Silverwaters Vineyard reborn

A much-loved local wine label has been reinvented and is re-entering the market.

When Emily and Hercules van der Walt bought the Silverwaters Vineyard six years ago, they were fulfilling a dream to buy a block of land.

Hercules had grown up on a cattle farm in South Africa and always wanted to have his own land. For Emily, the block looked perfect – close to Melbourne and near the ocean.

Emily admits the decision to buy the property was spontaneous, after spotting it while holidaying on Phillip Island one long weekend. The fact that the land was covered in grape vines was a secondary consideration.

“We had no experience in the wine industry,” said Emily.

“When we got here, the vineyard was being leased by Rick at Purple Hen. We continued the lease and he started to teach us about running a vineyard.”

Over the next six years, guided by local winemakers, the couple learned the ropes of the industry and began working with Marcus Satchell from Dirty 3 Wines.

Initially selling the grapes to different wine makers, last year the couple decided to take the plunge and make their own wine.

When they found out the Silverwaters name was still available, they opted to relaunch the label.

“We spoke to the previous owner who was happy for us to continue the name on,” Emily said.

“The label was popular and people in the region knew it. Plus, we are using the same grapes, and Marcus worked with the last owners as well.”

The new Silverwaters Vineyard range was launched this year, featuring a Pinot Gris and a Cabernet Shiraz,  The range will soon be expanded, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay being bottled in December, and in February next year, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

“Everything under the Silverwaters label is from this vineyard. We don’t blend. People are excited it’s back and back to the same quality. Lots of people are saying it’s the best Pinot Gris ever.”

The wine is sold through the vineyard’s online store, which offers free local delivery, with no minimum purchase.

People can order ahead and have the wine delivered to their home, their holiday house, caravan or hotel.

Silverwaters Vineyard also stocks a “project series”, called the Malusa Project (the name is based on the first two letters of the couple’s three daughters’ names).

“This is wine we have sourced from elsewhere, of varieties that we don’t grow. We’ve collaborated with other wine makers from different regions within Australia.”

All orders are gift wrapped, can be shipped Australia wide and offers include a mixed 6 or dozen across the two labels.

Emily hopes local wine-lovers embrace the new generation of Silverwaters wines, which the family have poured their heart and soul into.

“This is a family run business. We are out in the vineyard every weekend and the kids are there helping too.”

You can follow their story on Facebook and Instagram, and order online at silverwatersvineyard.com.au