| |
 |
BODEGAS ALTANZA
Riojo Spain |
|
Winemaker: Oscar Martinez
www.bodegasaltanza.com |
Bodegas Altanza is a contemporary Spanish winery with a passion for Rioja’s native grape variety – Tempranillo. Located in Fuenmayor, in the heart of Rioja Alta, Bodegas Altanza controls over 120 hectares of gnarly, dry grown bush vines. Yields are low with these little gems producing an average of less than 1.5kg per vine, well below the
Appelation limit in Rioja.A state of the art winery completes the winemaking process. Lead by third generation Riojan winemaker Oscar Martinez, all Bodegas Altanza wines are made in a modern style: they are 100 per cent Tempranillo, fermented using natural yeasts and aged in entirely French oak.
|
 |
BONACCHI
Tuscany Italy |
|
Winemaker: Ivan Misuri
www.bonacchi.it |
Located in the Chianti heartland, Bonacchi have been growing, making and marketing quality Tuscan wines for three generations. Bonacchi uses estate-grown fruit from across the region: Montalbano; Castelnuovo Berardenga; Montalcino and Seggiano, and utilises their modern Montalbano winery and techniques to produce this premium range.
The Chianti 'Gentilesco' is the result of careful fruit selection, creating a young, fresh style. Yet it is the Chianti Riserva that Bonacchi pride themselves on, adhering to the DOCG ruling that a 'Riserva' must be aged for at least two years in barrel and at least three months in bottle prior to release.
|
|
CASTLE ROCK ESTATE
Great Southern Western Australia |
|
Winemaker: Robert Diletti
www.castlerockestate.com.au |
Named after a prominent nearby landmark, Castle Rock Estate is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Porongurup mountains. Angelo and Wendy Diletti first planted vineyards in 1983, releasing the first vintage riesling in 1986.
The vineyard is situated 40km north east of Albany and 30km south east of Mount Barker, on a cool and elevated northerly aspect. This results in well ripened cool climate varieties producing intensely flavoured wines. |
|
CAVE DE BEBLENHEIM
Alsace France |
|
Winemaker: Patrick Le Bastard
www.cave-beblenheim.com |
Situated within the 'heart' of Alsace in the charming village of Beblenheim, the co-operative of Cave de Beblenheim was established in 1952 by a group of local growers who shared a vision to produce wine more effectively by combining their viticultural and winemaking know-how.
Since their first gold medal in 1954, constant development over the past five decades has seen the Cave grow to become one of the top six producers in Alsace. Cave de Beblenheim now sources fruit from 250 hectares of vines over 5 communes, ensuring optimum varietal character and quality. |
|
CHATEAU TANUNDA
Barossa Valley South Australia |
|
Winemaker: Tim Smith
www.chateautanunda.com |
Purchased by the Geber family in 1998, Chateau Tanunda is fast reestablishing its position as a Barossa Valley icon. Careful restoration of the buildings, grounds and winery demonstrates the Geber family’s commitment to The Chateau and to the re-building of its premium winemaking reputation.
The Chateau owns 100ha of vineyards in the Barossa and Eden Valleys and is supported by a band of 30 loyal growers with blocks covering the panoply of Barossa sub- regions. It is this diversity of ‘terroirs’ which enables each wine in the Chateau Tanunda range to best exemplify the region and its strengths, whilst maintaining the Chateau's house style.
|
|
DELORAINE
Yarra Valley Victoria |
|
 |
A terrific sparkling wine to suit any occasion, with crisp grapefruit and Granny Smith apple flavours and acidity over a complex, yeast derived palate with nuances of brioche and sourdough.
Try it as an aperitif with hors d'oeuvres while wearing a little black number and ridiculously high heels; as an accompaniment to urging on your favourite colours in November; or at breakfast with fairy cakes and croissants. |
|
DEVIATION ROAD
Adelaide Hills South Australia |
|
Winemaker: Hamish & Kate Laurie
www.deviationroad.com |
Deviation Road was created in 2000 by Hamish and Kate Laurie brought together by a shared passion for cool climate viticulture and wines with finesse.
