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THE BACKGROUND BEHIND DML.

D’Anna Middleton Lewis (DML VIN) is a partnership between the D’Anna family, Sam Middleton and Jordan Lewis. It focuses on single site regional Pinot Noir with the first vintage being released in June 2019.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND DML.

Jordan Lewis

Whilst on his honeymoon through Europe in October 2014, four time AFL premiership player Jordan Lewis and his wife Lucy spent time in Florence. Having never been to a winery before they thought it was only fitting that they visit one. The vineyard visit sparked something inside Jordan that he hadn’t felt before.

Upon returning to Australia Jordan wanted to explore that world of wine a little bit deeper.

So he bought a subscription to the James Halliday magazine. One comment grabbed him. It was in reference to a 2013 1er Pinot from Hoddles Creek. So he spent hours trying to find some with no luck. He decided to contact The D’Anna boys via twitter, and a friendship through wine was born.

Sam Middleton

Sam is a third-generation winemaker from the Middleton family and has held the role of Head Winemaker since 2011. He holds a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne as well as a degree in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University. His background includes employment at several significant producers including Coldstream Hills and Dominique Portet. Sam has gained experience in France working vintage in Burgundy and travelling extensively through other wine regions. Bordeaux, in particular, is of special interest to him as a result of its role in Mount Mary’s history. Growing up in the Yarra Valley alongside his father and grandfather, grapes and wine have always been a part of life. He has always demonstrated a passion for primary production and has a deep respect for this region and its unique ability to produce world-class wines.

Franco D’Anna and family

Franco D’Anna is the viticulturalist and winemaker at Hoddles Creek Estate. At 13, he started to work in the family liquor store. By 21 he was the chief wine buyer while undertaking (and completing) a bachelor of commerce at Melbourne University. He then turned his attention to Charles Sturt University’s viticulture course, while helping to maintain the newly planted vineyard.

He attributes his traineeship, at Coldstream Hills, for the rigorous hygiene practices he learnt to be fundamental in the winery. For Hoddles Creek Estate’s first vintages, Franco worked with Peter Dredge of Red Edge, and then in consultation with Mario Marson, (ex-winemaker for Mount Mary and Jasper Hill).

THE CONNECTION.

Through their love of wine, a friendship between the D’Anna boys and Jordan Lewis evolved from not only drinking great bottles of wine, but also exploring the possibility of working together with select parcels of single vineyard fruit from selected growers and establishing a project that highlighted these regional differences. During this time, a joint friendship with Sam Middleton, evolved and Sam was included in the project.