De Bortoli Wines’ iconic Noble One turns 40 this year.
Darren De Bortoli first pioneered Noble One in 1982 after experimenting with Semillon shortly after finishing his studies at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy College. Four decades on, Noble One continues to set the benchmark for Botrytis wines in Australia.
“It feels like only yesterday that Dad and I were asking the local growers to allow their grapes to go rotten. They thought we were both mad, yet here we are celebrating 40 years of Noble One and what a journey it has been,” said Darren De Bortoli.
Over the past 40 years, only two vintages have been missed: in 1989 and 2012 when there was too much rain. Julie Mortlock, Senior Winemaker for De Bortoli Wines Bilbul Estate has been assisting Mr De Bortoli with Noble One since 2000.
She said, “Noble One is very dependent on Mother Nature, the right humidity at the right time is needed for the Botrytis to weave its magic. The process of making Noble One has only been tweaked ever so slightly over the years, such as keeping a portion unoaked with a portion matured in barrel to add some fruitfulness and freshness to the blend.”
One of the sweetest success stories in Australian winemaking history, De Bortoli Noble One has over 182 trophies and 505 gold medals awarded to-date and was nominated The Sweet Wine Producer of the Year at the 2021 International Wine & Spirits Competition.
No sugar is added to Noble One, the sweetness is all natural and comes solely from Noble Rot, the fungus that helps to produce the world’s greatest sweet wine.
De Bortoli’s Cellar Doors in Bilbul, Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley and Rutherglen are showcasing Noble One throughout April with back vintage tastings and wine pairing with Noble One truffles.
