Sorrenberg is a three-hectare vineyard owned by Barry and Jan Morey, located on the outskirts of Beechworth. The property is bordered by forest on two sides, with Stony Creek running along the back boundary.

The site was chosen for its cool climate and favourable granitic soils. Its undulating slopes provide excellent drainage, while the northern aspect ensures full ripeness is reached even with later-ripening varieties. To maximise quality, the vines are closely planted on a single fruiting wire, with foliage wires used to encourage good berry exposure.

The vineyard was planted in 1985, and the first vintage was produced in 1989. Sorrenberg’s principal varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon, and Pinot Noir used in the blends for which the estate is well known. All grapes are processed on site, and winemaking follows traditional methods, with fermentation carried out in French barriques. The small scale of production allows each barrel to receive careful attention, in line with the estate’s commitment to handcrafted wines. Sorrenberg has been farming sustainably from early on and became Demeter-certified biodynamic in 2008.

The Morey family’s winemaking heritage spans more than 500 years, tracing back to the Mosel region of Germany. Barry’s grandfather, Jacob Barzen, emigrated to Australia to work on the family’s vineyard and winery at Dookie. Although that vineyard has since returned to grazing land, the name “Sorrenberg” comes from a small vineyard owned by the Barzen family near the town of Reil on the Mosel.

Sorrenberg Vineyard, established in 1984, sits at an elevation of 560 metres. The vines grow predominantly on granite with sandy loam, positioned where granite meets red mudstone, an advantage that provides greater water-holding capacity. The elegance and finesse of Sorrenberg’s wines are attributed in part to the vineyard’s high elevation and granitic soils.

Two additional blocks, Rhino and Bindarra, are also part of the estate.
Rhino Block, planted in 2005 at 595 metres and named after Barry’s maternal grandfather’s Cosgrove vineyard, is a dry-grown granite site planted to Chardonnay, Gamay, Sauvignon Blanc, and small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenère.
Bindarra Block, named after Barry’s paternal grandfather’s original Shepparton orchard, was planted in 2019 at the same elevation. Varieties include Grenache, Mourvèdre, Shiraz, Carignan, Cinsault, Gamay, Malbec, and Chardonnay.

All three sites (Sorrenberg, Rhino, and Bindarra) are certified biodynamic. Sorrenberg adopted biodynamics early on because of its focus on soil health and its philosophy of empowering farmers to cultivate healthier, more resilient land. With soil degradation an increasing global concern, the estate believes biodynamic practices play an important role in rebuilding soil vitality.

The Moreys value the observational skills and hands-on knowledge that biodynamic farming encourages, particularly in a modern agricultural landscape often shaped by chemical and fertiliser industries. Their goal is to steward the land with care and to leave it in better condition than when they began farming it.