The Wine Thieves (S3 E10): Exploring the State of Victoria, Australia, with Wine Victoria CEO Stephanie Duboudin

Victoria may be Australia’s smallest mainland state, but when it comes to wine, it punches wildly above its weight. Home to 21 wine regions and more than 800 producers, it’s a remarkably diverse patchwork of cool-climate Pinot and Chardonnay, peppery Shiraz, ageworthy fortified Muscat and, yes, Australia’s original Prosecco and many other Italian grape varieties. Its wine history is equally rich, shaped by generations of immigrant growers, pioneering families and some seriously old vines. 

In this episode, we take a tour through Victoria’s five signature wine destinations: from the Yarra Valley and Pinot Coast to the goldfields, Rutherglen and the King Valley. Joining us is Stephanie Duboudin, CEO of Wine Victoria, whose 25-plus years in the international wine business give her a uniquely broad perspective on the state’s place in the global wine landscape. We dig into what makes Victoria distinctive, the remarkable family histories behind its vineyards, the evolution of its regional identities, and why this small corner of Australia deserves considerably more attention from wine lovers and the trade alike.

This episode was produced in collaboration with the Wine Victoria association of growers and producers.  

Link to Episode on: BuzzSprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio .

Link to Episode on: BuzzSprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio .

A riveting insider’s look at the world of fine wine. Telling the stories of the people and the places that shape the world’s most compelling finds. John Szabo, Master Sommelier and Sara d’Amato, a jack of all wine trades, get to the root of the vine. Listen to more episodes here.