Dilworth and Allain

Macedon, Victoria

SUSTAINABLE, MINIMAL INTERVENTION

Dilworth and Allain is a small négociant-style winery run by Chris Dilworth and Loique Allain, a family of four based in Hepburn, Victoria. They work with three vineyards in the Macedon Ranges, managing two themselves, producing just 350-400 dozen bottles annually.

Chris grew up in hospitality, later moving to a farm in the Hunter Valley, where he developed a passion for viticulture. After studying winemaking in Adelaide, he worked vintages in Barossa, Tasmania, Tuscany, and Burgundy with Dominique Lafon and Castello dei Rampolla.

Loique, an artist with a Fine Arts degree, developed a deep love for wine while living in Italy and France. She worked harvests in Burgundy and McLaren Vale, gaining hands-on experience in the craft.

Together, they create wines that reflect their journey, blending artistic and cultural influences with their commitment to terroir-driven, cool-climate winemaking.

2022 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN MOONAMBEL BLANC – PYRENEES, VIC

We first made this wine in 2017, which is sourced from Taltarni Estate. Moonambel is a rural town located in the hilly ranges of the Pyrenees in Western Victoria. Characterised by cool evenings and warm days. Established in 1972 by Californian businessman John Goelat. The stature of the business grew every vintage. By the early 80’s the wines were well renowned. The vineyards are planted on gentle slopes in a valley with well drained sandy loam over a clay base, with quartz interspersed, which we believe works amazingly well for this wine. Picked on the 10th of March, the Sauvginon Blanc (60%) and Chardonnay (40%) were picked and fermented together. The grapes for both were whole bunch pressed and fermented in French oak. Remaining in oak, maturing ‘on lees’ for 9 months. Racked off lees and blended in February allowed to settle and bottled in March. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no other additives other than a small amount of Sulphur Dioxide. This wine offers aromas of floral and citrus fruits notes with nougat, lemongrass and ginger in the mix. The palate is driven with high acid along with a waxy mouth coating texture that is very refreshing but with great length of flavour.

2022 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN FRANKLINFORD PINOT GRIS, MACEDON RANGES, VIC

The small community of Franklinford sits in the North Western corner of the Macedon Ranges. The vineyard sits near the foothills of Lalgambrook (Mt Franklin) on rich dark volcanic basalt. The vineyard is 10 acres in size with our Dolcetto also grown here.The vineyard was then purchased by Julie and Peter Kent in 2018. They fell in love with the area and are refining the way the property is farmed. We have stopped using systemic herbicides and fungicides which is a huge step in the right direction. The Franklinford Gris is powerful and fresh. Offering a flavour spectrum of pears, stone fruit and spice. Its fully ripe but with plenty of acidity to balance. Hand-picked on March 18th and transported back to the winery where the fruit was destemmed and soaked on skins for 48 hours. Pressed to tank the following day. 80% of the juice was fermented and aged in French Barriques and the other 20% was fermented and aged in tank. Remaining in these vessels, maturing ‘on lees’ for 9 months. Racked off lees and blended in January, allowed to settle and bottled in February. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no other additives other than a small amount of Sulphur Dioxide before bottling.

2022 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘COUP DE FOUDRE’ BLANC - MACEDON RANGES, VIC

A regional blend of 2 different vintages, which is aimed at being delicious and refreshing. The Riesling was fermented on skins and the Sauvignon and Chardonnay were whole punch pressed. All 3 varieties were aged in a mix of seasoned oak and stainless steel. Remaining “on lees” throughout the elevage period, building texture and complexity. Racked “off lees” and blended in January and bottled in March 2023. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no other additives other than a small amount of Sulphur Dioxide.

Light straw in colour, filled with aromas of lemon rind, orange blossom and shortbread combined with dried herbs, such as chamomile. On the palate the citrus flavours are reinforced and we find a focused and linear wine with a tonic like feeling, which encourages you to take another sip. The Elevated Whisper is a vibrant wine with a textural component which adds to its appeal.

2020 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘COUP DE FOUDRE’ BABYLON - MACEDON RANGES, VIC

A blend of 40% Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir, 40% Pyrenees Grenache and 20% Macedon Ranges Dolcetto. The 3 different grape varieties were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks and blended post ferment and press. The Pinot Noir and Grenache both had around 50% whole bunch in the mix and the Dolcetto was all de-stemmed. After blending the Babylon was matured in tank on fine lees. In January 2022 (after about 10 months maturation) it was racked off lees and bottled shortly after. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with no other additives other than a small amount of Sulphur Dioxide before bottling. This wine sits in a refreshing zone, although it weighs in at 14.5% alcohol. Fruit driven and a real winter warmer, a more ‘masculine’ offering. It delivers a wonderful mix of texture and flavour. Our intention was to create a wine with fruit intensity and high drinkability!

2022 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘FRANKLINFORD’ DOLCETTO - MACEDON RANGES, VIC

The Franklinford Dolcetto offers aromas of cooked berries and plums along with liquorice and aniseed. It is a full bodied, powerful wine that is fruit driven with a floral lift, along with spice, game meat and alpine herb characters. The acidity, fruit profile and tannin all sit very nicely together leaving a lasting impression.

2022 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘SHAY’S FLAT’ GRENACHE - PYRENEES, VIC

Shay’s Flat vineyard sits amid red-earthed Occa scrubland, but the bouquet in this timeless Grenache is somehow more Boreal. Woodsy florals; lavender, dried herbs, alpine air. A wintry warm spice bowl of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Spice complexity rarely enjoyed in so youthful a wine, and a bright future ahead.

2023 DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘COUP DE FOUDRE’ PINOT NOIR - MACEDON RANGES, VIC - LIMITED

An exceptional Pinot Noir that captures the cool-climate elegance of the Macedon Ranges. The nose is a complex blend of ripe cherries, raspberries, and hints of dried herbs, with subtle undertones of forest floor and earthy spices. On the palate, the wine is smooth and refined, offering flavors of red berries, cranberry, and a touch of sweet oak. The fine tannins and crisp acidity provide balance, leading to a long, silky finish with a lingering note of crushed violets. Ideal for pairing with roasted duck, seared tuna, or wild mushroom dishes.

Vintage	Wine	Availability
2021	DILWORTH AND ALLAIN COPE ‘SPARKLE MOTION’ PET NAT	SOLD OUT
2022	DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘COUP DE FOUDRE’ PINOT NOIR	SOLD OUT
2021	DILWORTH AND ALLAIN COPE ‘SPARKLE MOTION’ PET NAT	SOLD OUT
2021	DILWORTH AND ALLAIN ‘COPE-WILLIAMS VINEYARD’ CHARDONNAY	SOLD OUT
2022	DILWORTH AND ALLAIN COPE ‘THE GLUT FARM’ ROSE	SOLD OUT