Terre à Terre
Terre à Terre is a premium Australian wine estate founded by Xavier Bizot and Lucy Croser, deeply rooted in both French winemaking heritage and Australian innovation. The name, which means "down to earth" in French, reflects their philosophy: terroir-driven viticulture with minimal intervention and uncompromising quality.
History of Terre à Terre
The story of Terre à Terre begins with the union of two illustrious wine legacies: Champagne and Australian fine wine. Xavier Bizot, son of Christian Bizot, the former chairman of Champagne Bollinger, brought with him a profound understanding of vineyard expression and traditional French craftsmanship. Lucy Croser is the daughter of Brian Croser, a pioneer of modern Australian winemaking and founder of Petaluma.
Together, Xavier and Lucy established Terre à Terre in 2004, planting their first vines in Wrattonbully, a rising star within South Australia’s Limestone Coast. From the beginning, their vision was clear: to create wines that honour the precision of Old World viticulture while showcasing the potential of Australian terroirs.
In 2005, they expanded their operation with Clos Terre à Terre, a small vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley within the Adelaide Hills, dedicated to Chardonnay. They later built their own winery at the historic Tiers Vineyard, further cementing their commitment to small-batch, high-quality winemaking. Today, the estate is fully independent, controlling every step from vine to bottle, including export and distribution through their company, Terroir Selections.
Region and Vineyards
Terre à Terre operates two key vineyard sites: Crayères Vineyard in Wrattonbully and Clos Terre à Terre in Piccadilly Valley.
The Crayères Vineyard, named after the chalk cellars of Champagne, is situated atop a limestone ridge and underlain by natural caves. Its Terra Rossa topsoil over porous limestone provides excellent drainage and moisture retention. Planted at high density (4,444 vines/ha), the site is home to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc, with vines trained low to benefit from ground heat in the cool Wrattonbully climate.
In contrast, Clos Terre à Terre, perched at 500 meters in the Adelaide Hills, produces elegant Chardonnay. The site's cool temperatures and high humidity allow for extended ripening and a pure expression of fruit and minerality.
Both vineyards are sustainably farmed and managed with precision, drawing on both French and Australian viticultural practices.
Wine Range of Terre à Terre
Terre à Terre’s portfolio is compact yet diverse, focusing on site-specific, age-worthy wines. Their flagship releases include:
- Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz – A structured, fruit-driven blend inspired by the great Australian tradition, with a French sensibility.
- Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc – A varietal expression rarely seen in Australia, showcasing herbal finesse and fine tannins.
- Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc – An expressive white wine crafted with texture in mind, often partially barrel-fermented.
- Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay (Clos Terre à Terre) – A refined Chardonnay grown at altitude in Piccadilly, marked by tension, citrus precision, and subtle oak.
Limited production and a meticulous approach to winemaking ensure that each wine reflects both terroir and vintage character.
Did you know?
Xavier Bizot and Lucy Croser were among the first to recognise Wrattonbully’s potential for premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The Crayères Vineyard is one of the few in the region planted at such high vine density, mimicking the Bordeaux model to enhance canopy management and fruit concentration.
