Savaterre is a biodynamic estate in the Beechworth region, founded in 1996 by winemaker Keppell Smith after a wide search across Australia's quality wine regions. The 40-hectare property at Everton Upper sits at 440 metres on ancient granitic "buckshot" soils over decomposed clay — terrain that delivers excellent drainage and sustained summer moisture. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are close-planted at 7,500 vines per hectare alongside Shiraz and the rare Italian variety Sagrantino. No pesticides are used; fermentation relies on exclusively indigenous yeasts; wines are neither fined nor filtered, with elevage in concrete vats and new tight-grained oak. Visits are by appointment.
Savaterre farms along biodynamic and organic principles — no pesticides, low inputs, indigenous yeasts — and is widely described as a biodynamic producer, though formal third-party certification status was not confirmed in public sources.
The estate grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Sagrantino (a rare Italian red variety). Wines are unfiltered, unfined and fermented with indigenous yeasts in outdoor concrete vats before ageing in tight-grained oak.
929 Beechworth-Wangaratta Road, Everton Upper VIC 3678 — a 440-metre property in the Beechworth wine region of north-east Victoria.
Tastings are by appointment. Contact the winery on +61 3 5727 0551 or via the website to arrange a visit.