Trust Wines

Partners Don Lewis and Narelle King made wine together for many years at Mitchelton and Priorat, Spain. Don came from a grapegrowing family in Red Cliffs, near Mildura and in his youth was press-ganged into working in the vineyard. When he left home he swore never to be involved in vineyards again, but in '73 found himself accepting the position of assistant winemaker to Colin Preece at Mitchelton, where he remained until his retirement 32 years later. Narelle, having qualified as a chartered accountant, set off to travel, and while in South America met a young Australian winemaker who had just completed a vintage in Argentina and who lived in France. The lifestyle appealed greatly, so on her return to Australia she obtained her winemaking degree from CSU and was offered work by Mitchelton as a bookkeeper and cellar hand. The estate-based wines are a reflection of Central Victorian style. Don passed away in 2017, causing much sadness for his innumerable friends. Narelle continues to make the Trust Wines from the Crystal Hill vineyard. -JAMES HALLIDAY