Mac Forbes was born and raised in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Born in the 70’s, Mac grew up when the modern history of the Yarra Valley was commencing. When the likes of Yeringberg and Mount Mary began reinvigorating the Yarra Valley as a premium wine producing region.

Today, Mac has travelled the full circle to be part of the next generation responsible for injecting renewed vision and vigour into the Valley.

Whilst on reflection, returning to the Yarra seems the natural path, it wasn’t always so obvious.

Growing up surrounded by grapes did not necessarily translate to an innate worldliness about wine. But growing up in the Forbes house developed Mac’s love for sitting around the kitchen table with glass in hand enjoying the local produce and chewing the fat (or listening if Mac’s mother Carole was present).

Mac impatiently completed school and departed for Europe without a moment to spare. Without any clear direction or money, Mac ended up working vintage in the Gaillac region of France where a major seed of interest in the wine industry was planted; the people.

As Mac returned to Melbourne to attend the University of Melbourne (Science), Mac became frustrated with his lack of direction. It was at this juncture that Mac moved to Adelaide to complete the winemaking course (Oenology).

Since then Mac has had broad range of jobs across Australia, France (mainly Burgundy) Italy, Portugal and Austria. However, prior to Mac Forbes Wines commencing, it is the overwhelming influences of the late John Middleton (Mac held position of winemaker at Mount Mary), Dirk Niepoort (Niepoort wines, Portugal) and Mac’s consultancy in Austria (2004-2008 in Carnuntum) that has helped Mac define his own Euro inspired style and find philosophies and methods that suit the Australian landscape. While Mac loves the wines of Europe, he is also totally convinced that what was learnt about wines means the learning begins again back home. By simply applying the European practices here does not translate into producing European styled wines. Understanding and lateral consideration all assist in making balanced wines in the harsh environments of Australia.

And so here we are today. Since the first vintage in 2005 for Mac Forbes Wines, Mac has gradually explored and focused his direction. Today, Mac is focussing mainly on Pinot Noir (6 sub-regional Pinot Noirs are being made in 2008), Chardonnay and Cabernets from the Yarra Valley as well as German inspired Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges.

All wines from Mac are ultimately heavily influenced by our northern European neighbours. They are restrained, fine and made to be enjoyed now or well into the future. Most of Mac’s wines have a link to the wines made in the 70’s (less ripe characters with lower alcohols and without any modern intervention) and all volumes are small.

Demand for Mac’s wines are steadily increasingly with sales strong in London, Dubai, Tokyo and the US as well as domestically.

Mac is extremely excited about the 2008 release and hopes that you enjoy the wine as much as he enjoys making and drinking them. For any technical information about any of the vineyards or wines, please contact mac directly on mforbes@forbesconsult.com.