OUR WINES
Vintage Notes
FRENCH OAK BARRELS
We use 228L barrels from Tonnelerie Rousseau and 350L barrels from Tonnelleri billion.
TONNELERIE ROUSSEAU
Since its creation in 1954, the Rousseau cooperage has always based its strength on the same strong values: maintaining tradition, the love of a job well done, the constant pursuit for quality, which led, a to the ISO 22000 and PEFC accreditations. It is no coincidence that the cooperage trained 10 Best Craftsmen of France including Julien Rousseau, the founder, his son Jean-Marie and his grandson Jean-Christophe.
We use two types
PIANO
Double toasting method MLNo intended complex woodiness with this type of toasting
Accentuates fruitiness, style and soil
Underlines fruitiness, develops freshness
Dynamic end notes in the palate
ALLEGRO
Double toasting method M+
Developed empyreumatic aromas
(roasted coffee - toasted bread- mocha)
Oak extraction encouraging wood/wine exchanges of tannin and aromatic agents
A harmonious blended character, with slight toasted notes
Supple and full bodied tannins
Neutralises undesirable molecules
TONNELERIE BILLION
Billon barrels have received the CTB (Centre Technique du Bois) stamp of approval, which guarantees to wineries and consumers around the world that these barrels meet the highest standards of quality in the industry. Of the more than 40 cooperages in France, only 8 cooperages have been certified by CTB.
TEMPRANILLO
Black cherry spice and leather with an early minerality. Tempranillo which has for years been the backbone of the famous Spanish wine Rioja has emerged as a world player in its own right. Nelson mimics the Spanish and Portuguese climate and is producing a unique wine of its own.
Three hundred vines in five short rows planted November 2008.
2014
Bud burst 22 September 2012
Hand picked 24 March 2013
Availability SOLD OUT
2015
Bud burst 02 September 2014
Veraison underway and nets placed February 17 2014
Hand picked 28 March 2015
Entered Oak barrel May 2015 (Tammy Jane)
Availability SOLD OUT
2016
We were hoping for a special vintage here after one of the longest and hottest summers on record producing really high brix (sugar) levels. We changed the process this year moving the wine into oak barrels earlier than before allowing it to age naturally in the barrel for longer than the previous vintages.
Bud burst 02 September 2015
Veraison underway and nets placed February 19 2015
Hand picked 24 March 2016
Entered Oak barrels 22 May 2016 (Tammy Jane, Iris Lilian)
Availability SOLD OUT
2017
Any vineyard will remember 2017. We were fortunate that we were small enough to pick the one day it didn't rain. Many weren't so fortunate.
Bud burst 22 September 2016
Hand picked 01 April 2017
Entered Oak barrel 25 June (Kate)
Availability SOLD OUT
2018
Bud burst 29 September (wet winter)
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 24 April (Tammy)
Availability FOR SALE
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March (yes really same date)
Entered Oak barrel 23 April (Kate)
Availability 2021
GAMAY NOIR
You will recognise Gamay Noir as the grape of Beaujolais, a cheeky young wine fermented and consumed early. However, in the Southern Hemisphere it has responded to the respect it has been given by rewarding us with a delightful wine hinting of cranberries and wild berries enhanced by the finest French oak.
tempranillo gamay noir tempranillo gamay noir tempranillo gamay noir
Three hundred and fifty vines were planted in November 2009.
2015
Bud burst 02 September 2014
Veraison 19 February 2014
Hand picked 24 March 2015
Entered Oak barrel 23 May (Jaqueline Laura)
Availability SOLD OUT
2016
Bud burst 21 September 2015
Veraison 13 February 2016
Hand picked 27 March 2016
Entered Oak barrel (Jaqueline Laura, Ida May )
Availability SOLD OUT
2017
Any vineyard will remember 2017. We were fortunate that we were small enough to pick the one day it didn't rain. Many weren't so fortunate.
Bud burst 22 September 2016
Hand picked 01 April 2017
Entered Oak barrel 25 July (Jacky)
Availability SOLD OUT
2018
Bud burst 29 September (wet winter)
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 24 April
Availability FOR SALE
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March (yes really same date)
Entered Oak barrel 23 April
Availability FOR SALE
SEMILLON
Traditionally hiding behind the more famous white varieties Semillon is a another variety that has moved from France to establish its own name in the new world. Here its dry fruity flavours are winning followers all over. It was traditionally blended with Sauvignon Blanc and we discovered 20 rogue varieties of Sauvignon Blanc in among our Gamay Noir so we are producing God's own blend.
Three hundred and fifty vines were planted in November 2010. By accident the vineyard received fifty Sauvignon Blanc vines so these are fermented with the Semillon to create a more fascinating complex wine "Gods blend". These two grape varieties that together have been likened by wine critics to Lennon and McCartney. Sauvignon blanc supplies the high notes with its bright racy fruit and Semillon sings a more minor key infiltrating sauvignon's happy outgoing nature with a subtle, more sombre mood. Unlike the reds, the grapes are crushed and pressed within 24 hours and cold stabilised by spending the winter in vats outside.
2014
Bud burst 22 September 2013
Hand picked 04 April 2014
Bottled 21 September 2014
Availability SOLD OUT
Once again we knew we were experimenting with fruit from young vines but we induced a malolactic fermentation to the Semillon this year. After a winter outside for cold stabilisation the result is a softer wine with a darker colour reflecting the maturing vines. The acidity is on the high side which will allow it to cellar well. Australian experience with this grape has found that the wine has reached its full potential at about five years old.
2015
Bud burst 24 September 2014
Hand picked 28 March 2015
Availability FOR SALE
2016
Bud burst 22 September 2015
Hand picked 27 March 2016
Availability SOLD OUT
2017
Any vineyard will remember 2017. We were fortunate that we were small enough to pick the one day it didn't rain. Many weren't so fortunate.
Bud burst 22 September 2016
Hand picked 01 April 2017
In steel cold stabilising
Availability FOR SALE
2018
Bud burst 02 October 17 (wet winter)
Hand picked 17 March
Entered Oak barrel 24 April (Kate)
Availability FOR SALE
2019
Seriously hot dry summer. with no irrigation vines were unhappy and volumes were very low although intense concentrated flavours.
Bud burst 15 September
Hand picked 17 March (yes really same date)
Entered Oak barrel 23 April (Kate)
Availability 2021