Product Description:
Geelong precision in full voice—Mulline's benchmark Chardonnay. From the grey loams and granite of Sutherlands Creek, this 2024 Single Vineyard Chardonnay is Mulline at the top of its game. Sourced from close-planted vines in Geelong’s Moorabool Valley and made with minimal intervention, it’s a wine that’s not only deeply site-specific but also confidently modern. Fermented wild, matured on lees in a mix of new and seasoned oak, and given just enough malo to add texture without sacrificing freshness—this is new-gen Australian Chardonnay done right.
Complex and layered from the outset, it offers grapefruit pith, grilled white peach, and oyster shell with smoky struck-match detail. The palate is textured yet tensile, unfolding over saline drive and nutty oak. This is a wine with pulse and presence—already superb, with the structure to improve for up to seven years.
The Maker
The sum of each part is greater. The name Mulline is a blend name from two Bens, Ben Mullen + Ben Hine. Their focus is producing premium wines out of Geelong. Ben Mullen makes the wines. After deciding wine was more fun that marketing, he switched from business and marketing to Viticulture and Oenology at Adelaide University. Armed with a degree, he set off on a whirlwind journey making wine all over the globe. Of note, Ben has worked at Torbreck (Barossa Valley, South Australia), Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, Victoria), Oakridge (Yarra Valley, Victoria), Domaine Dujac (Burgundy, France), Craggy Range (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand) and Clyde Park (Bannockburn, Geelong, Victoria). With this start studded background, it wasn't long before Ben Mullen decided to spread his wings and make wine under his own label. Ben Mullen is the Winemaker at Mulline Vintners.Ben Hine moves the wines. Also born in South Australia, Hine began his working career in hospitality. His passion for food, wine and hospitality has endured since. After finishing study, Ben Hine has worked in law and is now a senior lawyer working in the financial services and risk industry. With that background, he has a head for business and knows a thing or two about drinking wine. Ben Hine is the As the Business Manager at Mulline Vintners.
Halliday notes,"Mulline is a winery built to last." Their dedication to environmentally friendly practices is indicative of their long foresight, and one of the many reasons they were voted top 100 Wineries of 2023. Mulline adopts environmentally friendly practices wherever possible, in their own vineyard they use as few non-organic materials as possible to maximise microbial activity and soil health, and investing in best-in-class fuel efficient vehicles. Partnering with growers who share our viticulture philosophy. Using screwcap closures which have significantly less spoilage than traditional cork and can be recycled through most kerbside recycling systems. Using locally produced, lightweight glass bottles which use less raw materials and require substantially less energy throughout their lifecycle to the point of recycling. Not limited to this and ever improving. They are an assuring presence in the industry. Making good wines the right way, and not at the expense of the planet. Together 'Mulline's' mission is to craft exceptional structural wines that capture the unique character and freshness of the Geelong Region, both from single sites and broader regional blends. By experimenting with various grape varieties and winemaking styles, Mulline highlights the region’s unique microclimates, soil compositions, and seasonal variations through its Single Vineyard wines. The Geelong Region range features expertly blended fruit from multiple sites, deftly crafted by Ben Mullen to showcase the finest expressions of each variety and the essence of each vintage in the Geelong Region.
The Vineyards
Since its inception, Mulline has collaborated with local growers and sourced fruit across the region, aiming to create remarkable cool climate wines that enhance appreciation for Geelong’s distinctive subregions: Moorabool Valley, Bellarine Peninsula, and Surf Coast. Moorabool Valley, between Geelong and Ballarat. The climate is Mediterranean and the warmest and driest of the three subregions. There are two vineyard sources, Sutherlands Creek (Pettaval Vineyard) on grey and brown loams and clay loams with granite, planted 1988 to 1998. Low planted, close (1 metre) rows in the French style. Bannockburn (Bannockburn Vineyards) consists of limestone clay with a very shallow topsoil horizon, planted 1990 to 1996. A landmark vineyard.
Bellarine Peninsula South-west of Melbourne surrounded by Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Bass Strait. Maritime climate with views of the You Yangs and Melbourne CBD. Two sources of fruit here, the first is Portarlington (Nurringa Park Vineyard) which is leased by Mulline. Here there is sandy loam with dark clay over iron stone, planted 1994. Gentle slopes, close planted with uninterrupted coastal breeze. Then there's Drysdale (Leech Vineyard) on grey sandy loam over yellow light clay, planted 1998. A flat and lush vineyard.
Surf Coast subregion is home of the iconic Great Ocean Road, spectacular coastline, rainforests and beaches. Higher rainfall, long summer days and cooling ocean winds. Modewarre (Brown Magpie Vineyard) has sandy loam with layers of clay, estuary marl then limestone, planted 2001 to 2002. A protected and lovingly tended patch.
Special mention to the outskirts of Geelong. Barrabool Hills A pocket on the periphery of Geelong with remarkable steep ridges and impressive revegetation and sustainability credentials, sitting outside of the 3 recognised subregions. Barrabool (Barwon Ridge Vineyard). Limestone and basalt base, planted 1999. Recognised sustainability certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, soaring views across Moorabool Valley and Bellarine Peninsula.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Just ripe and mineral
White peach, jasmine, grapefruit pith and a slaty, oyster-shell lift.
PALATE
– Textured and flinty
Grilled citrus, peach, struck match and fine cedar over a creamy, mineral core.
FINISH
– Pithy and persistent
Nutty oak, citrus rind, and chalky structure with excellent length and drive.
Reviews & Accolades
“From a 10,000-vines-per-ha close-planted vineyard in the Moorabool Valley. Matured in 30% new French and Austrian puncheons. 20% mlf. A complex amalgam of white nectarine, crushed rocks, gentle vanillin and pressed flowers. Textured, saline and beautifully balanced. Now firmly one of the region’s very best chardonnays and a wine that will provide lots of pleasure now and over the next five to seven years.” – Halliday Wine Companion, 97 points
“This chardonnay really does power on. It’s a complex wine with flint, popcorn, roasted nut and grilled peach flavours running into sweet spice, smoky bacon and meal. It announces itself straight up, and then keeps on going through the finish. Top stuff. Excellent wine.” – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 points
Finer Details:
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Geelong, Victoria
Vintage - 2024
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 11%
Closure - Screw Cap
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