Founded by former mechanical engineer Rick Kinzbrunner in 1982, Giaconda is a small, prestigious estate in Beechworth, Victoria. After studying at UC Davis and working at top wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and Bordeaux (including Château Pétrus), Rick returned to Australia and began crafting wines that reflect his global experience and deep passion. The 4-hectare estate focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz, with a separate Nebbiolo planting at nearby Red Hill.

Today, Rick is joined by his son Nathan, who serves as Assistant Winemaker and General Business Manager. Giaconda is renowned for its meticulous winemaking and expressive, terroir-driven wines.

The wine is renowned for its intense concentration, flinty reduction and remarkable balance between power and precision. Layers of white peach, nectarine, citrus peel and grilled hazelnut are intertwined with smoky “struck match” complexity, creamy texture and a long mineral finish. Fermented and matured in French oak with meticulous attention to detail, Giaconda Chardonnay consistently rivals the world’s finest white Burgundies while expressing a distinctly Australian sense of place. Built for long-term cellaring, it evolves beautifully over decades, gaining further savoury depth and complexity with age.

Tasting Notes

"In challenging Victorian vintages like '23 – cool and wet – the cream rises, quality producers standing up. At Giaconda, we see another stunner of a chardonnay released, a classic work of art that delivers a bouquet of citrus blossom scents with intense Meyer lemon, grapefruit pith, preserved lemon, white peach, nectarine and crushed stone. Has real presence and an immediate sense of concentration. The longer it remains open, the more it reveals, an ongoing treat of complexity in nectarine, peach, toasted almond and gentle spice with a stunning lemon butter-like richness and more, edged in finely laced acidity. Exquisite." 98 Points - Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port (2025).