Mr Barval - Tiny Quantities. Cult Following.
MR BARVAL
Margaret River - shaped by Barolo and Valtellina.
Rob Gherardi, AKA Mr Barval, is one of the few people who truly follow their dreams. He worked at Moss Wood for 4 Years and at Cullen’s for 3 - and then fell heavily for the Barolo region in Piedmont. He now shares his year between making wine in the Margaret River region and hosting guided wine tours in Barolo, Barbaresco and Valtellina. (See below.) All of Rob’s grandparents came from Valtellina, 270 km northeast of Alba in Barolo, and just to the east of Lake Como.
He has built a cult following for his wines.
Hosted by Rob Gherardi, owner & winemaker
Masterclass: 3-5pm, 9 Wines with nibbles, $85
Dinner: 7- 9.30pm, 9 Wines & 4 Courses, $160
14 Guests only in the private room for dinner. But you may book to sit in the restaurant at your own table … with the same wines and menu.
Saturday 20th June
To book please phone 08 9385 0666, email store@lamontscott.com.au or via the link below.
James Halliday on Rob Gherardi of Mr Barval
Robert Gherardi was born with wine in his blood, as a small boy going to Margaret River to pick grapes with three generations of his extended Italian family. The grapes were taken to his grandmother's suburban backyard to begin the fermentation, followed by a big lunch or dinner to celebrate the arrival of the new vintage-to-be. Nonetheless, his first degree was in marine science and biotechnology; while completing the course he worked in an independent wine store in Perth. Having tasted his way around the world in the bottle, and aged 25, he enrolled in the full oenology and viticulture degree. This led to employment at Moss Wood for four years, then Brown Hill Estate as assistant winemaker, and finally to Cullen for three years. Vanya Cullen encouraged him to travel to Barolo and work with Elio Altare for three harvests over a five-year period. This included moving to Barolo with his wife and children to experience the full four seasons of viticulture and winemaking. He returns to Italy each year for his boutique travel business, with customised tours of Barolo, Valtellina and further north. And so he arrived at the name for his winery: Margaret River, Barolo and Valtellina. Exports to Singapore and Hong Kong.
Visit Barolo and Barbaresco with Rob Gherardi – Mr Barval.
Taste of Life Tours is a boutique tour company specialising in delivering unique travel experiences throughout the region of Piedmont, home to the famed Barolo and Barbaresco wine zones in Northern Italy. All tours are focused on showcasing the finest of fine wines and the very best cuisine in this famed wine and food region, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. Taste of Life Tours specialises in arranging completely bespoke custom tour experiences for their clients, typically for about 6 people, over 10 days. Barolo, Barbaresco and Valtellina are Rob’s comfort zones. The 2026 and 2027 tour programmes are SOLD OUT. They are currently taking expressions of interest for 2028.
Mr Barval’s stunning 100 acres property was purchased 3 years ago - and the new plantings are well under way.
Rob and Kellie cleared some of the established vineyards and have replanted with nebbiolo, chardonnay, merlot, marsanne and roussanne et al .. this time based on Rob’s european experiences. The vines are 80cm apart instead of 1.5 to 2 metres, and the row width is 2.5 instead of the common 3.5 to 4 metres. The pruning and trellising regimes are also based on Rob’s experiences in Piedmont.
" After tasting the new releases in May, I believe these are the finest wines Mr Barval has produced to date.”
JJ
About Rob Gherardi, Owner & Winemaker
“My first industry role was with the esteemed Moss Wood in Margaret River, one of Australia’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon producers. What started as a summer job in the vineyard led to a full-time role as Assistant Winemaker and Viticulturist. Eager to expand my knowledge, I moved to Brown Hill Estate for the 2009 vintage before joining the prestigious Cullen Wines, where I embraced biodynamic viticulture and traditional fine-winemaking techniques under the guidance of the inspirational Vanya Cullen.
My time at Cullen opened doors internationally, leading me to Elio Altare in Barolo, Italy, for my first overseas vintage. I spent four years working alongside Elio, gaining invaluable experience in traditional ‘old world’ viticulture and
Piedmont, home to the famed Barolo and Barbaresco wine zones in Northern Italy. All tours are focused on showcasing the finest of fine wines and the very best cuisine in this famed wine and food region, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. Taste of Life Tours specialises in arranging completely bespoke custom tour experiences for their clients, typically for about 6 people, over 10 days. Barolo, Barbaresco and Valtellina are Rob’s comfort zones. The 2026 and 2027 tour programmes are SOLD OUT. They are currently taking expressions of interest for 2028.
winemaking. In 2014, I joined Conterno Fantino in Monforte d’Alba, further deepening my appreciation for these time-honoured techniques.
Eventually, the pull to craft my own wines became undeniable. Armed with the knowledge and experiences gathered across Australia and Italy, I returned home to bring my vision to life.” By Rob, on the Mr Barval website.
The Wine List
First Course
Prima Alba 2025, Our Price $32
Mistral 2025, Our Price $42
Shark Bay whiting, tempura, lemon
Second Course
Chardonnay 2025, Our Price $48
Chardonnay Riserva 2023, Our Price $96
Salmon, walnut tarator, fraîche
Third Course
Nebbiolo Riserva 2023, Our Price $82
Only the second release of this Karridale fruit wine.
Aged in oak barrels for two years and then held in bottle for a further year. Rarely seen outside the Mr Barval Family Wine Club.
Gnocchi, roasted mushrooms, curd
Fourth Course
Cabernet Malbec 2023, Our Price $42
Cabernet Malbec 2024, Our Price $42
Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2022, Our Price $96
Lirica 2023, Our Price $132
This is the first-ever release of the Lirica
Angus à la minute, peppercorn butter, leafy greens
Dessert
Espresso, jam tart
