When Carla Rodeghiero, owner of Canberra Region winery Sapling Yard, entered her blended red 2023 wine, The Extrovert, into the Australian and NZ Boutique Wine Awards, she knew “it would probably get something”.

And it did, winning the show’s best red blend award.

A labour of love for 10 months, Carla says the blend of mourvèdre, shiraz and touriga created a “well-balanced wine”.

Entering six wines into the 2024 competition, Carla was rewarded after the vineyard also took home a silver for its white wine blend.

Labelled The Four Pinots, the winning white wine blend is made up of pinot gris, pinot noir, pinot meunier and pinot blanc, a combination of which creates a distinctive amber colour.

The Four Pinots took home the trophy in the 2023 awards for the best white wine blend.

“We’re now known to be good at blending,” says Carla. “There’s a creative edge to that.”

In business for 11 years, Carla works alongside business partner Malcolm , who brings with him a wealth of knowledge after being in the industry for almost 30 years.

Dreaming about owning a winery since her early 20s, Carla prides herself on being a small-business owner within a larger industry.

“It’s very hands-on, we do everything,” she says.

“We only make 250 cases and our whole premise is that we make small batches of high-quality wine.”

Using grapes from their own vineyard in the Hilltops Shire in addition to sourcing fruit from Tumbarumba, Lake George and Murrumbateman, Carla says she loves working with passionate growers in the region.

“I’m hoping to expand to Braidwood,” she says.

“You can’t make great wine out of average fruit, so we are very reliant on great quality coming into the winery.”

Sapling Yard is one of many boutique vineyards in the region making a name for themselves for quality wine.

Heavily reliant on shows, events and word-of-mouth, Carla says it’s important for people to support small vineyards.

“I think people aren’t aware of how many brands are actually owned by the big companies,” she says.

“The vast majority of brands are owned by a small number of large companies.

“So boutique wine shows and events are really important because they only show the smaller growers/makers and producers of wine.”

To enter into some of these shows, wine producers have to produce less than 250 tonnes of wine.

“That’s a really small amount,” says Carla. “But that’s what we pride ourselves on.”

With plans to expand in the future, Carla says their sights are now set at trying some new varieties.

“There’s a lot of interest in Italian varieties as well as Spanish varieties,” she says.

“It’s a very exciting time to be working in the wine industry.”

Grown in a cool climate, Carla says Sapling Yard produces wines that reflect the natural beauty of the land.

“Our wines are made with dedication, precision, authenticity and passion, which is clearly displayed in the quality of the wine.”