Graeme Miller is a pioneer of the 60s/70s rebirth of the Yarra Valley as a wine region. He established Chateau Yarinya at Dixons Creek in 1971 and was soon drawing attention to the region by winning major wine show awards, including the 1978 Jimmy Watson Trophy. The attention included the De Bortoli family who were looking for a premium cool climate site and in 1987 they purchased the property. Selecting a new site within a kilometre of his original vineyard, Graeme began planting Dixons Creek Estate in 1988. Chosen for its well positioned slopes, soil and meso-climate, it covers 57.5 hectares, with 30.5 hectares under vine.
Grape varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Carmanere, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Graeme made a return to winemaking because of his belief in regional difference and the Yarra Valley as an excellent wine producing area. Graeme and his wife Bernadette opened cellar door at the new site and reflect sustainable agriculture and strong environmental stewardship in practices in the vineyard and the winery.
Millers Dixons Creek Estate produces fine Yarra Valley wines, available through mailing list, online, cellar door, selected retail and on-premise outlets. All wines produced are estate grown, single vineyard, with the exception of a little Cabernet Franc used in the Bordeaux-style blend, which is purchased from a local vineyard .
Winemakers Graeme Miller and Shaun Crinion are working to produce long-lived wines, not dominated by alcohol, which reflect the depth and complexity they believe the Yarra Valley as a premium, cool climate, wine region can produce. Wines include Sparkling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet, Quatrain (Bordeaux style blend), Petit Verdot and Vintage Port. Cellar door is open 7 days, offers spectacular views of the valley and overlooks the working winery. Winery tours are available.