Showcasing South Australia

Primo Estate, located in McLaren Vale, began its journey in 1953 when Primo Grilli, an 18-year-old from Italy's Le Marche region, arrived in South Australia. After meeting his future wife, Santina, in Adelaide, they settled in Virginia, dreaming of planting a vineyard. This dream was realized in 1973, followed by the construction of a winery in 1979, with Primo entrusting winemaking to his eldest son, Joe, a Roseworthy graduate.

Joe introduced innovative techniques, such as Double Pruning for Cabernet and experimenting with Italian varieties, establishing Primo Estate’s unique identity that blends modern Australian practices with traditional Italian heritage. He later planted vineyards in McLaren Vale and opened a stunning cellar door in 2006, reflecting the multicultural influences of their wines and olive oils.

In a full-circle moment, Joe also crafts wines in Italy, including The Tuscan and The Venetian. Today, the next generation is taking the helm, with Daniel recently excelling in the same winemaking course as Joe, while Matteo trains as General Manager and Elena engages with customers at the Cellar Door. As Joe reflects, while it wasn’t their intention to involve their children in the business, their upbringing in 'la dolce vita' naturally drew them in, leading to exciting new releases and a bright future for Primo Estate.