ABOUT US
VIGNERONS
Steels Gate Wines Co-Directors/Owners and Vignerons (grow their own fruit and make the wine themselves) Matthew Davis and Brad Atkins have over 15 years leadership and management experience in the wine industry.
Matthew, with Brads support over key times throughout the year, is responsible for the viticulture across the two ‘blocks’ that make up Steels Gate Wine estates. Conversely, Brad is responsible for the Steels Gate Restaurant and Cellar Door located at their Dixons Creek vineyard, with Matthew on standby to support as needed. The two partners then come together in the winery throughout the year to make the Steels Gate Wines.
Steels Gate Wines maintains a focus on strengthening environmental sustainability across all facets from vine to final wine production. Both vineyards have been converted to dry-grown with a “minimal intervention” approach being taken, which includes majority organic fungicide spraying and no use of herbicides or pesticides . Matthew’s research into alternative measures to combat under vine weed growth and suppression have led to a transformational change in the way both blocks are maintained. In addition to organic fertilising, green manure crops have been planted to naturally bring essential minerals to their vines.
Matthew and Brad both come from a corporate background, with Matthew completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Brad a Bachelor of Science. Matthew has over 20 years’ experience in automotive design, engineering and manufacturing, with 11 of those years as an executive with General Motors. His career has seen him work in the USA, South Korea and Australia. Brad commenced his working career in the genetics department at Melbourne University with his career primarily focused in the areas of Program Management and Management Consulting across multiple industries.
While living in the USA, the couple purchased their first vineyard in Steels Creek, at which point they had their wine made under contract. After a seven and a half year stint overseas, they returned to Australia at the start of 2015 with their four year old son Sebastian, and started to set up their own winery. 2016 saw the two release the first wine made themselves under close instruction from their previous winemaker.
Steels Gate was not their first introduction to the wine industry, in 2004 they established a retail and wholesale wine business in Chapel St, Windsor. Brad left his corporate position at this time to run the business, which they subsequently sold in 2006 when they suspected Matthew would be sent overseas with his corporate job.
Steels Gate Home Block Vineyard is situated at 230m above sea level and was planted in the late 1970’s on an undulating slope on friable grey loam soils.
Purchased in 2009 by Matthew and Brad, this site was overrun by blackberries and the vines were in need of some significant nurturing. Having previously been used in award winning wines, the challenge was set to return the vines once again to their former glory. It is at this site that the Steels Gate winery is located.
THE WINERY
Steels Gate Home Block Vineyard is situated at 230m above sea level and was planted in the late 1970’s on an undulating slope on friable grey loam soils.
Purchased in 2009 by Matthew and Brad, this site was overrun by blackberries and the vines were in need of some significant nurturing. Having previously been used in award winning wines, the challenge was set to return the vines once again to their former glory. It is at this site that the Steels Gate winery is located.
The block which is surrounded by King Lake National park consists of 50:50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines and is completely un-irrigated and hand nurtured.
In 2017, Matthew and Brad decided they needed to expand their business and get out of the corporate world. After investigating all alternatives, the two of them discovered an amazing vineyard with restaurant and cellar door for sale in Dixons Creek, which they acquired in early 2018. This new purchase tripled the size of their estate and in addition to adding more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it diversified their estate offerings with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, plus a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines (now used in their single barrel range).
Expecting to run a cellar door with “cafe” type food, Matthew and Brad suddenly found themselves as restaurateurs for the first time ever as demand for top quality food was constant – with the restaurant recognised as a 4.7 out of 5 star establishment on Google and 5 out of 5 on Facebook.
FLY-OVER CELLAR DOOR
Steels Gate Cellar Door, Dixons Creek, Victoria
LEARN MORE
SEBASTIAN ATKINS-DAVIS
Kate Kilsby began cooking professionally after being inspired by the meals and chefs she encountered while travelling through Europe. Her subsequent training was primarily based in classical French cuisine with training taking place in restaurants in Melbourne and the German Alps.
Numerous head and Executive chef roles in Melbourne led to a change of direction and Kate spent 4 years cooking for small groups on a prestigious charter yacht around the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Returning to Melbourne she opened Café Bedda, serving a small menu of daily changing Sicilian dishes which drew inspiration from her time in the south of Italy.
A tree-change to the Yarra Valley in 2018 bought cooking stints at Giant Steps Restaurant, Rochford Winery and The Farm Warrandyte before joining winemaker Mac Forbes at Graceburn Wineroom. Always curious about the world of food Kate draws on her vast range of culinary experience to create approachable and interesting dishes.
Kate is really excited to showcase local & fresh produce, expanding on her knowledge and experience. Kate is excited to be part of the Steels Gate family as the Steels Gate ethos is keeping with her own values – smaller, boutique & sustainability focused. “There is a sense of well-being and connection when working in the country. Having my own chef’s garden is exciting and inspirational”
REVIEWS
It’s away with the mange: The winery family who rescued a wombat
Come Try Sebastian’s Wines at Steels Gate’s Restaurant along with Dinner!
Yarra Valley vintage ends in joy for two Club Members
Steels Gate Wines | Dog Friendly Winery in Dixons Creek (Yarra Valley)
Five Wineries to Visit with Your Dog This Autumn in Regional Victoria
MEDIA
In the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires, the Northern Yarra Landcare Network emerged to address the environmental challenges in the northern Yarra catchment. This network, comprising dedicated Landcare groups, focuses on sustainable practices and weed eradication, particularly targeting blackberry growth post-fire. Featured in Melbourne Water’s ‘From the Ground Up’ video series, this case study highlights the commitment of Land-carers like Steels Gate Owner and Vigneron, Matthew Davis, in restoring and protecting the local environment, underlining Melbourne Water’s ongoing support for these vital environmental volunteers.
