Fred and Joel Pizzini – Pizzini wines

Fred and Joel Pizzini are a father/son team that produces renowned wines in north-east Victoria. Pizzini Wines is nestled in the heart of the King Valley, in between the ski slopes of Mount Bulla and Mount Hotham.

The Pizzini family migrated from the north of Italy to Australia in the '50s. Fred arrived as a young boy with his parents in 1956. His father and uncle became the biggest growers of tobacco in the Southern Hemisphere.

When a quota system was introduced in the '70s, the Pizzini partnership was split. The brothers started looking for properties with fertile soil and a consistent water supply. The King Valley had all of this as well as a good climate.

Fred says: 'It was around about 1978 when we first planted our vineyards in the King Valley. So it was about 30 odd years ago.'

The business continued as a family effort. Joel went off and studied winemaking at his father’s suggestion and is now in charge of making Pizzini wines. His three siblings Carlo, Natalie and Nicole are all involved in the business.

Joel describes his father as 'one of my best friends'. He is now a father himself and hopes he might work with his son.

Approximately 15 years ago the family decided to plant varieties that are native to Italy, like San Gervasi, which is a Tuscan, also known as Chianti.

'Then we worked with – with varieties like Nebiola, Barbedo and Docetto - food friendly wines.'

Food is important in the Pizzini family, with business meetings occurring around the dinner table. Fred gets pleasure from the knowledge that he shares his wine at his table with four generations of family and their friends.

When asked about the King Valley, both father and son agree that's a memorable place for its natural beauty and food traditions.

Joel says: 'It's got spectacular natural beauty and it’s got lovely wines and lots of really beautiful foods, yeah. And it's a great little place to raise a family.'

And Fred agrees: 'There's a real sense of warmth once you come into the valley… all the families and all the people that live in this valley…they’re very giving and happy to share their table.'