OPIAH
(o-pi-ah)noun
1. A bunch of fools.
Alex Chamberlain
Steve Collette
Andrew Francis
Michael Francis
Simone Francis
Paul Hallam
Brad Skinner
Adrienne Lee
James Leong
Travis Lewis
Scott Porter
Mary Studdert
Mark Teoh
Our
STORY
These fools agreed with each other that we could make premium wines. We start with premium fruit, premium French oak barrels and Dylan McMahon – winemaker and friend.
This is not a commercial venture. It is about making the best wines each year we can. We started in 2015 and after losing Andy to leukaemia in 2019 have kept the project with the same ethos. As Andy used to ask, “What can we do better this year?”
Our
PINOT NOIR
The 2020 and 2021 Opiah Pinot Noir wines from Victoria’s Yarra Valley are crafted by Dylan McMahon of Seville Estate, utilizing fruit from the Swallowield Vineyard. Both vintages underwent maturation in one-third new French oak barrels, imparting subtle spice and structure to the wines.
The 2020 vintage relects the challenges of a cooler, shorter growing season, resulting in a wine with delicate red fruit notes, ine tannins, and a reined, mineral-driven inish. In contrast, the 2021 vintage beneited from near-perfect conditions, producing a Pinot Noir with vibrant aromatics, greater concentration, and a silky texture. The use of Swallowield Vineyard fruit, known for its elevation and volcanic soils, contributes to the wines' elegance and complexity.
Dylan McMahon's winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to express itself. His experience, including international vintages in Alsace and Burgundy, informs his nuanced handling of Pinot Noir, resulting in wines that are both expressive and age-worthy.
These Opiah Pinot Noirs exemplify the potential of Yarra Valley's cool-climate viticulture, offering a harmonious balance of fruit purity, oak integration, and regional character.
Our
SHIRAZ
The Yarra Valley's cool climate contributes to Shiraz wines that are elegant and restrained, often showcasing red and black fruit characteristics with subtle spice notes. McMahon's commitment to quality and his deep understanding of the region's viticulture have positioned Seville Estate as one of the early champions of Shiraz in the area.
Although detailed tasting notes for the 2020 and 2021 Opiah Shiraz are not readily available, McMahon's reputation and the Yarra Valley's distinctive climate suggest these wines likely exhibit a balance of vibrant fruit lavors and reined structure. For those interested in exploring the nuances of Yarra Valley Shiraz, seeking out these vintages could provide insight into McMahon's winemaking prowess and the region's potential for producing high-quality Shiraz.
Our
CHARDONNAY
The 2020 and 2021 Seville Estate Chardonnays, crafted by Dylan McMahon in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, exemplify the region’s cool-climate elegance and terroir-driven precision. Sourced from estate-grown fruit on the Upper Yarra’s volcanic soils, these wines relect McMahon’s minimal-intervention philosophy and deep understanding of site expression.
The 2020 vintage, shaped by a cooler growing season, offers a restrained yet focused proile. Hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, the wine underwent wild yeast fermentation in French oak hogsheads, resulting in a Chardonnay that prioritizes freshness and purity . It presents delicate citrus and white stone fruit notes, underpinned by a linear acidity and subtle oak inluence, culminating in a mineral-driven inish.
The 2021 vintage beneited from near-perfect conditions, yielding a more expressive and layered Chardonnay.Brilliant pale straw in color, it reveals aromas of nectarine, citrus, and hints of grapefruit, complemented by dried honey and gun lint nuances. The palate is fresh and elegant, featuring vibrant nectarine and citrus fruits over a subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat, and delicate gun lint-infused backdrop. Gently creamy in texture, it inishes with good energy and length.
Both vintages showcase McMahon’s commitment to crafting Chardonnays that are both expressive and relective of their unique terroir, offering a harmonious balance of fruit purity, oak integration, and regional character.