Terroir:
The fruit Stefani Estate works with shows a distinct difference between sites thanks to the variety of aspects and soil types. The Belaradah site with its northern aspect and deeper loam soils produce fresher and perfumed wines with great acid structure. Long Gully is planted closer to the bedrock and on heavier clay soils and produces wines with greater fruit concentration and natural tannin structure.
Heritage:
Rina and Stefano Stefani established their vineyards in 1998, planting six hectares across The View and The Gate on their family farm with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. In 2002, they expanded into Heathcote, focusing primarily on Shiraz. The acquisition of Belaradah in 2004, opposite The Gate, further strengthened their Yarra Valley holdings, with plantings centred on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their connection to Italian heritage emerged in 2003, when Stefano imported Sangiovese cuttings from Tuscany. Following years of quarantine and propagation, the first vineyard using the family’s clones was planted at The Gate in 2010. Since then, the estate has championed Sangiovese and other Italian varieties as part of the Yarra Valley’s future.
Philosophy:
Our philosophy is centred on expressing vintage, site, and farming through every wine. The View vineyard has been farmed organically since 2018 and, in 2022, became the first in the Yarra Valley to achieve full organic certification; all remaining vineyards followed and are now also certified organic. The Vigna Stefani wines are certified organic from the 2026 vintage, but have been produced with organic methods for some years. Sustainable practices are integral, with sheep grazing in winter and extensive use of summer cover crops to promote soil health, biodiversity, and beneficial insect life. In the winery, fermentation relies on natural yeasts, with all wines undergoing a minimum of 12 months’ élevage in barrel before being lightly fined and filtered prior to bottling.
People:
Rina and Stefano Stefani have played an integral role in building the family estate over the past 30 years. In 2022, their son Alessandro joined the business and, alongside vineyard manager Jeremy Fergusson, assumed responsibility for vineyard management and winemaking. Despite this transition, Rina and Stefano remain deeply involved in daily life on the property, tending to vegetable gardens, fruit and olive orchards, and a wide array of animals. Their hands-on approach continues at the cellar door, embodying the warmth and hospitality at the heart of the estate.
Beyond the Vine:
Stefani Estate offers a deeply personal, farm-based experience that reflects the family’s Italian heritage and hospitality. The cellar door is set among the vineyards with views over a lake populated by geese and native birdlife, creating a relaxed, immersive setting for visitors. Guests can enjoy Italian-inspired food, including wood-fired focaccia and curated charcuterie, alongside the wines, reinforcing a strong connection to Stefano’s Tuscan roots. The estate also offers on-site accommodation nestled within the vineyard, as well as event and wedding spaces, positioning it as a destination that blends wine, food, and rural lifestyle.
