We’re here to announce that the Beechworth wine region has some new and exciting grape varieties being grown for the first time in Australia, outside of quarantine. Introducing grape varieties Petit Arvine and Cornalin, a white and red grape varieties respectively, both with origins in the Aosta valley in Italy’s north, and on the border of Switzerland.
The renowned Beechworth wine region has long been celebrated for its exceptional Chardonnay, but we’re excited to announce the successful cultivation of two exciting new grape varieties: Cornalin and Petit Arvine. These grapes are unique additions to not only Beechworth, but are also the first in Australia (outside of quarantine), underscoring the region’s commitment to innovation and excellence in winemaking.
Beechworth has always been recognised as beacon of quality and tradition, particularly noted for its Chardonnay – which has garnered acclaim both locally and internationally. However, the introduction of Cornalin and Petit Arvine (of Italian heritage) marks a transformative chapter in the region’s illustrious history. These new grape varieties promise to enhance the diversity of Beechworth’s wine offering, where both varieties are known to excel at high-altitude, are also noted as being relatively drought tolerant, plus meet the evolving tastes of wine enthusiasts locally and internationally.
Mark Walpole, vigneron at Fighting Gully Road (FGR), has spent the last 8+ years working to get these two varieties to quarantine in Australia, as they are ‘alternative’ varieties and not well-known, the local governments have made it quite difficult to get approval for extraction. The past ~18 months the rootlings have been in quarantine in Mildura, at the Chalmers nursery, Victoria. And recently, they were able to bottle the first known Petit Arvine and Cornalin wines – both were shared with guests, judges, and other wine enthusiasts at the 2024 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.
Cornalin: A Rare Treasure
Originating from the Swiss Alps in the Aosta Valley, Cornalin is a rare and ancient red grape variety known for producing wines of remarkable depth and complexity. The grape’s adaptation to Beechworth’s terroir has been met with great enthusiasm. Cornalin wines are expected to exhibit rich, dark fruit flavours with hints of spice and a velvety texture, making them a delightful addition to Beechworth’s red wine repertoire.
There has been 0.35 acres / 0.14 hectares planted to Cornalin vines at Fighting Gully Road’s ‘home’ vineyard on Fighting Gully Rd. View map here.
Petit Arvine: The Quintessential White
Petit Arvine, another gem from Swiss-Italy border, is celebrated for its aromatic intensity and fresh, vibrant character. This white grape variety is already thriving in the Beechworth region’s unique climatic conditions and the higher altitude of Stanley – where this grape has been planted at 740-750m above sea level. Producing wines that are both elegant and expressive, wine lovers can anticipate Petit Arvine wines to be bursting with citrus and floral notes, underpinned by a crisp acidity that makes them exceptionally food friendly.
There has been 1.5 acres / 1.24 hectares planted to Petit Arvine at the Europa Vineyard, just outside the township of Stanley, which is also within the Geographical Indication (GI) of Beechworth. View map here. Plus, another 0.4 acres / 0.16 hectares planted at Mark’s FGR vineyard too. Making a total of 1.9 acres of Petit Arvine grown locally.
The introduction of Cornalin and Petit Arvine has been a passion project of Mark’s for over a decade, and he is expecting his first FGR-grown grapes for the 2026 vintage.
A Commitment to Quality and Diversity
The Beechworth vignerons are known among their peers as being innovative, and early-adopters – not only with regards to grape varieties, but in recent years many have been experimenting with new and exciting wine making processes and equipment. Always looking for opportunities that align with sustainable, and environmentally positive practices. Never forgetting traditional methods, the vignerons today are an exciting cohort, that engage with visiting wine enthusiasts in many, many ways. There is truly something for everyone in the regions abundant wine making landscape, and we encourage all visitors to make an appointment with the vignerons (most do not have cellar doors open regularly) as you’ll experience first-hand the exciting and rewarding processes each take to craft their award-winning wines.
Finally, these two new varieties complement the already diverse range of alternative grape varieties thriving in the region, further establishing Beechworth as a dynamic and forward-thinking wine destination. Some of those alternative grape varieties from just a handful of local producers include:
- Indigo Vineyard and Baarmutha make some delicious Sangiovese
- Weathercraft‘s ‘One Acre Project’ Tempranillo, and their Albarino
- A.Rodda’s Aquila Audax Tempranillo
- Giaconda and Domenica produce exceptional Roussanne, and Nebbiolo
- Savaterre and Baarmutha both have Sagrantino
- Willem Kurt‘s Vermentino
- Fighting Gully Road‘s Verdicchio
- Castagna‘s Viognier
- Sentiō and Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown also produce exceptional Nebbiolo
- Sorrenberg‘s cult-like status Gamay, alongside Pennyweight.
…Just to name a few – please explore and taste more the next time you visit the region. Meanwhile, you can check out Wine Australia’s alternative grape varieties guide here.