De Bortoli Wines

De Bortoli Wines is an Australian family-owned wine company established in 1928 by Italian immigrants Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli. The business began in the Riverina region of New South Wales and developed through several generations of family management into one of Australia’s larger independent wine producers. Its principal base is at Bilbul, near Griffith, while its production and vineyard interests extend across the Riverina, Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, King Valley, and Rutherglen wine regions. The company’s identity combines large-scale commercial winemaking with a strong emphasis on regional expression and family continuity. De Bortoli produces everyday and premium table wines, sparkling wines, fortified wines, and dessert wines. Its best-known product is Noble One Botrytis Semillon, a sweet white wine made from grapes affected by noble rot. The wine was developed in the early 1980s by third-generation winemaker Darren De Bortoli while he was studying oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College. Its success helped establish the company as an important Australian producer of botrytised dessert wine and gave the brand a distinctive international profile. The company’s portfolio also includes Black Noble, a fortified botrytised Semillon matured in a solera-style barrel system; sparkling wines; rosé; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and other regional varieties. The Yarra Valley operations are associated with cool-climate wines and include a winery and restaurant complex managed by Leanne De Bortoli and her husband, winemaker Steve Webber. The Rutherglen acquisition in 2018 expanded the company’s regional footprint and added a historic Victorian wine property, vineyards, winery facilities, and tourism operations. Family leadership has remained central to the company. Deen De Bortoli, the son of the founders, helped guide the business’s expansion after joining it as a teenager. His children subsequently assumed important operational and winemaking responsibilities. Darren De Bortoli serves as managing director and has overseen winemaking, while Leanne De Bortoli and Steve Webber have been associated with the Yarra Valley and King Valley businesses. The company has also invested in environmental management, recycling, integrated pest management, water reduction, winery-waste reuse, and sustainability programs. In 2022, De Bortoli was described as Australia’s seventh-largest wine company by production and sixth-largest by total revenue. It remains privately held and continues to sell wine in Australia and overseas. Its present positioning rests on a combination of family ownership, broad national regional coverage, accessible and premium products, and specialist authority in dessert and fortified wines.

De Bortoli Wines was founded in 1928 by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, Italian immigrants who established the family business in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The company’s early development was supported by their son Deen De Bortoli, who left school at 15 to work in the family enterprise. Under his direction, the winery expanded from its original base and became a significant Australian wine producer. Deen later served as chairman and remained closely associated with the business until his death in 2003. The second and third generations helped diversify the company geographically and stylistically. Deen and Emeri De Bortoli’s children became involved in the family business, preserving family control while extending operations into important Australian wine regions. The company established a presence in the Yarra Valley during the late 1980s, where Leanne De Bortoli and Steve Webber developed winery, vineyard, hospitality, and restaurant operations. Webber also became closely associated with the region’s winemaking and vineyard management. A major turning point came in the early 1980s, when Darren De Bortoli developed a botrytised Semillon while studying at Roseworthy Agricultural College. Semillon was particularly suitable because its thin skins and tight bunches allowed extensive, even infection by Botrytis cinerea under suitable conditions. The resulting wine won important awards, including recognition at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 1984. It was initially associated with the name Sauternes, but the product was renamed Noble One in 1990 after Australia agreed to phase out certain European geographical and traditional names on wine labels. Noble One subsequently became the company’s signature wine. Another historic product, Black Noble, originated as an idea attributed to Vittorio De Bortoli in the 1930s but was not commercially released until 1982. It is made from botrytised Semillon and fortified early in fermentation, then matured using a solera-style system of used barrels. This product reinforced the company’s association with Australian fortified and dessert wines. De Bortoli continued to build a multi-region production network. Its wineries are located at Bilbul in the Riverina, near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley, at Dixons Creek in the Yarra Valley, and at Rutherglen in Victoria. The Hunter Valley facility, formerly Wilderness Estate, was acquired in 2002. The Rutherglen property was added in 2018 through the acquisition of Rutherglen Estates’ vineyards, winery, and tourism facilities. Vineyards are also held or managed in the King Valley and the regions surrounding the wineries. The modern portfolio extends beyond dessert wine to sparkling wine, rosé, cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, fortified wine, and alternative varieties. The company introduced Rosé Rosé in 2018 and launched the One Line range from Rutherglen in late 2024. Premium estate wines are produced selectively, including Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yarra Valley, named in reference to Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba. Environmental stewardship has been a recurring part of the company’s long-term operating approach. Initiatives described for the business include integrated pest management, lower-water winery equipment, composting and recycling, reuse of winery wastewater, and participation in Australian and New South Wales sustainability programs. In 2022, the company was recognised as the first Platinum Partner of the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Program. De Bortoli remains privately owned by the De Bortoli family and continues to operate as a substantial Australian wine business with export activity.

1. 2024One Line range launches

   The Rutherglen portfolio expands with the One Line range, including lighter European-style varieties.

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2. 2022Sustainability Advantage Platinum Partner recognition

   De Bortoli becomes the first organisation awarded Platinum Partner status in the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Program.

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3. 2018Rutherglen Estates is acquired

   The acquisition adds vineyards, winery facilities, and a tourism operation in Victoria’s Rutherglen wine region.

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4. 2005Noble One closure trial begins

   The company tests screw-cap closures on part of the 750-millilitre 2003 Noble One release while retaining cork for other formats and export stock.

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5. 2003The company marks its 75th anniversary

   The family publishes Celebrazione! to commemorate 75 years of De Bortoli Wines. Chairman Deen De Bortoli dies the same year.

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6. 2002Hunter Valley winery acquired

   De Bortoli acquires the former Wilderness Estate winery near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley.

