From Verona to Victoria - The New Wave of Italian Grapes
Once upon a time, the Australian wine industry was dominated by familiar names you’ll know & love: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon. But walk through modern vineyards from Heathcote to the Riverland in 2025 and you might start spotting something different — Italian varietals. Grapes that once grew exclusively under the Tuscan sun are now thriving in our warm, sun-kissed soils, offering both winemakers and enthusiastic drinkers something excitingly fresh.
Here at St Anne’s Winery, our newest 2025 releases Vermentino and Fiano capture this shift perfectly. Grown in Victorian vineyards, these Mediterranean natives bring a whole new energy to Australian wine: crisp, bright, textural and perfectly suited to our outdoor Aussie lifestyle.
So what is bringing them down under to the sunburnt country?
Climate Compatibility: The Italian Advantage
As our summers onshore grow warmer and drier, winemakers are turning to grape varieties that bask in the heat — and few do it better than those from Italy’s southernmost regions.
- Vermentino, a Sardinian favourite, thrives in warm conditions while maintaining natural acidity and a saline freshness.
- Fiano, hailing from Campania, retains its structure and texture even under the Australian sun.
Both perform beautifully in Victoria’s Cambrian and volcanic soils, producing wines that are expressive, aromatic and made for food.
Consumer Curiosity Meets Mediterranean Living
Wine drinkers are also becoming more adventurous. They’re moving beyond the standard Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, looking for wines that tell a story, plus pair beautifully with the food they eat most – seafood, cheese, barbecued meats & more! That’s where Italian varietals shine: approachable, versatile, and distinctly European in flair, yet easy-drinking and unmistakably Australian in personality.
The St Anne’s Expression
Our Vermentino 2024 offers lifted citrus and herbal notes with a savoury, mineral edge — refreshing and light on its feet. Our Fiano 2024 brings pear, white peach and honeyed depth with a textured, mouth-coating finish that keeps you coming back.
Both wines embody what the future of Australian winemaking looks like: heritage grapes meeting modern Australian terroir.