Deviation Road Wines sources 95% of its fruit from the family vineyard, located near Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills. The remaining fruit comes from other small local Adelaide Hills producers sharing the same commitment to quality. The Laurie vineyard was amongst the first planted in the Hills back in 1983. At an altitude of approximately 550m, (and on near-impossible slopes!), the varieties Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have produced consistently excellent wines. Shiraz grapes are sourced from warmer sites in the Adelaide Hills district. |
|
DOMAIN PAUL BLANCK
Alsace France |
|
Winemaker: Frederic Blanck
www.blanck.com |
The Blanck family has been established in Alsace since the late 16th century and in the wine business in Kientzheim since the early 19th century. Over the past two centuries, the region's wine activity has been through a number of changes, mainly political ones; the most significant occurring in 1975, with the creation of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation, in which the Blanck family played a significant role.
The family has built a modern wine company, remaining faithful to its identity, but open to innovations, such as environmentally-focused farming methods. Today, Frederic and Philippe Blanck work tirelessly improving and respecting their premium range of wines and their vineyards, which cover 36 hectares across five Grand Crus and four regionally recognised 'lieux-dits'.
|
|
GEOFF MERRILL
McLaren Vale South Australia |
|
Winemaker: Geoff Merrill
www.geoffmerrillwines.com |
Since establishing himself at Mt Hurtle winery in 1985 Geoff Merrill Australian Wine Companion 2010 has achieved significant success at home and internationally. His
elegant, subtle wines have culminated in major trophy wins including the coveted Jimmy Watson and The Wine Society Trophy.
|
|
GLENMORE
Margaret River Western Australia |
|
Winemaker: Ian Bell
www.glenmorewines.com.au |
Glenmore’s winemaker Ian Bell is the grandson of Amy Beers, whose family has owned the historic Glenmore cattle farm since 1895. Amy still lives on the property and proudly supports the Glenmore brand, believing that the vineyard will add to the prosperity of the property for generations to come.
Situated on a small parcel of the property, the first hectare of vines was planted in 1990, expanding with additional plantings in 1994 and 1999. The strength of the Glenmore wines lies in Ian’s 15 years of viticultural and winemaking experience with Moss Wood, where stringent pruning, foliage management and picking is all done by hand – methods which Ian adheres to at Glenmore.
|
|
HIGHFIELD
Marlborough New Zealand |
|
Winemaker: Alistair Soper
www.highfield.co.nz |
Established on Marlborough's Brookby Ridge in 1989, Highfield is a boutique winery specialising in ultra-premium, food friendly wines. Winemaker, Alistair Soper makes Highfield's classic Marlborough wines with consistency of style and a commitment to outstanding quality.
Highfield uses only free run juice for its wines; a very expensive and indulgent decision on the part of the owners, but one welcomed by the winemaking team. The wines are further distinguished by being aged on yeast lees to gain palate weight and texture, creating an enjoyable food friendly style.
'When you're drinking Highfield you're drinking the cream of the crop'
Bob Campwell MW
|
|
HINTON ESTATE
Central Otago New Zealand |
|
Winemaker: Howie Hinton
www.hinton.co.nz |
Hinton Estate was established by the family that has grown premium stonefuit in Central Otago for over 100 years. The first vines were planted in the late 1990’s and Howie Hinton, a fifth generation orchardist, is the viticulturist and winemaker. The vineyard was established on steep north facing slopes where the terrain is too tough for summer
fruit yet ideal for grapes, especially pinot noir and aromatic white varieties. The winemaking philosophy matches that of the family’s fruit operation, where only perfect fruit is accepted. The ethos is based on growing quality grapes and enhancing natural flavours through utilisation of simple, traditional winemaking techniques and the best
technical innovation.
|
|
JOSEPH MELLOT
Sancerre France |
|
Winemaker: Frederic Jacquet
www.josephmellot.com |
Founded in Sancerre almost five hundred years ago by Pierre-Etienne Mellot, the Mellot dynasty has continued over the centuries to be involved in winemaking. In 1984 Alexandre Mellot took over the estate from his father Joseph, with a vision to extend the vineyards, modernise the winery and develop export sales.
