Pinelli Wines

Domenic and Iolanda Pinelli emigrated from Italy in the mid '50s, and it was not long before Domenic was employed by Waldeck Wines, then one of the Swan Valley’s more important wineries. With the benefit of 20 years’ experience gained with Waldeck,in ’80 he purchased a 2.8ha vineyard that had been established many years previously. It became the site of the Pinelli family winery, cellar door and home vineyard, subsequently significantly expanded, with cabernet sauvignon, colombard, merlot and shiraz. Son Robert graduated with a degree in oenology from Roseworthy in 1987, and has been the winemaker at Pinelli for over 20 years. His brother Daniel obtained a degree in civil engineering from the University of WA in ’94, but eventually the lure of the family winery became too strong, so he joined his brother in ’02, and obtained his oenology degree from CSU in ’07. He graduated with distinction, and was awarded the Domaine Chandon Sparkling Wine Award for best sparkling wine production student. -JAMES HALLIDAY