Ray Jordan’s Winemaker of the Year 2025, Rob Diletti,
Hosts three Castle Rock events at Lamont’s!
From a tiny and largely unknown winery in the isolated Great Southern, improbably, Rob Diletti was …
(A) The James Halliday Wine Companion’s first ever ‘Winemaker of the Year’.
(B) The winner of at least 25 Capital City Wine Show’s Best of varietal Trophies – with 5 different varieties.
(C) The Most Successful under 250/350 tonne producer at a number of serious wine shows.
(D) The craftsman behind James Halliday’s highest pointed Riesling ever and four of Halliday’s 21 highest rated Rieslings to date.
Amongst many others of Rob’s awards … (See others below in box …)
- The Most Successful WA Exhibitor (Under 300 Tonnes – 90% of the entrants?) 2019 at the Perth Wine Show and gained the same award (For Under 250 Tonnes) at the 2019 Wine Show of Western Australia (Mount Barker)…the largest show each year for Western Australian wines.
- A finalist twice, in 2012 and in 2019 in Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
Sunday September 14th
Hosted by the critically acclaimed, Winemaker of the Year - Rob Diletti
Lunch: Noon-3pm. Wines & 5 Course Menu, $155
Tasting: 4-6pm, With Kate Lamont nibbles, $75
Dinner: 6.30pm, Wines & 5 Course Menu, $155
Angelo Diletti (left) and son Rob Diletti (right) at the Wine Show of WA awards 2022.
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Rob Diletti – the quiet achiever
Rob Diletti is understated and reserved. Flamboyance is not a word in the Diletti lexicon. Not one for boasting or seeking the spotlight, he goes about his business tucked away in his winery in the Porongurup, quietly and with total professionalism making great wine.
He doesn’t have to boast or push his barrow. Others do that for him. In addition to making wine under his own Castle Rock Estate label, he makes wine for many other producers in the Great Southern and they are more than happy to let everyone know that he is their winemaker.
It’s almost an endorsement of their wines because most people in the industry know that Diletti is one of the State's best winemakers.
He is quiet but certain in his judgement. A few years ago I was judging with him at the Perth Royal Wine Show and there was, shall we say, a robust discussion about one of the wines, needing him to adjudicate and make the final decision.
A thoughtful sniff, a considered sip and a series of quick and concise comments before he made his choice, thanked all, and then moved to the next panel of judges.
No fanfare. Simply clarity and certainty.
Typical of his humility, he attributes the success of Castle Rock to the decision his parents Angelo and Wendy made in planting the vineyard on an east-facing slope of the Pororongup Range.
Rob’s early years working in the family’s vineyard sparked his passion for grape growing. This interest led him to pursue a degree in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University which was complemented by experience at wineries such as Mountadam Wines, Grosset Wines, Plantagenet Wines, and Jean Grenier in Alsace, as well as Alkoomi Wines.
In 2001, Rob co-designed the Castle Rock Estate winery, a 200-tonne facility. His return to Castle Rock marked the beginning of a new chapter, where his winemaking skills quickly attracted attention and accolades.
His achievements include the Tony Smith Scholarship, Young Achiever of the Year by the Wine Industry Association of Western Australia, and Young Winemaker of the Year by Wine Selectors.
Rob’s influence extends beyond the winery, with his active role in wine show judging nationwide. He has served as a panel leader at the Perth Royal Wine Show, the Wine Show of WA, the Margaret River Wine Show, and the Sydney Royal Wine Show. Has also received one of 12 scholarships for the annual Len Evans Tutorial in 2005.
At Castle Rock Estate, Rob adheres to the philosophy that "fruit is king," aiming to showcase the purest expression of their unique terroir. The estate’s east-facing site, with its early morning sun and cooling easterly breezes, provides an ideal environment for riesling and pinot noir, varieties for which Diletti is best known
He has a meticulous approach to viticulture, focusing on factors like vine fruit load, sunlight penetration, and airflow, to produce fruit that reflect their distinct origin. His minimal intervention in winemaking preserves the varietal character of the wines, while traditional techniques for reds enhance their complexity and structure.
He says: “To achieve this, we need ripe and pristine fruit, that is free of stress and disease. We achieve this through careful vineyard management, focusing on a vine’s fruit load, sunlight penetration and airflow through the canopy/vineyard.
“Within the winery, we minimise winemaker intervention where possible to maintain a wine’s varietal expression.
