The family way.

In total contrast to me, my 88-year-old father doesn’t drink and has never done so. Similarly, in total contrast to me (again), my father spent most of his boyhood years working the family farm in a small southern Italian village producing red and white wines to sell and barter for a living, prior to his migration to Melbourne in 1951.

As an avid lover of the Yarra Valley region, and vast consumer and collector of its regional wine, I invited my father to join me on a visit there about a month ago. To my surprise, Dad agreed, stating in his southern Italian dialect: “It’s approaching harvest season soon, so let’s see if these winemakers know what they are doing”. We visited the cellar doors of St Huberts, Punt Road and Oakridge Estate, and had lunch at Meletos with an accompanying paddle of cider. At each cellar door, I enjoyed various pinots and chardies, but Dad was interested in examining the “state and condition” of the vines. He was pleasantly impressed and suggested that “someone knew what they were doing” as he referenced his memory bank from some 70 years back. Dad proceeded to explain to me the structure, condition and orientation of the Oakridge Estate 864 Block cabernet vines so, of course, I bought a couple of bottles of the latest vintage. When we arrived home and I enjoyed a glass or two, Dad said: “Why didn’t you tell me you liked drinking red wine? I could have made you some many years ago!” I just turned to Dad, raised my glass and smiled. Tony De Fazio Strathmore, Victoria