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7. 1990The dessert wine is renamed Noble One

   The wine formerly marketed under the name Sauternes adopts the Noble One name following changes involving European wine names.

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8. 1984Early international recognition for the botrytised Semillon

   The botrytised Semillon receives major recognition, including Best Botrytis Wine at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

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9. 1982Noble One is developed and Black Noble is commercially released

   Darren De Bortoli develops a botrytised Semillon while studying oenology, while Black Noble reaches the commercial market.

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10. 1930Black Noble concept originates

    The company’s later fortified botrytised Semillon is attributed to an idea developed by Vittorio De Bortoli during the 1930s.

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11. 1928De Bortoli Wines is founded

    Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli establish the family winery in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

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A multigenerational Australian family winery combining broad regional production with premium cool-climate wines and a specialist reputation for dessert and fortified wines.

• Noble One Botrytis SemillonDessert wine1982

  De Bortoli’s signature sweet white wine is made from Semillon affected by noble rot. Developed by Darren De Bortoli in the early 1980s, it became one of the company’s most recognised products after winning major domestic and international awards. The wine was formerly associated with the name Sauternes and adopted the Noble One name in 1990.

• Black NobleFortified dessert wine1982

  Black Noble is a fortified botrytised Semillon made from noble-rot-affected fruit. It is fortified early in fermentation and matured through a solera-style system using used barrels, producing a blended wine with substantial age and concentrated dried-fruit, cocoa, coffee, and nut-like characteristics.

• Rosé RoséRosé wine2018

  Introduced in 2018, Rosé Rosé is a pale, dry rosé designed for contemporary Australian and international rosé drinking occasions. The 2022 vintage received a Master accolade at the 2023 Global Rosé Masters and was included in a 2023 top-ten rosé selection by The Drinks Business.

• De Bortoli Estate Vineyard Pinot NoirRed wine

  A cool-climate Pinot Noir made from De Bortoli’s Yarra Valley estate vineyards at Dixons Creek. The 2023 vintage received Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition, was rated 92 points at the 2024 International Wine Challenge, and received a 94-point rating in Ray Jordan’s 2024 Top 100 Reds.

• De Bortoli Estate Vineyard ChardonnayWhite wine

  A Yarra Valley Chardonnay from the Dixons Creek estate, which includes Chardonnay plantings dating to 1971. The wine is positioned as a cool-climate expression with bright citrus and orchard-fruit character. The 2023 vintage received a bronze medal at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

• De Bortoli One LineRegional wine range2024

  Launched from the Rutherglen portfolio in late 2024, One Line explores lighter European-style varieties in a region traditionally associated with fortified wines and robust reds. The range includes Pinot Grigio, Fiano, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese. Its 2024 Pinot Grigio won Best Pinot Gris/Grigio of Show at the 2025 National Wine Show of Australia.

• De Bortoli Melba Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonPremium red wine

  A selectively produced premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yarra Valley’s Melba Vineyard at Dixons Creek. The name references Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba. The wine is made only in exceptional vintages and is known for concentrated black-fruit, cedar, tobacco, cocoa, and finely structured tannin character.

• 2024Launch the One Line rangeProduct launch

  The Rutherglen region is strongly associated with fortified and full-bodied red wines, while consumer interest has also grown in lighter, alternative varieties.

  What changed. De Bortoli introduced One Line with varieties such as Pinot Grigio and Fiano, alongside Tempranillo and Sangiovese.

  Aftermath. The range received multiple show and competition medals, including a major 2025 trophy for its Pinot Grigio.

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• 2018Acquire Rutherglen EstatesM&A

  De Bortoli sought to expand its regional production and tourism footprint in Victoria.

  What changed. The company acquired Rutherglen Estates’ vineyards, winery, and tourism facilities.

  Aftermath. Rutherglen became De Bortoli’s fourth winery location and later provided the base for the One Line range.

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• 2005Trial alternative closures for Noble OneOther

  The winery sought to address concerns about cork taint and preserve fruit intensity and freshness in bottled dessert wine.

  What changed. Screw caps were used on half of the 750-millilitre bottles of the 2003 Noble One release, while cork remained in other formats and export stock.

  Aftermath. The trial formed part of the company’s broader experimentation with closure technology; the cited material does not establish a later universal closure policy.

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• 1990Rename the company’s signature dessert wine Noble OneStrategy

  The wine had previously been marketed using the name Sauternes, but changes associated with Australia’s agreement to phase out certain European wine names required a new label identity.

  What changed. De Bortoli adopted the name Noble One for its botrytised Semillon.

  Aftermath. Noble One became the enduring name and principal flagship identity of the company’s dessert-wine business.

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• 2018Controversy over Darren De Bortoli’s social-media postsControversy

  Personal social-media postings by managing director Darren De Bortoli were reported internationally as sexist and inappropriate. The episode generated reputational criticism connected to the winery and its senior family leadership.

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• 2024De Bortoli introduces the One Line range from Rutherglen

  The One Line range broadened the Rutherglen portfolio with lighter European-style varieties including Pinot Grigio and Fiano.

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• 2022De Bortoli receives Platinum Partner recognition in NSW sustainability program

  De Bortoli became the first organisation recognised as a Platinum Partner under the New South Wales Government’s Sustainability Advantage Program.

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• 2018De Bortoli expands its winery network through Rutherglen acquisition

  The company acquired the vineyards, winery, and tourism facilities of Rutherglen Estates, adding a fourth winery and a major Victorian regional presence.

  M&A
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1. De Bortoli Wines
2. De Bortoli Wines official website