Latta Vino

Coghills Creek, Victoria

SUSTAINABLE - MINIMAL INTERVENTION - VEGAN

Owen Latta is a generational winemaker from Coghills Creek, where his family planted Eastern Peake vineyard in the early 1980s—an ideal cool-climate site identified by Trevor Mast for premium Pinot Noir. This deep connection to terroir shaped Owen’s philosophy, leading him to establish LATTA VINO, a project focused on alternative varietals from lesser-known Western Victoria subregions.

Since 2012, Owen has crafted small-batch, expressive wines with a minimal intervention approach, allowing each vineyard to speak for itself. His Sauvignon Blanc follows Loire Valley techniques—wild fermented, aged on lees, and textured yet precise. His Precarious 02 Bianco, a co-ferment of multiple varieties, defies classification, blending innovation with tradition.

LATTA VINO is a balance of creativity and precision, respecting classic winemaking while pushing boundaries. Owen’s wines challenge convention, capturing both place and personality in every bottle, making him a standout voice in Western Victoria’s wine scene.

2022 LATTA DEXTEROUS CONTACT PINOT GRIS (ZERO SO2) – HENTY, VIC

The growers for this wine are Greg & Marg May, old family friends who have a mixed agriculture farm in Blampied (15 mins down the road), the May Family have thoughtfully farmed in the area for four generations (the road they live on even displays their surname) they were some of the earliest adoptive farmers in Australia to become fully certified organic with NASSA back in 1989. Greg decided to plant Gris, Tempranillo & Lagrien in 2005. This is a great site in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the district. Wine making is a nod in the direction of those wines, all destemmed, one full weeks on skins, Zero SO2, barrelled down for 10 months then bottled without any sulphur.

2022 LATTA MOONAMBEL QUARTZ BIANCO – PYRENEES, VIC

This is one of my favourite sites to work with, there’s only one white varietal grown on this property & that would be Sauvignon Blanc. Tended by Geoff & Julie Mullen in Moonambel, Pyrenees. It’s a beautiful south facing slope, row orientation north-south, surrounded by disorganised chaos in the best kind of way. Sitting at 330m altitude & planted with clone F4V6. This is a very good vineyard, in a very unique location hidden away from the passerby’s, slightly off the beaten track, you’d never know it existed. 100% dry farmed solely relying on rainfall, heavy quartz & Ironstone over red/grey clays, minimal top soil. Very simple winemaking, All whole bunch pressed straight to stainless, the juice is left to ferment on its own with zero additions. Left to rest on full lees for 11 months then bottled. Every year this wine always has an incredible structure, salivating acid, bright & glossy, but the tannin structure is wild, kind of like licking one of those gnarly quartz rocks out in the vineyard. A few seasons ago on dusk while sampling for a harvest date, I was so intrigued that I kneeled down to lick one one of these large white rocks & I can attest that it is true the tannin feels somewhat similar to what is in the wine.

2022 LATTA ‘BAD REPUTATION’ BLANC - VIOGNIER - PYRENEES, VIC

Viognier is probably not the most highly sought-after wine, unfortunately its slightly tainted by the more opulent styles of the grape, high ripeness, full flavour & low acidity, wines that are set for gastronomic experiences & not for refreshment value/drinking/interest. The question here is why does Viognier have to walk that line? It’s well known I love chardonnay in all forms (especially textured, salty, slightly oxidative interesting ones) & I think that Viognier can lend its powers to show that it can step up to be a really interesting great refreshing textured white wine. The fruit for this is grown by Cory hope in the Landsborough valley under strict certified organic practice, the vineyard sits at 330 meters altitude on Well drained soil composed of loose shattered quartz, shale & siltstone. Due to the low acid nature of the grape, this particular clone & the site is harvested earlier to capture acid & freshness. Once harvested it’s all whole bunch pressed on a slow gentle cycle, juice is left to settle overnight & transferred to 300 & 228L casks (same as we would for chardonnay). the juice is left to ferment on its own with zero additions. Left to rest on full solid lees untouched for 11 months then racked & bottled