Today, Joseph Mellot is the only estate that owns over 85 hectares of vineyards extended across each of the Centre-Loire's six appellations: 30 hectares in Sancerre, 24 hectares in Pouilly-Fume, 14 hectares in Quincy, 11 hectares in Reuilly, 2 hectares in the Coteaux du Giennois and 4 hectares in Menetou-Salon.
|
|
KUKU
Marlborough New Zealand |
|
Winemaker: Brian Bicknell |
Kuku is a fresh, young, and exciting label from the Marlborough region. The wines are made to encapsulate the combination of classic varieties and the ways that they express themselves in this cool valley of ours.
The Sauvignon shows fresh fruit characters, more tropical and rich than grassy, the Chardonnay being savoury and complex, and the Gewurztraminer looking aromatic and mouth filling. The Pinot Noir is still to come, and rests in barrels at the moment.
Modern wines to suit the foods we eat and the way we live.
|
|
LAURENT PERRIER
Tours-sur-Marne France |
|
Winemaker: Michel Fauconnet
www.laurent-perrier.com |
Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier is recognised as one of the finest family owned Champagne Houses, renowned for its innovation and passion. The Nonancourt family's independent spirit is the driving force behind the 'New World style' of winemaking, creating a diverse, unique and highly sought-after range of Champagnes. Combined with a clear determination to observe established French traditions - respect for terroir, dedication to quality, strong and lasting relationships - such a vision will carry the success of this House into the future.
|
|
LILLIAN
Pemberton Western Australia |
|
Winemaker: John Brocksopp |
John Brocksopp started his career in 1967 with Seppelt's, and since then has been an advocate of marsanne, roussanne, viognier and mataro (mourvedre) as commercial varieties. Only on his 'retirement' from a long-serving viticultural career (most recently with Leeuwin Estate) has John been able to concentrate on further developing his passion with the southern French varietals planted on his 3 hectare property.
Named after John's great-aunt who first introduced him to drinking wine as a school boy, Lillian was established in 1993 as a vehicle for expanding John’s interest in marsanne and roussanne, and bringing his boutique quantities of highly regarded, European-styled wines to market.
|
|
MAHI
Marlborough New Zealand |
|
Winemaker: Brian Bicknell
www.mahiwine.co.nz |
This year Brian Bicknell celebrates the making of his twenty-third vintage, an achievement that has seen him accumulate experience in not only Marlborough, but also in Chile, France and Hungary.
Returning to Marlborough permanently in 1996, Brian identified that individual sites within the region produced markedly different characters. At a time when Marlborough was considered to be producing wines that hid the diversity of the region, Mahi was born. Brian's vision to showcase the differences and complexities that these terroirs offer, has been exceeded with every single vineyard release. With the purchase of a winery and another vineyard in 2006, a series of premium regional wines was created to complement the single vineyard range.
|
|
Mc IVOR ESTATE
Heathcote Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Various contract
www.mcivorestate.com.au |
The true story of the man McIvor remains a mystery. Surveyor? Bushie? Station Overseer? Local pioneer? Whatever the legend, his notoriety named a region, upon which McIvor Estate now thrives.