“Avoiding unnecessary skin contact, maceration and oxidation is how we achieve this with white varieties. Whereas when working with red varieties, we follow more traditional winemaking methods such as the use of oak barrels, whole bunch fermentations, and extended maceration to build complexity and structure, but never at the detriment of varietal expression.
The easterly aspect, in my opinion, has turned out to be what makes our site so unique. We get the early morning sun and not the hot afternoon sun, the prevailing wind in summer is easterly.
In most of WA, it is hot, but for us, it comes off the bight, so there is a cooling sea breeze, although we are only 300m above sea level, the surrounding land is low and flat, so I believe that the way the easterly is uplifted as it hits the Porongurups is important too
Rob Diletti’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has cemented Castle Rock Estate’s reputation as one of the region’s finest producers. His ability to produce consistently outstanding wines, particularly riesling and pinot noir has led to numerous awards and accolades. His role as a contract winemaker for other grape growers has also brought acclaim, further highlighting his exceptional skills and influence in the wine industry.
I have tasted many of Diletti’s wines over the years, his own and those under other labels, and the underlying feature is the preservation of fruity purity and vibrancy. There is no unnecessary interference. Just a deft touch of the winemaker’s hand when the fruit needs a little coaxing to head it in the right direction.
A worthy recipient of Winemaker of the Year.
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Rob Diletti is the winemaking son of Castle Rock Estate founders Angelo and Wendy Diletti. During his formative years Rob worked in the family’s vineyard, developing a keen interest in grape-growing.
After graduating from Charles Sturt University with a Wine Science degree, Rob gained valuable winemaking experience at Mountadam Wines, Grosset Wines, Plantagenet Wines, Jean Grenier in Alsace, and Alkoomi Wines prior to returning home to Castle Rock Estate.
In 2001 he co-designed the Castle Rock Estate winery, a 200-tonne winery set within the family’s vineyards. Soon after taking over the winemaking, Rob was recognised for the quality of the wines he made.
These accolades include the Tony Smith Scholarship, Young Achiever of the Year (Wine industry Association of Western Australia), Young Winemaker of the Year (Wine Selectors) and was named the inaugural Winemaker of the Year in James Halliday’s Wine Companion in 2015.
Throughout his career, Rob has been heavily involved in wine show judging all around the nation. He has been a regular judge at the Perth Royal Wine Show (as a Panel Leader) as well as the Wine Show of WA, Margaret River Wine Show, Sydney Royal Wine Show and numerous others. His passion for wine judging and furthering the quality of Australian wine also saw him accepted as one of 12 scholars for the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2005.
It is Rob’s dedication and attention to detail that has ensured the ongoing high quality of wines being made at Castle Rock Estate with Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being the most recognised varieties. The overall consistent quality of his wines has seen him receive regular trophies for best producer under 250 tonnes at the Wine Show of WA. This has led to several like-minded grape growers approaching Rob to make their wines as a contract winemaker. These wines have also received acclaim and stand alongside Castle Rock Estate as some of the region’s best wines.
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In the various Australian Wine Companion editions, Australia’s only essential reference annual work for both wineries and the public, Rob Diletti has made ….
2013: 11% of the highest ranked Rieslings - 3 of 27 above 96 pts.
2014: 12% of the highest ranked Rieslings - 3 of 26 above 96pts. (Inc - Top Wine.)
2015: 21% of the highest ranked Rieslings - 3 of 14 above 97 points.
2016: 12% of the highest ranked Rieslings - 2 of 17 above 97 points.
2017: 13% of highest ptd Rieslings - 3 of 23 above 97 pts. (Inc – Top Wine.)
2018: 15% of the highest pointed Rieslings – 3 of 20 above 97 pts. (Inc. a 99 pt Riesling – Halliday’s highest ever.)
2019: 19% of the highest pointed Rieslings – 4 of 21 above 97 points. (Inc - Top Wine.)
2020: 8.3% of the highest pointed Rieslings – 1 of 12 above
2021: 33% of the three equal highest pointed Rieslings – 1 of 3 on 98 points and … 15% of the highest pointed Rieslings – 2 of 13 above 96 points.
2022: 25% of the four highest pointed Rieslings 1 of 4 on 98 points and …. 14% or 2 of 14 of those at 97 points or above.
He has crafted The James Halliday Australian Wine Companion’s Riesling of the Year in the 2014, 2018 & 2019 Editions.
He has made 4 of James Halliday’s 21 highest pointed Rieslings – including Halliday’s only 99 pointed Riesling – ever!!