2021 LATTA ’FRESCA’ SANGIOVESE

This is grown by Cory Hope on the Certified Organic Shays Flat Site in the Landsborough Valley Pyrenees. The 2021 season was plentiful, good-sized crops across the board. The Sangiovese had a bigger crop than expected & slowed towards the end with its ripening, losing a bit of leaf. It seemed like it was close to being harvest & was picked to avoid anymore deterioration on the fruit. Fermented in stainless, pressed after 8 days to keep freshness, then barrelled down for 12 months in a variety of casks 225, 300, 500 & 600L. It was light and fresh with heaps of detail & great acid, it was very interesting to find the wine was 10% alc, it tastes like 12%. Hard to believe this wine is low in alcohol but tastes like it’s the right vibe.

2022 LATTA ESSENTIAL CRISIS PET NAT - SAUVIGNON BLANC - MOONAMBEL VIC

Unfined, Unfiltered. Zero additions. Petillant natural wine. Smashing and smashable! Think of it more as a grape cider. Not for the faint hearted. 

2022 LATTA ‘PRECARIOUS’ CONTINUOUS FERMENT WHITE

The 2022 Latta Precarious Continuous Ferment White is likely a bold and intriguing white wine. Expect a burst of citrus fruits like tangerine on the nose, complemented by floral and spicy hints. The continuous fermentation adds complexity, with a zesty acidity balancing flavors that might range from stone fruits to tropical notes. A touch of nuttiness or a richer character could emerge from the oxidative influence, creating a unique and memorable white wine experience.

2022 LATTA ‘RATTLESNAKE’ AMBER - PYRENEES, VIC - RIZZ, VIOGNIER, SB, PG, GEWURZT, CHARD

This wine is Made from traditional varieties not using any classic or fine wine methods.
Its always all a bit of an experiment creating the rattlesnake, classic varietals are pushed beyond their boundaries to see what can happen. It’s also important to remember the vineyards are the real stars, these sites produce exceptional fruit reflecting their place.
This wine is made up of many different skin contact ferments. they were assembled all together & bottled in November.

Region: Ballarat, VIC
Blend: Riesling, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer
ABV:
Closure: 750ml

2022 LATTA ‘BENEVOLENT’ CABERNET FRANC - HARCOURT, VIC

The Benevolent is back with a slight change up, both sites Redbank & Harcourt have been used to produce this cuvee in 2022.
The wine is in the same vein as the pervious vintage – juicy, bright, light & refreshing with loads of detail shown from this low cropping significant vineyard site. Fennel, red fruits, blueberries, white pepper & spice.

Region: Pyrenees, VIC
Blend: Cabernet Franc (100%)
ABV:
Closure: 750ml

2022 LATTA ‘GLEN HOPE’ MALBEC - PYRENEES, VIC - LIMITED AVAILABILITY

All destemmed tipped straight into 4000L open concrete fermenters (wax lined), pump overs twice a day, pressed after 8 days, 6 months élevage in various sized casks. racked & bottled.
The Parish of Glen Hope in the macedon ranges was where the Latta family FIRST SETTLED IN AUSTRALIA AFTER EMIGRATING FROM Taughboyne, IRELAND IN 1865. they farmed there for over 130 years, initially cattle then progressing to sheep (specialising in fine wool merinos). its been a fascinating experience to produce wine from the area of glen hope once farmed by our forbears (Glenhope vineyard lies 6km from the original Latta farm).

2022 LATTA ‘WILD WEST RED’ - PYRENEES, VIC

It’s back, it’s good, it’s great it’s Mataro, Grenache, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Lagrein & Shiraz. All our favourites from Western & Central Victoria. A delicious blend, evolving spectrum of profile, textures & flavour. while still keeping it fresh & super interesting.

Region: Western Victoria, VIC
Blend: Mataro, Grenache, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Lagrein, Shiraz