Ottelia is a celebration of the individual wine regions within the Limestone Coast. Family owned and operated, two generations of the Innes family work side by side to craft distinct wines that speak of the unique and lesser known regions.
We're the Innes family. It's great to meet you.
We are John, Melissa, Matilda and Paul and if you haven’t realised yet, we are passionate about the wines and growing regions of the Limestone Coast. We work closely with growers from across the different sub-regions, choosing the fruit most well suited to the different climates and soil profiles.
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John & Melissa
It was only ever supposed to be temporary. John and Melissa moved to the iconic Coonawarra region over 30 years ago intending to, in John’s words, “stay a little while”.
They bought a parcel of land ringed by tall Red Gum Eucalypts, and with natural wetlands dotted with Ottelia Ovalifolia, a native waterlily. All these years later John and Melissa are still there.
Together they have spent nearly half a lifetime in the Limestone coast region, John working as a winemaker and consultant across its unique wine growing regions, and Melissa establishing a restaurant.
Their lasting connection to the region and infatuation for wine has produced Ottelia, drawn from the best vineyards of the Limestone Coast.
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Matilda & Paul
The second generation of Ottelia. Matilda and Paul left the bright lights of Melbourne in 2017 to help run the family business - trading late-night knock offs for early vintage rises.
Matilda is the Wearer of Many Hats working alongside John on the wine side of the business. Whilst Paul Dietary Sommelier (Chef) manages the Tasting Room & Restaurant with Melissa.
Since moving, they've never looked back and the only thing they miss about Melbourne is the lack of dumplings in the Limestone Coast.
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Ottelia Ovalifolia
The name Ottelia is borrowed from a native waterlily, Ottelia ovalifolia, that grows in the wetland area (AKA 'The Swamp') at our home and winery. The plant once grew widely across the region, and for John and Melissa, its name felt like the perfect fit for the wine label - a nod to the land, the vineyards we've worked in for years, and the place we call home.
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The Limestone Coast
Nestled in the South Eastern corner of South Australia is the Limestone Coast GI.
Comprising of the six sub regions - Coonawarra, Mount Benson, Robe, Mount Gambier, Wrattonbully and Padthaway.It's an exciting and diverse region, well known for it's cool climate and natural water resources.
