God’s Hill Wines
Traditional Barossa Valley Winemakers
Charlie’s grandfather (Carmine) amongst his farming activities he also grew grapes and produced wine for the local community. This was the beginning of Charlie’s involvement in the wine industry. Recalling the early age of 6 when his grandfather asked him to wash his feet thoroughly so that he could place him in the large wooden vats of grapes to crush with his feet.
This continued until the age of 11 when he migrated with his parents to Adelaide where his father (Felice) continued traditional wine making in his home cellar and Charlie would continue to assist with hand picking grapes, crushing and making wine. Charlie recalls the very basic and most fundamental part of wine making was ensuring that hygienic procedures were used. The most vivid memory that Charlie has is watching his father burning a sulfur ring in the barrel prior to filling it with wine.
Since starting his own operation in 1998 Charlie has discovered that this technique is still used by some wineries. And sulfur is a very important part of wine-making for preserving wine. When Charlie lost his father in 1996 he continued the family tradition in producing wine at home.
In 1998 Charlie planted 25 acres of vines at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley establishing the God’s Hill label. God’s Hill vineyard consists of the famous shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay. Charlie’s first vintage was introduced in 2001 only producing 2 barrels for family and friends. As this was so successful we released our 2002 vintage to the public and in doing so we have increased our vineyard to 30 acres.
The same year Charlie was offered a contract to supply grapes to Dorrien Estate winery where the bulk of his grapes are still sold to. Charlie’s aim is to produce only a small quantity of boutique wine to allow him to live his passion which he inherited during his childhood and continue the family tradition.
Charlie Scalzi’s brief philosophy to God’s Hill Wines production.
Making God’s Hill wine is the combination of my philosophy and my good fortune of landing on a parcel of Barossa dirt that has excelled since our first vintage of 2002. The soil, the climate condition and our viticulture practices allows us to grow super premium grapes putting us amongst the most famous regions wine grape growing in the world.
I believe in making wine the simplest way, transforming grape juice into alcohol with the most hygienic procedures. If you have super premium grapes you want that fruit to be the dominant factor and no additional to be added.
Our wine is a true reflection of every vintage, because what we harvest is what we put in the bottle.
My motto is “I make wine to drink not for money.”
Our wines will be of limited supply, because for me to maintain what I call quality it can not be done in large quantities.
My production for our Menzel Shiraz, Permanent Arm Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Olive Merlot and is III Rows Unwooded Chardonnay is based on 3,500 bottles per variety.
I hope that you to can enjoy the same passion and live to enjoy what I have enjoyed for many years, that is fine food and fine wines.
My aim is to bring you the most expensive wines at an affordable price”.
Charlie Scalzi
Chief Winemaker
God’s Hill Wines, while asserting the captivating strength of the Barossa tradition, triumphantly enters the Australian and International oenology club with its optimum and high level of wines.
God’s Hill Wines revives high quality and precious wines, capturing in each bottle a piece of history of a territory to which the generosity of Nature has granted a unique and excellent fruit.
Its production, extremely limited, is destined to a particularly demanding and refined clientele.
Winner of DECANTER and IWC – International Wine Challenge 2012 – CWSA Double Gold Medal and many more.
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