McIvor Estate’s Gary and Cynthia Harbor have been producing great vinous things since 1997. The estate is located in the coveted southern end of Heathcote, Victoria. The vines nestle in a north-south aspect in that sought-after granitic soil amongst dramatic scenery of large granite boulders, majestic rolling hills and imposing gullies, all framed
by the Great Dividing Range. It’s picture-perfect. The locale creates a longer ripening period, intensifying the elegant flavours in the wines, which develop well with some bottle age.
|
|
MEDHURST
Yarra Valley Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Matt Steel
www.medhurstwines.com.au |
Medhurst Wines is the realisation of the long held and shared vision of Ross and Robyn Wilson to own a property in the Yarra Valley and produce high quality wines. The vineyard site was chosen for its favourable micro-climate, north facing slopes, good drainage and magnificent aspect. With the sole objective of making the best wine possible, careful vineyard management ensures yields are low, averaging two tonnes per acre and providing intensely flavoured fruit.
|
|
MOLLY DOOKER
McClaren Vale SA |
|
Owners & Winemakers, Sarah & Sparky Marquis
www.mollydooker.com |
We make wines that make people go WOW through attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
The owners of Mollydooker Wines, Sarah & Sparky Marquis,are some of the most decorated winemakers in the world.
They have received five 99-point scores from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate; four of their wines have been chosen in the Wine Spectator’s ‘Top 100’ and their Carnival
of Love Shiraz has made the Wine Spectator ‘Top 10’ list two years in a row. Sarah and Sparky have been named ‘Australian Winemakers of the Year’, have been chosen by
Robert Parker among the ‘Top Wine Personalities in the World’, and have been crowned ‘McLaren Vale’s Bushing King and Queen’ a record three times.
Sarah and Sparky are two fun-loving mollydookers (Aussie for left hander) who are committed to making wines that make people go WOW. They are passionate about their
vineyards, their winemaking, and sharing with family and friends. During the three months before harvest you will find Sparky sitting under the gum trees with the viticulture
team, squashing the grapes and tasting the juices, to decide when the grapes should be picked. Sarah indulges her love for design with Mollydooker’s labels, ranging from the quirky Lefty and Party labels (featuring their kids Luke and Holly), to the romantic Carnival of Love and Enchanted Path, and the luxuriously elegant Velvet Glove.
The grapes come from the premier regions of McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Padthaway. Mollydooker’s winery and vineyards are located on the historic Seaview ridge which has produced some of McLaren Vale's most iconic wine. The winery and vineyards are set in a beautiful part of the world and Sarah and Sparky love to share.
Mollydooker conducts tours where you can see how the grapes are grown and the wines are made. Left and right-handers welcome! Sarah and Sparky have a warehouse in Napa, CA, so that their American friends can order Mollydookers online and have them shipped within the USA.
|
|
OCHOTA BARRELS
McLarenvale SA |
|
Winemaker: Taras Ochota
www.ochotabarrels.com |
The ochota barrels tale began on a surf trip, late 2000 along the Mexican west coast in a Volkswagen campervan. A final destination after traveling some of the world’s best wine and surf regions, Taras and Amber Ochota conceived the idea to make super premium wines back home in South Australia. The concept was to concentrate on the zenith variety of Mclaren Vale (Grenache) and the Barossa Valley (Shiraz), find an exceptional old vineyard site in each region and create plush, small batch, single vineyard wines.
As an Oenology graduate from Adelaide University, Taras developed his craft at wineries such as Two Hands and MSV in the Barossa Valley, renowned for world class Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Prior to this, Taras was at Nepenthe in the Adelaide Hills, who have achieved numerous accolades such as ‘Best Chardonnay in the World’ at the London International Wine Fair.
More recently he worked as the European Flying Winemaker, concentrating on the Italian regions, Puglia and Sicily, for the Swedish wine importing company, Oenoforos.
California has also been a regular vintage destination of his, making wines with producers such asKunin, Bonnacorsi, Arcadian, Schrader, Outpost and the famous Hitching Post’s label, Hartley-Ostini, from the movie ‘Sideways’.
