Stefano Lubiana: A generations-long quest for perfection
At Stefano Lubiana Wines, winemaking runs in the blood. Steve Lubiana is the fifth generation in a long line of winemaking ancestors, heralding from the northern shores of Italy, to the rolling valleys of South Australia, to the cool climate of Tasmania. Despite this abundant history, Steve is not shy of forward-thinking and, together with his wife Monique, set out to create Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic winery.
The son of northern Italian migrants, Steve grew up on his parents’ winery in South Australia, where they settled in the 1950s after World War II. It instilled the love of winemaking in Steve, so much so that after he married Monique, they spent their honeymoon scouting the landscapes of Tasmania for the prime location to follow their ambitions of making, simply, perfect wine.
Settling on a breezy spot 20-kilometres north of Hobart, along the Western bank of the Derwent River, Steve and Monique purchased a 252-hectare parcel of land that became the Stefano Lubiana winery. Since then, the winery has expanded with gradual additions to the original site, and a second vineyard purchased in 2015, in the bountiful land of the Huon Valley on Tasmania’s southern tip.
Although rooted in historic winemaking traditions, Steve and Monique adopt a philosophy based on freethinking principles and careful attention to detail. This led the couple to convert the winery to biodynamic practices in 2010, certified in 2013, producing hand-crafted wines that are free of all synthetic treatments, additives, pesticides, and animal products.
This natural approach is not just for frills. Steve and Monique nurture the land to yield fruit of the highest possible standard, which is gently transformed from juice to wine with minimal intervention. The results speak for themselves, with a range of highly sought-after wines that boast unique and distinctive character, while maintaining free-flowing elegance and quality. This has been recognised the world over, with the Stefano Lubiana Pinot Noir being crowed the three-time winner of the International Wine Challenge Biodynamic Trophy.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sparkling wines are the cornerstones of Stefano Lubiana Wines, but don’t be surprised if you find a Blaufränkisch or Malvasia in their range, given the couple’s inclination to explore and experiment. The high position of the vineyard brings strong westerly winds across its diverse soil mix, while daily cool breezes and mild temperatures during the summer are ideal for creating complex wines with both finesse and distinction.
Winemaking at Stefano Lubiana is an homage to Steve’s ancestors and their traditional techniques, while always looking to the future. This is a baton that Steve’s son Marco is proud to accept, having himself recently qualified as a winemaker and launched his own label, Marco Lubiana.
“As fifth and sixth generation winegrowers, we value family, tradition, and progression”, says Steve, “our methods mean we’re more alert to the signals of Mother Nature and the rhythmic, cyclical lifestyle of the vineyard. “Every season, we're becoming more attuned to the synergies between our soil types, their organisms, the local flora and fauna, and of course, our vines”.
At Stefano Lubiana Wines, the dedication to minimal intervention alongside traditional and environmentally sensitive principles has resulted in some of the most revered and desirable wines from Tasmania.
They are wines that exude deep respect for the land, love for family, and the purest possible taste of Tasmania.
You can find Stefano Lubiana Wines in our current monthly selections. Available for a limited time.