Since the first vintage of Charles Melton Wines in 1984, this small Barossa Valley winery has gained both national and international recognition for its fine red table wines.
The wines move from a light red, ‘The Rose of Virginia’ through to Australia’s premier Rhone-style red, ‘Nine Popes’. Charlie Melton also makes small quantities of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Shiraz, and is the only Australian producer of a vin-santo styled dessert wine, Sotto di Ferro.
Charlie was one of the first to recognise the value and tradition of the Barossa’s old vineyard Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. At a time when others were pulling out vineyards of Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, Charlie was convincing farmers to keep their historic vineyards. He was one of a small group of winemakers who helped retain the viticultural heritage of the Barossa.
CHARLES MELTON WAS ESTABLISHED
Charles Melton released its first wine and sparkling red.
1984
GOURMET WEEKEND
In August Charles Melton launched at the very first Barossa Valley Gourmet Weekend.
1986
CELLAR DOOR OPENING
At the start of 1987, Charles Melton opened its cellar door to the public.
1987
FIRST VINTAGE
The first vintage of our flagship wine Nine Popes
1988
INTERNATIONAL EXPORT
Charles Melton exported its first order internationally to the UK. The business still works with the same Importer in the UK.
1992
THE KIRCHE OPENING
Charles Melton expanded with a new winery & barrel sheds built, and The Kirche Guesthouse opened.
2009
25 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
On the June long weekend, Charles Melton celebrated it's 25 Years anniversary.
2010
BEST AUSTRALIAN RED
The 2014 Nine Popes was awarded Best Australian Red, Best South Australian Red & Best Barossa Valley Red Blend at the International Wine Challenge London
2017
SOPHIE MELTON RETURNS
Charlie and Virginia's daughter returns to the family business as Winemaker
2022
HISTORY OF THE NINE POPES
HOW WAS THE NINE POPES BORN
Around the time that Charlie was building his new winery and cellar door on Krondorf Road, the Australian Government was paying grape growers to pull out their old Barossa Shiraz and Grenache vines (known today as “the great vine-pull scheme”). The varieties had become unfashionable – Grenache being used mainly for cheap, high alcohol, fortified wines; Shiraz (in the darkest times) being made into Shiraz berry muffins.
Charlie, having seen the possibilities for Grenache and Shiraz throughout his travels in France, started experimenting in the vineyard. He began to prune the old vines harder so they would produce lower yields, and therefore concentrate more energy into fewer berries. These vineyards were “dry-grown” – a strategy of not irrigating the vines, so that they would produce intense, concentrated flavours, un-diluted by water.
WHY NINE POPES?
Chateauneuf du Pape, the region of France upon which Nine Popes is based, when translated to English means “Castle of the new Pope”, as it was the home to the alternate papacy in the 13th Century.
But in many of the old languages the word “neuf” can mean both “nine” and “new”. After Charlie had made the wine that was to become the first (as yet unnamed) Nine Popes, he cast around for clues to help him arrive at a name – as calling a wine “Charles Melton Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre” back in the ‘80s would have created as much excitement as (insert own local comparison here!!).
So, drawing on the only classic Grenache growing region in the world, he looked at Chateauneuf du Pape for inspiration and decided to give his wine a name that had a little Aussie twist that would avoid litigation with the French.
Problem was, his French skills were a tad light on (non-existent!!) and he thought Chateauneuf du Pape meant home of the “Nine” Popes… ‘nuff said?!!
