What the experts are saying about our wines:

From the 2011 James Halliday 'Australian Wine Companion'

Prophet Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008 - Strong, clear colour, has a fragrant bouquet centred on cherry, plum and raspberry aromas; the palate is silky and juicy, with very good mouthfeel and length. Rating 95

Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 - Bright green straw; very much in the modern idiom, early picked and subtle French oak; flavours of nectarine, white peach and grapefruit drive the palate through to its long conclusion. Rating 94

Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - An elegant wine, with cedar and spice nuances rippling through the base of black currant and cassis, the texture very fine, tannins and oak simply providing background. Rating 94

On the 2008 Pinot Noir

"90 Points - You'd hardly complain if someone served you this. It's a very nice drop. It tastes of stewed, but pleasant beetroot flavours, and perhaps some earthiness too, on top of the more usual flavours of macerated cherries and spice. It's perfumed and dry, lightly tannic, and offers good all-round drinking."

Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/11

On the 2006 Mandala Prophet Pinot Noir
“91 (4 stars) - Foresty, slightly vegetal whole-bunch aromas add a savoury aspect, which might not be for everyone. Rich, perfumed palate with lots of sweet cherry as well as those savoury aspects. Quite a complex pinot. It comes up in the glass too.”
Australian Gourmet Traveller and Australian Gourmet Wine Traveller Wine, November 2008

On the 2007 Chardonnay
“After a few minutes or so, this wine really opens up and reveals flavours such as citrus lime to caramel and butterscotch. Nothing too sweet here though – just really fresh and subtle. Great summer drinking.”
MX Brisbane and MX Sydney, November 2008

On the 2006 Cabernet Merlot
“In my recent tastings, this supple Yarra Valley drop, with its grapevine mandala on the label, was a stand-out on the under $20 bracket. It is medium bodied with mouthfuls of sweet berry fruit and a well-balanced palate. Perfect to pull for casual entertaining or take along to BYO restaurants.”
Toni Paterson, Qantas Magazine, July 2008

On the 2006 Pinot Noir
“A new label in the Yarra Valley, this pinot is made from venerable Dixons Creek vines. It’s earthy, with plenty of plumminess but also has some savoury notes and considerable depth.”
Greg Duncan Powell, Sydney Morning Herald, 03 May 08, ‘Spectrum’

On the 2006 Cabernet Merlot
“Almost NZ-ish in its sappiness and curranty fruit: there are strawberry pips among the wet autumn woodsy smell, too. Lush palate, really squeezed and easy with a lick of savoury oak at the back. Plush, lush and tongue-coating: squeezed foreign fruits mingle with fine, supple tannins.”
Tim White, The Age, 29 Feb 08, ‘Melbourne Magazine’

“This winery is a new discovery, fielding several smart wines at attractive prices.”
Huon Hooke, Good Living SMH, 15 Jan 08 ‘Tastings’

“This wine typifies the best of modern chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. I has a nose of lime, grapefruit and melons and a well integrated, balanced palate with a subtle hint of oak.”
Karen Feldman, Postcards magazine, Jan 08, ‘Wine Feature Yarra Valley

What the experts are saying about our venue:

“It’s only a handful of times that you are moved enough to re-tell the story of a main meal over and over. Mandala’s Chef de Cuisine Mauro Callegari’s exquisite Lamb Navarin is one such experience.”
Andrew McUtchen, STARDOM, November 2008

“The latest hot spot for gourmet visitors already spoilt for choice is Mandala, an exciting new cellar door/ restaurant facility. The brainchild of Charles Smedley and his family, Mandala released its first wines in 2007 and opened a lovely cellar door made from recycled materials in the middle of the year. The ultra-chic restaurant and bar offers lunches Thursday to Monday and dinners on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Winsor Dobbin, Golf Magazine October 2008

“There’s a new destination to add to your list for your next trip to the Yarra Valley. Mandala Wines is now open. Judging from its recent opening celebrations, a fine balance of food and wine is already on the cards with head chef Mauro Callegari’s Mediterranean-influenced menu providing the perfect platform to show-case Mandala’s wines.”
Fifi Lim, Leader Newspaper, July 2008