What are wineries are currently up to ...

Published: 26/02/2010

Well it is fast approaching vintage time so it's going to be all hands on deck with our wineries. In fact some have already started vintage due to the climatic conditions over the past 8 weeks or so.

Below is a little snippet from each winery to bring you up to date.

Amietta Vineyard (Moorabool Valley, VIC)

  • New vintage releases including their chardonnay 2009, Angels’ Share Cabernet Carmenere 2007, Shiraz Lagrein 2007 & Shiraz 2007.
  • Great result from Halliday last year including 95/100 for their Riesling 2008.
  • Vintage about to begin!

Georges Michel Wine Estate – formerly ‘Domaine Georges Michel’ (Marlborough, NZ)

  • Will be known as Georges Michel Wine Estate going forward due to international legislation on the use of ‘Domaine’.
  • Re-opened ‘La Verandah’ restaurant which provides French cuisine in a lovely setting on the winery.
  • Cellar door has been very busy over summer – definitely worth a visit!
  • Released the Legend Pinot Noir 2007, which was awarded Best in Class (Silver) at the 2009 International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009.
  • About to release a Method Traditionelle NV (March 2010) which will be a great compliment to their range.

Hastwell & Lightfoot (McLaren Vale, SA)

  • Hot off the press - picking of the Chardonnay and Viognier has already been done, Shiraz has started too. Things looking good so far especially compared to vintage 2009.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 awarded Blue Gold at Sydney International Wine Competition, 2009
  • Shiraz 2007 (silver) & Chardonnay 2008 (bronze) at the Small Winemakers Show, 2009
  • Viognier 2008 selling through well and a great alternative to the standard varietals!

Knots Wines & Bridge Vineyard (Bendigo & Heathcote, VIC)

  • Vintage looking good – vines netted in Bendigo which is one up on last year when all the fruit was lost at the ‘Byronsvale Vineyard’ due to heat stress.
  • A flash new Kangaroo fence has been erected around the 8 acres at Byronsvale to further protect the vines.
  • Picking will commence at the end of this month – early but a better result than last year!
  • Winery facilities erected at the Bridge Vineyard, Heathcote – under the watchful eye and sole labour contribution of winemaker, Lindsay Ross.
  • Pending release of the first ever Port (vintage 2008) under the ‘Knots’ label.

Lamont Wines (Central Otago)

  • A new brand in Australia, this winery has hit the ground running with all three of their wines. The accolades speak for themselves and the restaurant listings in a short period of time are worth noting.
  • PINOT GRIS: Gold and Trophy for top Pinot Gris at the Liquorland 100 Awards in New Zealand. This great result comes after a string of accolades in the past ten months for this wine including: No. 1 Pinot Gris in New Zealand Cuisine Magazine 2009; Champion Pinot Gris Trophy International Aromatic Wine Show 2008; Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards
  • RIESLING: Gold Medal Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2007; Silver Medal International Wines & Spirit Competition; Bronze Medal - Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition; Bronze Medal NZ Royal Easter Wine Show; Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards
  • PINOT NOIR: Blue-Gold / Top 100 @ Sydney International Wine Competition 2009; Silver Medal Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition; Silver Medal NZ Royal Easter Wine Show; Silver Medal - International Wines & Spirit Competition; Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards

Patrick T Wines (Coonawarra & Wrattonbully, SA)

  • Launch of the ‘Patrick of Coonawarra’ label for their 2002 Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon with accolades of 96/100 in latest edition of James Halliday Wine Companion book & Blue-Gold in the Sydney International Wine Show, 2009.
  • Successful release of the 2006 Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Current vintage has evolved slowly and is looking to be an excellent 2010!

Thomas Vineyard Estate (McLaren Vale)

  • Vintage has begun with the Verdelho being picked a few weeks ago and the Shiraz has all been picked too. All eyes are on this wine as it sold out in record time for a new release in late 2009!
  • Awards keep flowing including the following for the 2005 Shiraz: Gold Medal Boutique Wine Awards 2009; Silver Medal - Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2009, Bronze Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show; Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2009
  • The same goes for their 2005 Reserve Shiraz with the following awards: Silver medal Great Australian Shiraz Challenge2009; Gold / Trophy Top Shiraz Boutique Wines Awards 2008.
  • Vines looking really good compared to this time last year when Dawne & Merv realised they had lost the lot due to heat stress. .

The team at Selador Wines would like to wish all our wineries the best for this current vintage. We are well aware of the pressures in the industry at present and hope each winery has a successful vintage with some fun along the way.

What this space for vintage reports that will follow in the next few months from the wineries direct!