Adrian Rodda has been making wine since 1998. Originally working with David Bicknell at Oakridge, he was involved in the development of the superb Oakridge 864 Chardonnay, with his final contribution to this wine in 2009.
At the start of 2010, Adrian and his wife Christie moved to Beechworth and joined Mark Walpole, of Fighting Gully Road, to work on the Smiths Vineyard – which was planted to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot back in 1978.
From 2011, the range has grown to include a Bordeaux Blend, based around Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Smiths Vineyard (Beechworth), and a Tempranillo from the ‘Aquila Audax’ Vineyard (Beechworth) – this was Adrian’s first foray with a Mediterranean variety.
In 2012, Adrian commenced the ‘Chardonnay Project’: Where he works with established, premium Chardonnay vineyards across Victoria. Chardonnay is sourced from the ‘Willowlake’ Vineyard in the Yarra Valley, which is vinified in parallel with the ‘Smiths’ Vineyard, in Beechworth.
In 2017, a third single-vineyard site was secured: Chardonnay from the ‘Baxendale’ Vineyard at Whitlands, in the King Valley. Noted as being in the cooler, upper-reaches of North East Victoria, this Whitlands’ site produces exceptional fruit at 560-620m elevation.
Offering three single-vineyard Chardonnay, Adrian showcases the typicity of each vineyard, and captures exceptional varietal expression in each wine.
In recent times, Adrian planted a high-density Nebbiolo vineyard on his own Mayday Hills property, and recently bottled the first harvest from the 2023 vintage. The wine is looking very good for a first crack on his own land – keep an eye out for that one!
Adrian doesn’t have an official cellar door, but he does work out of the same location as Fighting Gully Road, at Mayday Hills, Beechworth. Balancing a young family, work commitments, and a mild running addiction…Adrian doesn’t typically have a lot of time to carve out for visitors. But if you have any questions, or wish to try your luck, please use the contact us form below to reach out.
Out of stockLifted and energetic, with aromas of seaspray, jasmine, green apple and white peach layered over hazelnut, almond and a light smoky spice. The palate is vibrant and tightly coiled, driven by tangy lime and grapefruit, flinty tension and mouth-watering acidity. A fine, powdery texture and subtle almond creaminess lead to a long, saline finish, precise, high-strung and built to age.
A poised and elegant Yarra Valley Chardonnay, opening with spiced white nectarine, peach and grapefruit layered over nougat, hazelnut and finely judged toasty oak. Svelte yet tightly coiled, the palate balances silky texture with fresh, nervy acidity. Citrus and white stone fruit carry through to a saline, spice-tinged finish — engaging now, with the structure to reward time in bottle.
Deep purple in hue, this cool-climate Tempranillo shows bright cherry, raspberry and morello fruit layered with wild herbs and a subtle earthy edge. Fresh and finely structured, the palate is driven by clean, crunchy acidity and framed by firm, gently chewy tannins. Medium-bodied and well balanced, it’s vibrant now with the structure to evolve gracefully in bottle.
A quietly expressive bouquet of lemon pith, grapefruit peel and white nectarine is edged with flint and nutmeg, with hints of quince and gentle biscuity oak. The palate is poised and assured: stone fruit at its core, framed by granitic minerality and bright citrus acidity. A silky texture carries mealy, nutty complexity, finishing long and precise with a line of grapefruit pith.
Intense characters of blackberries, dark plums and mocha are heightened by aromas of violets and wild flowers. Savour, fine-grained tannins frame the structure then deep-seated dark berry characters flow across the palate providing a finish that is tightly focused yet fine, elegant and exceptionally long. Will reward cellaring.
An array of red and purple fruits (think redcurrants, dark cherries and plums), heightened by aromas of violets and wild herbs. The supple fruit characters are interwoven with fine, velvety tannins giving the wine great balance and finesse.
To reach out to Adrian please use the forms below, or contact him directly:
Email: wines@aroddawines.com.au
Phone: +61 (0) 400 350 135
