Our Vineyard

Small Scale, High-Density Viticulture

De la Bêche is a very small (0.5 hectare), high density vineyard located in the southwest of the Taradale township, in the Macedon Ranges wine region.

Taradale’s history stretches from the gold rush days back to its geological origins - the Ordovician period (485 million years ago) when it was an ancient seabed, rich in marine life.

The artwork - Duria Antiquior, by Henry de la Bêche, connects our interest in the geological origins of the land with our grape growing and winemaking.

We are the third and fourth generation farming this land. Our vineyard is planted to Aligoté, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, suited to Taradale’s continental climate and elevation.

De la Bêche translates to ‘of the spade’ which symbolises the importance of soil to our wines. The parent material is mudstone, sandstone, ironstone, and quartz, all of which contribute to our wines’ character.

Our Philosophy

Creating an environment for distinctive wines

De la Bêche’s close planted vines compete with each other for water and nutrients, this naturally reduces the yield per vine by producing smaller berries and bunches, concentrating flavours and tannins leading to more complexity and detail in our wines,

High density planting creates a unique microclimate in the vineyard which provides dappled light, reducing the negative impact of direct heat and sunlight on the canopy and crop.

De la Bêche wine is grown using (non-certified) organic principles. Wine making is kept simple using natural yeast for primary and Malo-lactic fermentation. All wines are aged in 228 L barrels and bottled 11 months after harvest, with a light filtration.

Our aim is to produce wines which achieve the best possible expression of our soil, climate and grape-growing practices at Taradale. We are excited to bring you our first releases from De la Bêche.

Viticulturist, Tim Brown, standing in a vineyard with grapevines, holding a wooden post with a wine bottle attached, under clear blue sky at the De la Beche Vineyard at Taradale, Victoria

Tim Brown

Founder

Tim started his viticulture career in 1990 at the renowned cool-climate vineyard, Virgin Hills, in the Macedon Ranges. Over the next three decades he refined his expertise working with other producers in the Macedon Ranges, and in other prominent cool-climate regions such as Canberra, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and New Zealand. He also completed two vintages (2024 and 2025) in Burgundy.

After taking over from his father David in 2020, Tim and his family have been transforming their small vineyard, with a vision to craft exceptional wines from Taradale’s soil.

  • A dirt trail winding through the Fryers State Conservation Forest with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
  • Various work gloves hanging on a clothesline outside the historic cottage (1850) at De la Beche, Taradale with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
  • A small lizard with gray and black patterned skin resting on a wooden surface.
  • Close-up of Green combed spider orchid flower with elongated petals and distinctive markings on a blurred natural background.
  • Close-up of tree bark covered in bright yellow lichen.
  • Close-up of a native flower at Taradale with many small buds and tiny leaves, set outdoors amidst a blurred background of foliage and branches.