AVANI

Avani is a Sanskrit word that means ‘the earth’.

We are a boutique winery and vineyard producing premium cool-climate wines on the Mornington Peninsula. Adopting a minimal intervention approach, we create wines of character which best express their site and growing season.

Minimal intervention winemaking is about reducing extractions and additions throughout the winemaking process. Our wines are made using indigenous yeast ferments, no fining, no filtration and minimal sulphur.

Avani Syrah is our estate wine, made exclusively from grapes grown on our vineyard in Red Hill South. We use no chemicals or pesticides in our vineyard. Our practices focus on soil health, the protection of indigenous microbes and creating an environment of ecological self-sufficiency in our property. This creates low alcohol wines with great texture, intensity, and integration of flavours.

Our Amrit range showcases Mornington Peninsula vineyards in Main Ridge and Shoreham, which use conventional agricultural practices. These wines (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay) are made in a classic style. We also experiment with new grapes and winemaking approaches in our limited release vintages (skin-contact Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc).

Shashi Singh

Shashi and her husband Devendra have been involved in the hospitality industry (owning and operating restaurants) on the Mornington Peninsula for the last 30 years. It was during this time that Shashi’s interest in wine was first sparked culminated with the purchase of an established vineyard in 1998.

Shashi having a grounding in Chemistry (having completed her Masters in Chemistry from MDU University in 1981) further completed a double degree in Viticulture & Oenology from Charles Stuart University.

In 2000, Shashi and Devendra collaborated with Phillip Jones of Bass Phillip Wines to make wines under the Wildcroft banner. However, it was in 2004 that Shashi began her wine-making apprenticeship working part time at the Bass Phillip winery (and full time during vintage). Over the next 8 years Shashi garnered significant winemaking experience as her role in the winery increased. This was an extremely busy period for Shashi as whilst working part time at Bass Phillip, she was also managing the viticulture at her own property.

The 2009 vintage was Shashi’s breakout year. It was the first vintage Shashi completed by herself under Phillip’s watchful eye at the Leongatha winery. It was in January 2012 that Shashi finally established her own winey at Red Hill South, with the 2012 vintage being the inaugural vintage on the property.