Deen De Bortoli was a true visionary in the Australian wine industry, whose mission was to create quality wine for everyone to enjoy. The ‘DEEN’ range is a true reflection of his pursuit and a great tribute to Deen himself. Our Father, everybody's Deen.
It seems that Deen De Bortoli was born into exactly the right family. Almost from the day of his birth at the family house in Bilbul, Deen had been fascinated with the machinery and the day-to-day workings of the winery. As soon as he could walk, the little boy in the baggy shorts was a common sight around the farm.
This passion for machinery didn’t limit itself to the farm and the winery. He had a fascination for model aeroplanes, go-karts and particularly the motorbikes that he tore about the property on. He was obsessed with technology and, increasingly, how it could help De Bortoli Wines to expand and grow.
Deen decided, against his parent’s wishes, to leave school at 15 and begin working at the winery. It started many years of inter-generational tug-of-war between Deen, with his ideas of expansion and modernity, and his dad Vittorio, more comfortable with tradition and low cost. As Deen’s wife Emeri tells it, the arguments between Deen and Vittorio about expanding the winery were so common that they became background noise.
In the end Deen, forward thinking, energetic and strategic (he would wait until his father left the farm to tend the wine distribution business in Sydney before bringing in builders to install more tanks or expand the bottling line), triumphed. The capacity of the winery expanded immensely as did the array of grape varieties De Bortoli Wines made. But perhaps he and Emeri’s greatest achievement in ensuring the future of the business was raising four children – Darren, Leanne, Kevin and Victor – who grew to be as fascinated with the business as their parents.
Deen was willing to make decisions outside of his comfort zone. In 1982 Darren, with Deen’s guidance created the iconic dessert wine Noble One and then came the success of the cool climate wines produced at the family’s Yarra Valley Estate in Victoria, followed that with the purchase of properties in both the King Valley in Victoria and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
Deen died suddenly in 2003, just after the the 75th birthday celebrations for De Bortoli Wines. He died at the family farm in Bilbul, where he had been born and which remains the centre of the family and the business today.
The De Bortoli DEEN range was created by a true pioneer in Australian winemaking. De Bortoli DEEN is all about delicious, exceptional quality wines that are afforable for everyone. The range includes a selection of full-flavoured wine varieties, all made with passion and are a true reflection of Deen himself.
This range includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif, Master's Blend and Botrytis Semillon.
Since its inception in 2005, the De Bortoli DEEN range has won over 1,010 awards including trophies, gold, silver and bronze medals. Its excellence has been widely recognised both domestically and internationally, garnering accoldaes at numerous prestigious wine shows around the world.
The De Bortoli DEEN range encompasses a diverse selection of quality wine varieties, each crafted with passion and precision to cater to different palates and occasions. The different wine varieties you can find in the DEEN range include: Durif, Red Master’s Blend, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Botrytis Semillon.
The De Bortoli DEEN wines are sourced and produced from a number of different wine regions across Victoria and New South Wales, including Riverina, King Valley, Heathcote, Rutherglen and Yarra Valley.
All of the De Bortoli DEEN wines are available to purchase on the De Bortoli online shop and can be shipped Australia wide. You can find the DEEN wines at leading Australian liquor retailers and independent liquor retailers.
A well-paired food and wine combination can elevate both the taste of the food and the characteristics of the wine. White wine pairs well with a variety of foods, often lighter dishes that complement its acidity and flavour profile.
You can find some of our favourite food and white wine pairings below, however feel free to experiment and discover your own favourite combinations!
DEEN Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with: Herb-roasted chicken or grilled snapper.
DEEN Chardonnay pairs well with: Soft, creamy cheeses like brie and camembert or a seafood pasta.
DEEN Botrytis Semillon: Blue cheese and dried fruit or almond tart.
Red wine typically pairs well with richer and more robust flavours due to its tannins and fuller body, however the style of red wine and personal preferences play a role in determining the best pairing.
Here are some of our classic red wine food and wine pairing suggestions:
DEEN Shiraz pairs well with: Lamb shanks or grilled steak.
DEEN Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with: Roast lamb or spaghetti bolognese.
DEEN Durif pairs well with: A hearty casserole or roast beef.
DEEN Master’s Blend pairs well with: Beef ragu pasta or hard, mature cheeses.
Botrytis is often sweet, rich and complex, so they pair with specific foods that can either complement or contrast their flavours. Botrytis wines are versatile and can be enjoyed as an aperitif, with savory courses, or as a dessert wine depending on the occasion and pairing choice.
Deen Botrytis Semillon pairs well with: Blue cheese and dried fruit or almond tart.
All DEEN wines should be kept in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. White varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are best to keep cool in the refrigerator prior to consumption.
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif and Master’s Blend should be stored in a good cellar, wine fridge or in a cool, dark place.
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Botrytis Semillon is best served chilled, but not overly cold. We suggested putting the bottle in the fridge for around 2 hours prior to serving. Avoid serving these wines too cold, as extremely low temperatures may change the wine’s flavour and aromas.
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif and Master’s Blend are best served at room temperature or slightly below room temperature. If you have kept these red wines in a cellar for a few years, you may benefit from decanting them, however this is optional.
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