Wise words from the Critics…
Wise words from the Critics…
The quality of wines, particularly riesling, coming from this little producer in the past couple of years justifies the decision by Angelo Diletti to establish his vineyard in the cool Porongurup. His son Rob now makes the wines and believes the site is perfect for white wines that age, be it riesling or chardonnay. Recent success has been significant. Pinot is very good. One of Australia’s best boutique producers.”
- Ray Jordan, rayjordanwine.com
The countless trophies and gold medals leave no doubt about Diletti’s skills, although he pays tribute to father Angelo’s decision to select this truly unique east-facing 55 ha property…
- James Halliday, The Australian Newspaper, July 2022
Rob Diletti’s tireless work in Great Southern, W.A, has helped put the subregion of Porongurup on the map for its world-class Riesling.
- Peter Forrestal, Gourmettravellerwine.com
Rob Diletti of Castle Rock Estate, a Halliday Winemaker of Year, Chief Judge, Winner 25+ Capital City Wine Show Trophies, a John Jens "Nice guy of the Year!" Maker of Halliday's highest pointed Riesling ever, Most Successful Small Exhibitor at both Perth and Mt Barker in 2019 ... Robbie has made 4 of Halliday's 21 highest pointed Rieslings ever!
- John Jens (JJ)
The Wine List and Menu
2024 Riesling Estate
Silver Medal Wine Show of Western Australia 2024
If, as many say, riesling is the purest transmitter of terroir that we know, then there’s no better way to tell the compelling story of Western Australia’s remote Porongurup region than through the achingly pure and expressive wines produced by the Diletti family of Castle Rock. Citrussy, alluring floral and a kinetic minerality are at play here. Coiled power and astonishing length.
The Australian Magazine Top 100 Wines
and… 95 Points - Nick Ryan, The Australian
2018 Riesling Estate
Steel lace. That comes to mind. Conceptual, I know. Lemon-lime scents, touches of bath salts, ozone and green apple. The palate is where it’s all happening, tight, super racy, exceptionally long, shimmering with the finest, firmest acidity known to mankind. Acid hounds line up! It’s a belter in its style.
93 Points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
2024 Diletti Riesling
All estate fruit and racked to the barrel with solids. Matured in seasoned French oak puncheons on light lees for 10 months. Lemon citron, Jonathan apple and star fruit. Bronze fennel, pomelo pith and crumbling halva. Peanut shell, kombu and acidity swirl outwards from the centre. It’s worth its weight in gold, this wine, providing everything you can want in a fine white wine. Light on its feet with freshness, zeal and complexity. A wine that could easily be the choice for a beachside wedding or served alongside a whole roast chicken with truffle stuffing. Some bay leaf on the finish. Beautiful.
95 Points - Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot
2024 A&W Riesling
Silver Medal Wine Show of Western Australia 2024
This is Rob’s annual tribute to his parents, Angelo and Wendy, who founded the estate. The fruit comes from the best performing Riesling blocks on the estate each vintage, indeed, hand-harvested from the pick of the rows. The wine spends four months on lees, post ferment. A pale green/gold hue, the wine has aromas weaving through citrus, again those limes and grapefruit pith, with florals and that minerally chalky support. A wine of good energy, with focus and length, juicy acidity and that impressive length, with the intensity of flavour never wavering. Cracking Riesling. Fifteen to twenty years potential here.
96 Points - Ken Gargett, Winepilot
2024 Estate Chardonnay
A lively cool climate chardonnay. This wine sees a shorter maturation time on lees in French oak. The resulting wine is intriguing, textual and full of fresh fruit flavour. Colour: Pale straw in colour. Bouquet: An alluring bouquet of flint, stone fruit and oak toast. Palate: Stone fruits fill the front palate with balanced oak toast and mealiness adding a savoury foil of complexity. Hints of flint and funk with a fresh acid pucker completes this fun and delicious wine.
Tasting Notes - Castle Rock Offical Website
2021 Diletti Chardonnay
Diletti has built quite a bit if winemaking into this very good chardonnay from what was a cooler season. After barrel fermentation, extended lees contact with solids has built a rich textural element into the palate. Aromas of grapefruit and mealy cashew characters on the nose. The palate is rich, but the tight linear savoury element defines the focus and length. One of the best chardonnays from Castle Rock.