Amber’s experience ranges from vintages in Italy, cellar door sales and vineyard development in the Adelaide Hills, and more recently, coordinating packaging and wine analysis for Nordic Sea Winery in southern Sweden.
|
|
MR MUNDY
Heathcote Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Various contract
www.mrmundy.com.au |
Not too far from Tooborac village (across the gully and beyond the ridge), a Mr Mundy had a plan: a quest for gold to feed his clan. But one fateful day there was a terrible brawl, that challenged the propriety of his sparkling haul. For Mr Mundy there was no doubt, that golden bounty was his to tout. So amongst the scuffle and vicious dissent, he unloaded a weapon that made clear his intent. He put it to use and maimed his foe, then plunged it in the cork of a delicious merlot. Vibrant fruit, chocolate, spice, and a wonderful hue, it enveloped his palate as he savoured his coup.
|
|
PARINGA ESTATE
Mornington Peninsula Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Lindsay McCall
www.paringaestate.com.au |
Lindsay McCall's winemaking legacy began in 1984 with the purchase of a 10 acre derelict orchard. Subsequently, access to a further 32 acres of vineyards has increased the estate's source of quality fruit. Having received numerous awards over the years, Lindsay's hard work culminated in 2007 with Paringa Estate being awarded James Halliday's 'Winery of the Year'.
|
|
PASSING CLOUDS
Bendigo Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Graeme Leith & Cameron Leith
www.passingclouds.com.au |
Established in 1974 by Graeme Leith and Sue Mackinnon, Passing Clouds has consistently produced wines of exemplarily quality and individuality, with the power to age gracefully.
The winery has recently been relocated to a location where the clouds do a little less passing - Daylesford; in the Macedon Ranges, where Graeme planted vines in 1998. They still produce their acclaimed Bendigo reds for which they have built a strong and loyal following over the years, but the range is now complemented by cool climate pinot noirs, chardonnay and a sparkling.
|
|
PAUL LOUIS
Loire Valley France |
|
www.cfgv.com |
The Loire Valley is the largest producer of French sparkling wine outside of Champagne. The style of sparkling from this area is known as cremant, the French term used for high quality, locally produced, dry sparkling wines.
Made using the champion of the Loire, chenin blanc, Paul Louis is produced using the 'methode traditionelle', meaning that it is fermented and aged in the bottle. A premium crémant - vibrant with zesty aromas, natural acidity and a dry crisp finish - Paul Louis is the perfect, affordable, French aperitif-style sparkling wine.
|
|
PIMPALA ROAD
(By Geoff Merrill)
South Australia |
|
Winemaker: Geoff Merrill www.geofmerrillwines.com |
A selection of uniquely South Australian wines taken from our vineyards in Coonawarra, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Waikerie the Pimpala Road Range provides bright, fresh, flavoursome wines from the master blender Geoff Merrill.
|
|
PIN PIN
Margaret River Western Australia |
|
Winemaker: Ian Bell
www.glenmorewines.com.au |
Hand plunged and only pressed when the fruit becomes obvious and the tannins have begun to soften, Pin Pin takes its name from an old French term for wine subjected to extended skin contact. The name is intended to help position the wine as approachable, contemporary and somewhat worldly.
Made using fruit selected from a north facing vineyard at Wilyabrup Estate, these wines have a fresh nose and rich primary fruit character with seamlessly integrated fine grain tannins. The Pin Pin style produces vibrant, generous wines whose fruit will continue with time, and will exhibit the depth and length displayed by older, high profile Wilyabrup cabernets, at a fraction of the price.
|
|
PIZZINI
King Valley Victoria |
|
Winemakers: Fred Pizzini & Joel Pizzini
www.pizzini.com.au |
Establishing Pizzini Wines in 1994, Fred and Katrina Pizzini have built the brand based on their passion for family and a strong commitment to their Italian heritage, hard work and determination. These same virtues run through the veins of their children who all work within the business.
