Originally from Wurttemberg in Germany, Timo Mayer settled in Australia in the mid 90's and has not looked back. Originally at De Bortoli with Steve Webber and Ian and June Marks at Gembrook Hill. Timo has plotted a course towards his own small farm with his wife Rhonda at the back of Healesville with its infamous Bloody Hill.

Single site wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet for the core of the label with some later additions of Gamay and Nebbiolo. Timo was an early adopter of whole bunch fermentation, which has re-popularised as a result, and has really blazed a trail pushing the boundaries of what wine from the Yarra could be.

There is never a dull moment when Timo is around nor when one of his wines are opened, nuanced and full of finesse yet with a savoury rustic charm from a good dose of whole bunch and almost everything relatively closely planted.

Cabernet is the backbone of the Yarra's history, and the St Huberts vineyard has a storied place in it which is where this fruit is sourced. Whole bunch cabernet sauvignon is a rare thing indeed and Timo is just the man for the job. Seeds and stalks bringing a line of freshness and structure that does not need the buttress of a large amount of new oak. Fruit forward that is bramble and cassis, fine tannins that cut a sleek path yet feel fresh and punchy in their youth. Slippery and moreish in its "i'm not your usual Cabernet" presentation in the glass thats all about vibrancy and drinkability.

Far from classic and wonderfully entertaining, much like its maker.