The Gilbert family dates back to Australia since 1839, and as winemakers since 1847. In 2004 the father and son team, Simon and Will, began Gilbert Family Wines. Since then, they are hand- producing wines from Mudgee and Orange (the place! not to be confused with the wine style). The cool climates and long hours of sunshine result in fresh, vibrant, approachable wines that make for easy but great drinking.

Orange is defined by elevation, with all vineyard sites above 600 metres. Will Gilbert’s family draws grapes from their Mudgee vineyards, which are in a relatively cool spot at 520 metres, but they now focus their Gilbert label on producing wines from Orange. They source from various vineyards in the region, including the Borrodell Vineyard, which ranges over a positively lofty 930–1,030 metres. That’s very high for grapes, and typically very marginal, but with abundant sunshine and plenty of air movement to stall the progression of disease, it’s an exciting place to be growing grapes