Sam Miranda

SAM MIRANDA OF THE KING VALLEY

Sam Miranda - Owner & Winemaker

It's difficult to miss the beautiful blonde wood 'tower' that identifies Sam Miranda's illustrious vineyard on the Snow Road; in fact, it's become something of an icon in Oxley. As most important decisions are made in the North East, the concept for this architecturally designed cellar door came about over dinner and a few bottles of wine.

'Everyone in the North East loves food and wine,' emphasises Sam Miranda.

'It's a unifying factor of the area. Even though I'm relatively new here, everyone has been so accommodating. People are here for the love of food and wine, rather than the money.'

Originally harking from an Italian winemaking family in Griffith, New South Wales, Sam's professional connections with the Victorian North East saw a more personal tie steadily develop. In 1996, his family purchased a property, which he then purchased off them in 2003 and reinvented under the name 'Sam Miranda of the King Valley'. The first vintage took place in 2004.

'Tourism wasn't as established here when I arrived,' says Sam. 'I liked the idea of coming into an area where I could be involved in the nuts & bolts of its development. This region isn't dominated by big companies - even Brown Brothers, that's still family owned.'

Despite Sam Miranda's vineyard looking something like a colossus, it also reflects the intimacy of his family - a quality that distinctly defines businesses of the region. Sam talks about his plans to introduce pecking chickens to the cellar door next year, as well as extending the winery's veggie and herb garden.

'My daughters love to come out and crush the grapes with their feet,' says Sam of his gaggle of girls who suggest a future of a more feminine persuasion for Sam Miranda. His Girls' Block Cabernet Petit Verdot even sports the artwork of one of his daughters on the label.

'It's up to them if they want to work in wine, though,' admits Sam. 'It's too early to tell.'

Sam Miranda of the King Valley

Snow Road

Oxley

Ph: 03 5727 3888

www.sammiranda.com.au