Nine Popes

Family-run Charles Melton Wines was founded in 1986 in South Australia’s Barossa Valley by Charles Melton and Virginia Weckert. The producer works with dry-grown, low-yielding vineyards, including many old bush vines over 80 years old, and uses organic vineyard practices without stated certification. Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro are central to its portfolio, reflecting Charles Melton’s role in preserving the Barossa’s old-vine heritage. Fruit is hand-picked and made in small lots using whole-bunch and open fermentation, pigeage and indigenous yeasts. The resulting red wines are described as balanced, powerful and age-worthy, with maturation mainly in French oak. Charles Melton remains closely involved in the winemaking, alongside a family-led team including Sophie Melton.