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Inspired by the Mediterranean. UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN.

Vintage 2006 formed the original winemaking partnership of Don Lewis and Narelle King, their vision beginning in Priorat, Spain where they immersed themselves within the classic Mediterranean wine regions & varietals, sparking an interest in how they could be expressed at home in Central Victoria.

Since then, Tar & Roses (named after the signature characteristics of Nebbiolo) has been dedicated to creating unique, Australian expressions of Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo & Nebbiolo alongside the more traditional Shiraz & Riesling.

With Don’s sad passing in 2017, Narelle continues their tradition & legacy by handcrafting these unique wines, including more recently, premium cool climate Chardonnay & Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula.

Our Winemaker

A childhood spent in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, followed by university in Adelaide and Sydney, gave Narelle, at an early age, an open-mindedness and passion for travel that set the perfect foundation for a successful career in the wine industry.

While travelling in South America after university, Narelle met a young Australian winemaker who had just completed vintage in Argentina and lived in France. This lifestyle and the wine business appealed to her greatly, so upon returning to Australia, Narelle promptly enrolled in a Winemaking Degree at Charles Sturt University and has never looked back.

With previous qualifications as a Chartered Accountant, Key Accounts experience for a major spirits company and her extensive travel history, Narelle was offered a position at Mitchelton winery, involving accountancy and some cellar work. It was here Narelle met Winemaker Don Lewis. A strong friendship and great winemaking partnership was forged.

I want the wines to be beautiful and appealing. They’re not necessarily easy wines to sell. They are different from the mainstream.

Winemaking Style

Tar & Roses, to me, is my opportunity to be, to a large degree, the master of my own destiny. I’m given the ability to express the grape varietals in a way that most appeals to me, a rare opportunity in winemaking, unless you are an owner operator. The success of the brand is closely linked with our own efforts to sell the concept to customers and consumers alike.


I want the wines to be beautiful and appealing. The varieties lack a sense of commerciality as consumers learn to understand the varietals and the wines style. They’re not necessarily easy wines to sell. They are different from the mainstream and I have always been attracted to things that are out of the norm or slightly odd. This is one of the main reasons I was attracted to this project in the first place.
Map of our wine locations

At Tar & Roses, the ampersand in our logo is more than a mark—it’s a mindset. It speaks to the spirit of collaboration that defines our winemaking journey. From the early vision shared with Don Lewis, to ongoing partnerships with Anthony Fikkers and Giovanni Rosso, every wine we craft is shaped by connection, curiosity, and a shared love of great fruit. The ampersand reminds us: together, we go further.

DON LEWIS

ANTHONY FIKKERS

GIOVANNI ROSSO

Our Philosophy

It’s the little things that make the difference. The care and continued maintenance of the wines during maturation, the constant monitoring of temperature and acid levels during ferment, plus the use of quality fruit at the outset combine to ensure a quality wine result. I’m not into set and forget.

NARELLE KING
TAR & ROSES WINEMAKER