Torzi Matthews is a unique food and winemaking partnership between Domenic Torzi and Tracy Matthews, located in the Eden Valley of South Australia. Domenic, a fifth-generation Calabrian with deep Italian roots, comes from a family with a long history of olive oil and home winemaking. Tracy brings her own background from Newcastle and a wealth of hospitality experience. In 1996, they discovered a small, remote, frost-prone hollow at Mount McKenzie, Eden Valley – a site with thin, diverse soils perfect for producing low yields of high-quality grapes.
Their winemaking philosophy embraces traditional Italian and European techniques, focusing on minimal intervention. They use hand harvesting, natural ferments, fruit drying, and maturation in fine French oak barrels. One standout process is the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are dried on racks to concentrate flavour and sugars, enhancing intensity and texture.
Their flagship wine, the Frost Dodger Shiraz, is crafted from these carefully nurtured grapes and is known for its depth, complexity, and silky mouthfeel. The wine has received critical acclaim, including a 95-point rating from Australian Wine Review, praised for its power, texture, and food-friendly style deeply rooted in Italian heritage. The partnership exemplifies passion and respect for their land’s heritage while crafting wines that uniquely express their Eden Valley terroir. Torzi Matthews continues to build a devoted following for its elegant, honest wines with a rich sense of place and tradition.
This blend of culture, place, and meticulous craft makes Torzi Matthews a compelling story in Australian wine.
Here are five Australian white wines, including one from Torzi Matthews, under $25 suitable for spring drinking, including names, types, prices, and reviews:
Angove Bin 7890 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Type: Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $18.00
Review: This wine offers a lively and refreshing blend typical of the varietals with bright citrus and grassy notes on the nose. It is crisp and light-bodied, perfect for spring, with a clean finish that is ideal for pairing with seafood or light salads. Its value price point makes it an accessible everyday white with vibrant, easy-drinking style.
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling 2024
Type: Riesling
Price: $23.00
Review: A flavour-packed Riesling from Eden Valley, displaying intense citrus and floral aromas. It boasts a bright acidity balanced by textured fruitiness, making it an excellent spring wine with food-friendly versatility. The wine is fresh and lively, delivering excellent character for its price, a great pick for Riesling lovers seeking value with depth.
Pacha Mama King Valley Fiano 2021
Type: Fiano
Price: $15.00
Review: Bright and aromatic, this Fiano opens with refreshing notes of tropical fruits and citrus. It is lively on the palate with a zesty finish, showing good complexity for an affordable white. Perfect for warm days, it pairs well with seafood dishes or grilled vegetables, offering a unique grape variety experience at a budget-friendly price.
Gen S South Australia Traminer Chardonnay
Type: Traminer Chardonnay Blend
Price: $12.00
Review: This vibrant blend from South Australia combines rare Savagnin (Traminer) with Chardonnay, imparting fresh stone fruit and herbaceous notes. It is a bright, light-bodied white with crisp acidity and a subtle spicy undertone, perfect for casual drinking on a sunny spring day. Its affordable price and approachable style make it great for easy drinking.
Katnook Founders Block Coonawarra Chardonnay 2022
Type: Chardonnay
Price: $19.00
Review: From the cool climate of Coonawarra, this wine delivers mellow tropical fruits, juicy peach, and fresh herbs with a zesty citrus finish. A touch of vanilla from light oak adds complexity without overpowering the fresh profile. It is a crisp, elegant white, ideal for spring, pairing seamlessly with roast chicken or grilled veggies.
These wines offer refreshing, lively profiles suitable for spring, all under $25, giving excellent value and quality for everyday enjoyment. Prices are approximations and may vary slightly by retailer.
Proudly Australian owned and operated