Q&A with Tony Indomenico, Many Hands Winery

From soil to the bottle, Tony's passion is abundant at Many Hands. 183130_01. Picture: Rob Carew.

Many Hands Winery is a family-owned and operated boutique vineyard on the slopes of the Yarra Valley at Coldstream.

In August the team celebrated making the list in the 2020 James Halliday Wine Companion.

Three of its red wines scored 95 points and it made the top 10 list of new wineries to visit.

Owner and wine-maker Tony Indomenico explained that well-established vines, hand-harvesting and ageing in French oak barriques were just a few of the things that made Many Hands’ wines unique.

What prompted you to start Many Hands?

Great wines begin in the vineyard. Much like a cook and his wood-fired oven and the quest to create great wines from this great vineyard (established in 1982) and beautiful landscape and soil.

What makes for a memorable Yarra Valley dining experience?

A traditional wood oven will bring out the great taste of fresh food – pizzas, calzones, vegetables, meats and fresh in-house Italian sausages. It’s what’s in season in the valley that makes it the most memorable meal.

What is the biggest challenge in establishing a new winery?

Grapes from the vineyard, ageing after fermentation and Mother Nature – they’re the biggest challenges. The rest is the beginning of a great adventure.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Passion, love and the freedom of the valley.

You’ve invited friends to join you for a picnic lunch at one of our many beautiful parks in the Yarra Ranges. What Yarra Valley wine would you take along?

I’d take a chardonnay and a cabernet blend…and a smile, just to love it and enjoy.

Keeping in mind that you ARE on a picnic…is it ever acceptable to drink wine from plastic?

Drink in moderation, stay safe and do it your way. Drink your wine from paper cups, not plastic and enjoy. If you’re serious about the flavours, a curved-rim glass top helps to hold the aromas, swirling the wine improves the tasting of aroma, its acidity, sleekness and astringency by mouth feel. Then, taking in the air and be kind to each other…you’re on a picnic!