The Pizzini family have a clear vision to become Australia's premium producer of fine Italian style wines. With 30 years of 'hands-on' viticultural experience, Fred supports his winemaker son Joel in producing layered and elegant wines rich with texture and flavour; bringing them ever closer to achieving their goal.
|
|
RED SHED (By Medhurst)
Yarra Valley Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Matt Steel
www.medhurstwines.com.au |
The Medhurst Red Shed range of wines is a fresh approach to cool climate winemaking – we pick the fruit when fresh and crunchy and adopt winemaking practices that ensures we capture the vitality of the grape. We bottle the wine when young to enjoy at its vibrant best. The Red Shed label is named after the boatshed on the Medhurst
property in the Yarra Valley.
|
|
ROUTE DU VAN
Multi Regional Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Tod Dexter (The Driver)
www.routeduvan.com |
In 1981 a couple of us met at Roseworthy Agricultural College , when we were studying winemaking and marketing. Ian had just returned from a five month road trip eating and drinking his way around France and Italy . In another part of the world Tod was heading back as well. He had driven his battered old Kombi across the USA and landed a job in a Napa Valley winery. This experience put him on the wine road.
Thirty years later, having become good friends, 'the boys' were back in France eating, drinking and visiting wineries. A plan was hatched to get on the road again and come up with our 'road trip' wines. They collected David, to help keep The Van on the road, and off they went.
And the result? ''We want our wines to be drinkable, balanced and complementary tofood. We never release any wine under the ROUTE du VAN label unless we haveenjoyed it with a good meal.”
|
|
SALLYS PADDOCK
Pyrenees Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Neill Robb
www.sallyspaddock.com.au |
Redbank Winery was established by Neill & Sally Robb in 1973. The Sally's Paddock is the jewel in the Redbank crown. Named after winemaker Neill Robb's wife, Sally's Paddock is a distinctive wine made from a single non-irrigated vineyard which grows modest crops of exceptional quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Sally's Paddock is proudly listed as 'Distinguished' on the Langton's Classification of Australian Wine. It's been listed in their catalogue since it's inception (now 20 years on). This places Sally's Paddock as one of the top 123 wines, and one of the top 15 Cabernet Blends in Australia.
|
|
SASHA (By Sally's Paddock)
Pyrenees Victoria |
|
Winemaker: Neill Robb |
Made in an easy to drink style, this non-vintage brut was named after the youngest member of the Robb winemaking family, Sasha.
A chardonnay/pinot style, Sasha is a fresh, elegant wine showing subtle flavours with a long, creamy finish. Additional complexity is gained through malolactic fermentation and lees contact.
Fabulous for functions and outdoor events, take Sasha to the Races.
|
|
TE KAIRANGA
Martinborough New Zealand |
|
Winemaker: Wendy Potts
www.tekairanga.co.nz |
Pronounced 'tee-kigh-rung-er', Te Kairanga is a Maori name meaning 'where the soil is rich and the food is plentiful'.
The thriving wine village of Martinborough was founded over 130 years ago by a hardy soul named John Martin. He established a 'run' of land on which Te Kairanga's home block now lies. Te Kairanga is one of Martinborough’s founding vineyards, established over 20 years ago. All six of the estate's vineyards are within the Martinborough
appellation, where the happy coincidence of geology and geography has created the perfect climate and terrain for pinot noir, chardonnay and other aromatics.
|
|
WEST CAPE HOWE
Great Southern Western Australia |
|
Winemakers: Gavin Berry & Dave Cleary
www.westcapehowewines.com.au |
'West Cape Howe' is named after the Great Southern region's iconic landmark, one of Australia’s most southerly geographic points. The brand has become an intrinsic component of the region, so much so, that their premium range is named after local rock climbing sites.
As wine is a direct reflection of the fruit quality used to produce it, the West Cape Howe team dedicate the months leading up to vintage visiting and monitoring their vineyards. This ensures that each of the vineyards that supply West Cape Howe from across Great Southern's five sub-regions, deliver only the best parcels of fruit.
|
|
