Grandfather Antonio Belsito, Italy 1966

Our Story

Vince Corniola is the chief winemaker at Corniola Wines. His connection to wine runs deep in his veins, inherited from his winemaker grandfather, Antonio. 

The above photo was taken in 1964, with Vince standing front left at the age of 10. He grew up on the family farm in the hills of Montalto Uffugo, Italy. Vince spent his childhood helping his parents and grand parents cultivate fruits and vegetables, while learning to craft everything by hand on their self-sustainable farm. From wine to olive oil and even wheat flour. With no electricity until 1960, it was a humble way of life rooted in centuries of tradition. 

 

Their traditions were brought to Australia in 1965. As young immigrants, Vince's family set out to build a new life and seek better opportunities. Vince married Lucy in 1976 who shared the same Italian heritage and passion for food, wine and family. They spent 27 successful years running a beloved Italian restaurant in Carlton. However, their true calling beckoned them towards the world of winemaking. 

 

Corniola Wines was established in 1996. Vince and Lucy finally realized their cherished dream when they acquired a picturesque 10-acre vineyard nestled in the Yarra Valley in 2008. Their wines are a liquid expression of the valley, infused with the essence of Italian heritage. Vince and Lucy's passion and joy of sharing food and wine with family, is reflected in every drop, fueling Vince’s drive to create exceptional wines. 

Our Vineyard

Nestled on a north-facing slope, the vineyard offers breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley, one of Australia's premier cool climate wine regions. It has became the perfect canvas for our winemaking ambitions. Our wines are crafted onsite from very low-yielding vines, from hand-harvested grapes, first planted in the 1970's and 1990's. We are focused on making small quantities of premium wines, with intense flavours showcasing Yarra Valley's regional characteristics. We produce fruit-forward wines allowing the true character of the grapes to shine through in every bottle, by using traditional methods with minimal interference and very little use of preservatives. 

Our Vision For The Future

Our primary focus lies in creating premium, high-quality wines that adopt environmentally sustainable practices, so to leave a legacy for future generations. We take pride in looking after the health of the soil and vines, using organic fertilizers tailored specifically for our soil to maintain the natural balance of our ecosystem and reduce our environmental footprint on the land. We thoughtfully manage waste reduction through composting/recycling and take great care in conserving water resources.

Our Vision For The Future

Our primary focus lies in creating premium, high-quality wines that adopt environmentally sustainable practices, so to leave a legacy for future generations. We take pride in looking after the health of the soil and vines, using organic fertilizers tailored specifically for our soil to maintain the natural balance of our ecosystem and reduce our environmental footprint on the land. We thoughtfully manage waste reduction through composting/recycling and take great care in conserving water resources.