94 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordanwine.com
2016 Diletti Chardonnay
The Real Review’s Top Chardonnay #1 of 18 2016 Chardonnay from Great Southern
This is a completely delicious chardonnay, with more energy and verve than most in the market, and certainly those at this price. Such fabulous purity and detail, plus a beautiful line of acidity. I like the cleanliness of its expression and its refreshing nature. A complete bargain, highly recommended.
95 Points - Toni Paterson, The Real Review
2024 Pinot Noir Estate [NEW RELEASE]
This 2024 Pinot Noir is one of a trio of new releases from Rob Diletti and his multi awarded Castle Rock Estate team. The harvest was from across the whole estate & the grapes vinified via a range of techniques including cold-soaking, whole-bunch and barrel fermentation. The result is a layered, muscular, exuberant and grippy Pinot Noir with initial aromas of charry oak, maraschino cherries and dried herbs. The sweet-and-savoury mid-palate allows the aromas and flavours to unfurl on breathing. Definitely one to accompany hearty flavoured winter dishes.
94 Points - Winelines, Gilbert Labour
2017 Pinot Noir Estate
The Real Review’s Top Pinot Noir - #4 of 20 2017 Pinot Noir from Western Australia
Good retention of hue and depth. This is one of the best pinot noirs from Castle Rock. The bouquet and palate seamlessly interact, each with red cherry, wild strawberries, mirror-smooth but important tannins and totally integrated oak. Can't be climate change, but could easily - indeed most likely - be greater vine maturity.
96 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion (2021)
2024 Diletti Pinot Noir
This is quite a different style from the standard Pinot from Castle Rock. There appears to be more winemaking influence, and after hand picking and whole bunch fermentation, the wine manages to produce lovely aromas of perfumed cherry and strawberry, but it is in the palate where the difference is manifest. The colour is quite a deal lighter, but there is immense power here with fine chalky tannins and a neatly integrated oak regime combining to carry the wine through to an endlessly long finish. This is a classy wine with the structure and the quality of fruit to handle extended cellaring, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves over the years.
95 Points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
2024 A&W Pinot Noir
This is a wine that pays homage to the founders of Castle Rock, Rob’s parents, Wendy and Angelo. This is an exquisitely crafted wine of polish, of texture and immense depth of quality fruit. The colour is quite brilliant and alive with a brilliance and a luminosity bursting from the glass. It’s quite light, but that can be deceptive. There is a driving intensity with the tannins and oak harnessing the fruit, and really is a testament to clever winemaking to pull all the components together into a wine that is focused and elegantly long through the palate. This was a warm year throughout Western Australia, yet it appears the higher altitude Porongurup region has handled the heat rather well, and this is an excellent wine.
96 Points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
2022 Shiraz
A classic cool climate style Shiraz, elegant and spiced.Fruit sourced from Kalgan, Albany. Machine harvested. Crushed and destemmed to stainless steel for fermentation. 3 weeks on skins before being pressed. Racked to a mix of French oak Puncheons and barriques (21% new). 12 months barrel maturation.Deep ruby. Cracked pepper, black olives and bay leaves fill the nose. The palate is plush and supple, dark fruits holding the spice and oak in check. There’s an elegance to the wine, driven by cool climate acid structure. Great balance, with a long refreshing finish.
Tasting Notes - Castle Rock Offical Website
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Deep red colour. Bouquet: Varietal bouquet which shows blackberry and cassis aromas, backed by hints of choc mint, dried bay leaf and cedary oak characters. Palate: Blackberry and cassis fill the front palate, providing weight and generosity, leading into firm tannin structure on the mid palate. Fresh acidity, interwoven through the palate, provide balance to the tannin structure, creating drive and length. Dried bay leaf and subtle choc mint join the cedary oak characters in offering layers of complexity to compliment the balance of the mid palate. A long, fine finish caps of a Cabernet Sauvignon of poise and balance.
Tasting Notes - Castle Rock Offical Website
NV Muscat 375ml
GOLD 95 Points, Wine Show of WA 2020
GOLD, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2020
Golden Yellow colour with orange hues. Bouquet: Attractive nose showing youthful Muscat fruit characters of rose petal and raisins. This is complemented by some older developed, complex, rancio aromas. Palate: A delicate fortified style showing luscious, rich and smooth flavours of raisins and lifted rose petals. The light rancio flavours add complexity and a rich mid palate. The finish is warm and luscious with an orange rind and marmalade tangy aftertaste. Food accompaniment: A perfect after dinner wine, complementing rich desserts and coffees. Also great for marinating strawberries.
Tasting Notes - Castle Rock Offical Website