Dominique Portet did his training at some of the world's most illustrious red winemaking estates. He qualified at the Montpellier University of Oenology and during a compulsory one year military service was the Legion's wine purchasing adviser. Portet spent vintages in the Medoc, Rhone Valley, Provence and with Moet et Chandon. Following vintages in the Napa Valley, the founding of Taltarni and Clover Hill, vintage 2000 would see the establishment of the Dominique Portet label. Choice harvests of Cabernet Sauvignon are treated to a three day cold soak, vinified and left on skins for two to three weeks before maturation, mostly in a selection of fine French oak barrels.