About
Basia Mille – They call it “the kissing wine”.
A country boy from the Italian Lakes sat in Clodia’s room at Rome over two thousand years ago. Catullus was bewitched by his beloved’s eyes, her sophistication, her sensuality. He began to write poetry in Latin. It was the first intensely personal, lyric poetry ever written. It has influenced poets ever since.
“Basia Mille” means “one thousand passionate kisses”. An early poem contains the line “Da mihi basia mille, dein centum, dein mille” . Its translation can be seen as line seven in this translation of the whole poem.
“Living, dear Clodia, is useless without loving
The wisdom of censorious old men
Are worth a penny, every piece of advice.
One day follows another, the sun comes back
But when once we have died, we cannot!
One night comes for us and it is one night for ever.
Give me a thousand passionate kisses, and then a hundred,
Then a second thousand, and then a hundred
And when we have kissed many, many thousands of times,
Let us forget to count. ‘Tis better not to know –
Knowing will bring someone’s jealous eye upon us
Were people to know how much kissing there has been.
We think good wines and real olive oil can kiss your palate in just the same way. Wine is to a sumptuous meal what a delicious kiss is to love! But Geraldine and I do not want to hide this beautiful experience from you. We would like you to partake over and over again.
Take a look around in our Photo Gallery
THE “BASIA MILLE” VINEYARD AND OLIVE GROVE is on Waratah Ridge, South Gippsland, overlooking Wilson’s Promontory and Bass Strait. The vines were first planted in 1997 and the first vintage was produced in 2002. Gold medal winemaker, Owen Schmidt of Lyre Bird Hill, has made this 2004 Pinot Noir for your enjoyment. It is a classic vintage: intense fruit flavours of cherry, plum and blackberry infuse its herbaceous peppery bouquet with just a whiff of cinnamon. A refreshing long palate and the smooth lingering finish of cool climate grapes makes this wine a delight with poultry, venison and lean beef.
Pinot Noir is an elegant, silky and spicy red. Naturally translucent and somewhat pale, the grape is thin of skin and a somewhat more precarious proposition to cultivate, despite the powerful support the luxuriant pinot vine gives. But, the perfect bunch of Pinot Noir is a joy to behold, a portent of what it will become once the wine-maker’s artistry has had its way with them. The wine balances a delicate sweetness with an equally delicate acidity, a simplicity with a sensual complexity, and its subtlety with a lingering finish.
Andre Domine ranks Pinot Noir “among the greatest wines in the world”, highlighting their “finesse and the particular appeal of their bouquet which can include aromas ranging from raspberries, violets, wild cherries, plums, blackberries, and numerous spices, to smoke, soil, oak and liquorice”. It is a grape that complements perfectly lean meats, young spring vegetables, fresh herbs and the earthy smoky aromas of mushrooms. Pinot Noir is one of only a few red wines that “can complement Asian inspired cuisine….Pinot Noir and ginger, in particular, can make an amazingly harmonious combination.”
The grape achieves its best in long ripening cooler climates found in the Yarra Valley, the Mornington Peninsula and on Gippsland’s coastal plain. Fascinating wine-makers continue to achieve wider recognition and praise for the grape, their wineries and their region.
In South Gippsland, along the Great Southern Wine Trail, you will find the world renowned Bass Phillip winery and many new local wineries, among which the better known would be Lyrebird Hill Winery and Windy Ridge Winery. Basia Mille Vineyard and Olive Grove aims to become equally well known.
Jun 03, 2009
Hi Gina and Antonio,
We have just been looking at your webpage. You have captured Basia Mille
beautifully. A lot of information and great photos.
Hope we can make it on the 1st November
See you soon
Jo and Livio
Jul 25, 2009
A big thank you for a wonderful weekend at Basia Mille, an exceptional venue for an exceptional experience. We loved feeling as though we were in the heart of Tuscany without having to spend hours on a plane, and the cycling was far less hilly than Tuscany! Being able to use your bikes and having the Great Southern Rail Trail on the door step was just perfect for us. Many,many thanks, Ros Smith.
Nov 04, 2009
Dear Tony and Geraldine,
Jamie and I had such a decadent weekend at your wonderful escape from the world. We were so taken with the specatular views over to Wilsons Prom and the truly opulent villas. Every detail was catered for right down to hair straighteners in the bathroom! It was a great weekend filled with great food, sensational accommodation and beautiful company. You must be so proud of what you have achieved. We can’t thank you enough for what was a most memorable weekend away for us. We have been telling all our friends and family about it and will be sure to return in the future. Thanks so much for such wonderful hospitality and a very memorable weekend in our journey together. Love Donna and Jamie x
Feb 17, 2010
Walking through those homely antique french double doors we immediately felt the ethereal ambience of Basia Mille. Peaceful, beautiful, there certainly was no better feeling than retreating from a hard day of hiking at the Prom to the relaxing atmosphere at Basia Mille.
The entire experience we had at Basia was perfect, a renaissance for the soul, enriched with every colour of the Tuscan and Victorian palette. The carte blanche hospitality: from the amazing breakfasts to Tony opening up the wine cellar for wine tasting was just amazing. The setting was perfect. The architecture filled with appassionata: from the main house, the Oliv room we stayed in, the vineyard, the olive grove, the wine cellar, and the superabundance of spectacular views. Everything was weaved together like a beautifully composed romantic sonata. You have created a truly exquisite masterpiece that glows with the spirit of Tuscany!
Tony and Geraldine, there are experiences so special they are called magical. They are rare, but our experience at Basia Mille was magical in every sense. It was poetry. It was something we will always remember. It is an experience we will be coming back for again. Thank you so much for sharing your piece of Tuscan paradise with us!
Liwa and Alissa.
May 11, 2011
Tony and Geraldine,
Many thanks for such a magical stay over the Easter weekend. Your hospitality was very generous and warm. You have created a true Tuscan paradise, complete with beautiful wine, delicious food and stunning architecture. Our accommodation in the Luscious villa was just perfect, with views over looking the Prom. Tony, we will be returning for your morning coffees!
See you again,
Caroline and Lachie.
Oct 03, 2011
We returned home after a weekend at Basia Mille feeling like we had been to a very special place in time. This accommodation experience was truly unique and one worth sharing with the world. Geraldine and Tony’s welcome to their beautiful Tuscan villa was extrodinary! Breakfast and dinner was bellissimo! All the ingredients for first class luxury accommodation.
Geraldine’s cooking was superb and Tony’s hosting and conversation kept us entranced. Their stories about how they fulfilled their dream to create a special place such as Basia Mille, made our stay very inspiring. We certainly will be returning and sharing this wonderful experience with friends and family. Even Bo, their gorgeous pet dog, touched our hearts.
Congratulations Geraldine and Tony on fulfilling a magnificent journey which we are now part of! Grazie mille!