Primo Estate's story began in 1953 with the arrival of Primo Grilli. A grape grower in his home region of Le March in Italy, he emigrated to Australia bringing his skills to Virginia, a small township north of Adelaide.
Primo Grilli's son, Joseph, having graduated Dux of his class at Roseworthy College in 1979, founded Primo Estate. An innovator from the start, Joe experimented with techniques such as double pruning, Amarone style grape drying and botrytis.
Primo Estate quickly established a reputation for truly unique winemaking operations, combining modern Australian know-how with old-school Italian winemaking heritage.
The Grilli family winery has come a long way since that first planting in Virginia, with Joe and Dina planting their dream vineyards in Clarendon and McLaren Vale.
In 2006 Primo Estate opened the stunning new headquarters at McLaren Vale incorporating a cellar door and tasting room which combine modern design with classic Italian practicality to reflect the multicultural influences of the wines and even olive oils.