Wine with altitude: Tessa Brown from Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, winemaker Tessa Brown shares her remarkable journey from growing up on a sugarcane farm in Queensland to establishing boutique winery Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown in Beechworth. Tessa opens up about the challenges and triumphs of winemaking, the importance of careful site selection, and her philosophy of capturing purity of fruit in their wines. She discusses the benefits of collaboration with neighbouring vineyards, the unique impact of high altitude viticulture, and insights into their range, including riesling and nebbiolo. Connect with us: Halliday Wine Companion: https://winecompanion.com.au/ Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram:   / winecompanion   Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown on Instagram:   / vsandbwines   Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown: https://www.vsandb.com.au/ Halliday Wine Club: https://winecompanion.com.au/wine-club Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion: https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/pro... LANGTONS: https://www.langtons.com.au/ LANGTONS on Instagram:   / langtonsfinewine   Key Takeaways: Tessa’s path to winemaking was inspired by her family’s experience with commodity farming. A visit to a cellar door revealed the deep connection between growers and consumers, influencing her decision to study viticulture. Establishing Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown required careful planning and mentorship from industry experts. The Beechworth property was undeveloped, offering a blank canvas for innovative viticulture. Grape varieties were chosen based on site potential and Tessa’s personal taste preferences. Early challenges included delayed harvests due to bushfires, with the first successful commercial harvest in 2021. Collaborating with neighbouring vineyards has proven mutually beneficial. High altitude vineyards provide advantages such as better acid retention and distinct flavour profiles. The Obstgarten range showcases a modern approach to riesling and other varieties, inspired by European – specifically German – techniques. Tessa’s winemaking philosophy focuses on minimal intervention to highlight the essence of the fruit. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Acknowledging the Land and Introduction to Winemaking 03:00 From Sugarcane to Vines: Tessa’s Journey 05:59 Establishing Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown 09:02 The Beechworth Property: A New Beginning 11:40 Choosing Varieties: The First Plantings 14:59 Harvesting and Early Challenges 17:40 Collaborations and Neighboring Vineyards 20:29 High Altitude Winemaking: Influence on Wine 23:39 The Obstgarten Range: A New Direction 26:42 Winemaking Philosophy: Capturing Purity of Fruit 29:51 Future Plans and Cellar Door Experience