Wine Region	Heathcote, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley. Victoria
Wine Maker	Sergio Carlei
Carlei wines are produced under three labels;
Estate – Carlei ‘Estate’ wines represent the pinnacle of the portfolio. They are individual vineyard wines only made in exceptional years, using fruit from very low yielding dry grown vineyards. As a result, they express the unique ‘terrior’ of each site; a combination of climate, soil and aspect to give each wine an individual personality. These wines are only produced and available in small quantities.
‘TRE’ Signature Blends – Sergio Carlei has drawn inspiration from some of the great wines of Italy, France and Australia to produce a range of wines that bear his signature touch. Each of these wines are skillfully blended from three varieties and truly represent the individual expression of one man’s passion in pursuit of the perfect drop.
Green Vineyards – are regional wines made from fruit sourced from a number of vineyard sites. Carlei has chosen areas that deliver varietal and regional characters, while multiple vineyards allow crafting wines of consistent no matter what Mother Nature delivers. The range comprises five wines: Pinot Gris from the Cardinia Ranges, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley, Shiraz is out of Heathcote and Cabernet Sauvignon is Central Victorian.
Winemaking Philosophy - Sergio believes environmentally responsible viticulture is the best course for winemaking: “Soil to a vine is like blood to a human being. We know that toxins in the blood lead to all sorts of health problems in people and the same holds true for plants, toxic soil leads to improper vine health. Most importantly, cleaner vineyards allow the true flavours in the fruit to be expressed, which results in better-tasting and better balanced wines”.
Sergio's mission is to improve wine quality and optimize fruit flavours, the natural way; “If we look at biodynamic fruit, the tannins are richer and riper. These natural preserving agents soften with the ageing process and add complexity to the wine, that's the idea of ageing. The wines have real length and wonderful depth and as the vines get older, they will just get better and better.”
What the critics have to say!
"Carlei Estate has come a long way in a little time, with Sergio Carlei graduating from home wine making in a suburban garage to his own commercial winery in Upper Beaconsfield, which falls just in the boundaries of the Yarra Valley. Along the way Carlei acquired a Bachelor of Wine Science from Charles Sturt University and has established a 2.25ha vineyard with organic and biodynamic accreditation adjacent to the Upper Beaconsfield winery. His contract wine making services are now a major part of the business and are a showcase for his extremely impressive winemaking talents." 5 Star Winery Rating   James Halliday – The Australian Wine Companion - 2010