Ottelia

Limestone Coast, South Australia

SUSTAINABLE - MINIMAL INTERVENTION

John and Melissa Innes moved to Coonawarra 25 years ago, intending to stay briefly but instead building a lifelong connection to the Limestone Coast. Inspired by the region’s diverse terroir, John, an experienced winemaker and consultant, founded Ottelia, sourcing fruit from Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Mount Benson, and Mount Gambier.

Early in his career, John trained under Carlo Corino, who instilled a philosophy of preserving a wine’s natural vinous quality and ensuring it complements food. This approach emphasizes minimal intervention, letting the vineyard dictate the wine’s structure and flavor without excessive tannins or oak.

Ottelia works with sustainably managed vineyards, minimizing synthetic inputs while focusing on optimal ripeness and balance. Their wines reflect pure fruit expression, a deep respect for terroir, and a commitment to quality winemaking with minimal impact. For John and Melissa, great wine is born in the vineyard, not the winery.

2022 TASCHINI ‘SKINSY’AMBER

Taschini’s ‘Skinsy’ Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc blend is a unique and innovative take on skin-contact wine. Combining elements of barrel fermentation and skin contact, this unique blend offers a natural, enjoyable flavor. A surefire way to delight even the most discerning palates.

2022 TASCHINI LIGHT RED - GRIS, SANGIO, GRACIANO

This is a fun and juicy number inspired by picnics, pals and sunshine. Co-fermented Pinot Gris, Sangiovese and Graciano. The trio you never knew you needed.

2022 TASCHINI ‘BUNCHY’ CABERNET

Taschini’s ‘Bunchy’ Cabernet is a reimagining of Coonawarra Cabernet, inspired by the naysayers. This light and fun wine is made from 100% whole bunch, yielding bright red fruit aromas and a balanced, fresh palate. Not your usual Coonawarra Cab, but still delicious.

2023 OTTELIA RIESLING - MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

John Innes is a 30-year veteran of Coonawarra, with a deep knowledge of it and the surrounding region that he is putting to good use with his Ottelia project.

Produced from grapes grown on the Innes family vineyard in Mount Gambier, the 2023 Ottelia Riesling is another intensely flavoured and complex Riesling, with fragrant aromas of lime, lemon thyme and citrus blossom leaping out of the glass. The palate is beautifully structured with citrus, herbal and mineral notes balanced with lively natural acidity, leading to a long, clean finish. 

2023 OTTELIA PINOT GRIS - LIMESTONE COAST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The 2023 Ottelia Pinot Gris is made from a blend of fruit sourced from Mount Gambier and Robe, within the Limestone Coast wine region. A Pinot Gris of vibrancy and character, this offers lifted aromas of fresh green apples, pear and lemon zest. The palate delivers subtle spice and minerality with apple and citrus flavours supported by some lively acidity. This is a high quality Australian Pinot Gris that offers plenty of appeal as a drink-now proposition.

2023 OTTELIA SAUVIGNON BLANC - MOUNT GAMBIER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The grapes come from the Ellis family’s Mount Gambier vineyard, an emerging region whose cool climate helps produce fruit with a unique profile. This medium bodied Sauvignon Blanc carries aromas of passionfruit and grapefruit, with a nua…

2023 OTTELIA CHARDONNAY - LIMESTONE COAST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The vineyards are planted in fractured flinty limestone, which forms much of the surface cover in this relatively flat but undulating area lying a few meters above sea level. Underlying the limestone is a ribbon of shallow but fertile soil that allows the vines to develop in this challenging soil profile. The surface limestone is very flinty and this contributes to the mineral elements and hint of gun smoke character in the wine.

2019 OTTELIA SANGIOVESE - LIMESTONE COAST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

This bright and sunny Sangiovese from the always-reliable folk at Ottelia was love at first sip. As with most Sangiovese wines, this bottle really calls out to be paired with the kind of flavourful, laid-back dining the Tuscan Italians do so well… and it’s going to be perfect with all your family favourite dishes. Spaghetti bolognese, lasagna, pizza, tomato ragu, arrabiata, spaghetti alla puttanesca are all traditional pairings, and you’ll also find great results with tomato-based curries, chilli con carne, rare steaks, and mushroom dishes, too.

2018 OTTELIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - COONAWARRA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The famed environment of Coonawarra creates perfect grape growing conditions. Working closely with vineyard owners, winemaker John has selected parcels of wine that have been blended to capture the essence of Coonawarra’s finest variety. Ottelia’s Cabernet Sauvignon brings true depth of colour with inviting cherry and plum aromas and flavours that are full, rich and quite delicious. Introduce yourself and enjoy with all forms of belly cheer.