Oscar Hermann Wines
Saint Andrews, Yarra Valley, VIC

Oscar Hermann initially launched under 'Combes Wines' in the summer of 2016 with a clear & heartfelt goal: to craft delicious, unpretentious wines that bring people together—wines to open without ceremony, yet still invite conversation. The first release, just two barrels of Yarra Valley rosé, marked the quiet but confident beginning of that vision. It was a modest milestone, but one that laid the foundation for a label now known for clarity, precision, and a deep respect for place.

Oscar’s journey into wine began on the floor of Melbourne’s City Wine Shop, where he immersed himself in the world of terroir-driven wines from both the old world and the new. He built a practical understanding of wine from the ground up, later working vintages at Yering Station in the Yarra Valley & as a cellar hand at Stonier & Onannon on the Mornington Peninsula. These hands-on experiences sparked an enduring fascination with Victoria’s diverse viticultural landscape—from the volcanic soils of Macedon to the silty loams of the Yarra.

Following a cease & desist under the Combes label, the eponymous wines soon followed. Driven by curiosity & a growing sense of creative independence, Oscar began seeking out small vineyard parcels that reflected the nuance and individuality of their sites. the wines became his lens for interpreting these landscapes—subtle variations in soil, elevation, and microclimate—through minimal intervention and thoughtful, restrained winemaking.

The influence of family is never far from the surface. His brother, Kaspar Hermann, now head winemaker at Rochford, joined Oscar for a handful of early vintages. These shared harvests helped sharpen Oscar’s approach & reinforced the belief that great wine starts with a respectful relationship to the land and the grower.

Today, Oscar Hermann sources & farms organic fruit primarily from the Yarra Valley, with an emphasis on working closely with growers who share Oscar’s low-impact, site-focused philosophy. The wines—typically made in small batches—are energetic, detailed, and expressive. Whether it’s a nervy Chardonnay, a lifted Pinot Noir, or a textured rosé, each bottling speaks to a specific time & place, while remaining highly drinkable & generous in spirit.

In 2022, Oscar signed a lease on a mature vineyard in St Andrews, a site with plantings dating back to 1995. It marks a new chapter for Oscar Hermann—a chance not only to deepen his connection to the Yarra, but to farm & steward a site with long-term intent. As the vines begin to respond to this renewed organic approach, so too will the wines.