Dott. by Chalmers is inspired by and named in honour of the late Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli, a passionate, eccentric scientist whose dogged determination and visionary foresight brought so much colour, interest, and integrity to Australian wine. He sought out a diverse array of grape varieties for our Chalmers imported collection, including many rare ones, seeing their promise long before we did.

The choice of grape varieties in the Dott. range challenges the concept of homoclimes as the most beneficial place to establish grape varieties in new locations. Through years of open-minded experimentation, Chalmers have discovered that sometimes translating a grapevine to a new environment can give surprising and beautiful results, often producing wines which are truly unique from its ancestors in Europe yet still achieving quality and authenticity. A new expression, a truly Australian wine which speaks of its own place and time. The Dott. range of handmade wines from estate grown fruit, encapsulates this idea, and in this  instance, taking grape varieties that originate in the humid and oceanic North East of Italy and growing them in the inland dry climate and red soils of northern Heathcote and Mildura.

Dr. Rod would have said if you do the research diligently, and analyse the results objectively, you can ignore the rule book and forge new ground. Dr. Rod’s persistent drive, direction, and contacts set Chalmers on the path that has helped change the course of Australian wine, and for that we are grateful.