Brown Brothers, one of Australia’s foremost family-owned wine companies, has a history of Victorian winemaking dating back over 120 years. Having been founded by John Francis Brown in 1889, it was taken over by his son, John Charles Brown, who started experimenting with newer wine varieties. This tradition of innovation continues throughout Brown Brothers today.
A central member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, Brown Brothers is now in the hands of its third and fourth generations, who maintain the family’s reputation with over 60 wines on the tasting menu. They’re known worldwide for being an authority on varietal wines, as well as winemaking progressives.
The Australian Wine Industry has gone through many changes throughout the history of Brown Brothers, but they take great pride in the fact that their foundations have remained solid. They’re still a family business and all the wines are still hand crafted.
What is your philosophy on winemaking?
Our winemaking philosophy is twofold. Firstly, we are dedicated to wine quality and secondly, a wine-lover should always drink the wine they personally enjoy.
Tell us about your cellar door
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff members at the Milawa cellar door are ready to guide visitors through a tasting, with more than 40 Brown Brothers wines on offer. This is where all the innovation happens, making it the ideal location to taste new varieties and styles, including the cellar door label. This label is not available anywhere else and comprises restricted releases, experimental lots and cellared wines. It is made in limited quantities from the Kindergarten, our experimental research winery where we nurture a wide range of grape varieties.
Did you know...
When matriarch Patricia Brown found that Brown Brothers' flagship Patricia range was to bear her name, she demanded, "it had better be bloody good!" Hence, the wines must meet strict standards and subsequently, not every vintage makes it to bottle.
- Wendy Cameron, Chief Winemaker