Ottilie Wines began with a shared dream between Alan and Zoe — one rooted in the land, the seasons, and a desire to make wine with meaning. What started as a small patch of vines in Finniss, South Australia, slowly grew into a quiet pursuit of something honest: wines that speak of place, seasons, and people.
From the beginning, we were drawn to a way of farming that left things better than we found them. Our vineyard, tucked along the banks of the Finniss River, is a place of natural beauty - not just for grapes, but for life. With each passing season, we work to build a more resilient, living system, embracing organic and regenerative practices like cover cropping and free-range grazing to foster biodiversity and healthy soils. No shortcuts, nothing artificial - just patience, curiosity, and a belief that the land knows best: when you listen and work with nature, the best results are achieved.
In the winery, we carry the same philosophy through. We lean into minimal intervention, allowing the fruit and season to guide the process. We don't force the wine in a direction it doesn't want to go, we have confidence in our land to express its' quality. For us, making wine isn’t about chasing trends or ticking boxes — it is about creating something real, something expressive, something we are proud to share around a table with family and friends.
The name Ottilie, chosen with heart, nods to our heritage and family. It’s a reminder that this is a part of who we are. Every bottle that leaves the shed is a continuation of that story, shaped by weather, soil, location... and a whole lot of early mornings.
Ottilie remains a small operation by design. We still do most things by hand, from pruning, to picking, to making the wine. Every vintage is a reflection of our commitment to quality, sustainability, and care. We’re not trying to be the biggest, just one of the most thoughtful.
If you open a bottle, we hope you feel this - the calm of the Finniss River, the smell of the Fleurieu underfoot, and the rhythm of an organic vineyard growing with purpose. We hope it brings you in and makes you feel part of something worth sharing. We think it is.
- Alan and Zoe
