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| Shadowfax has progressed from strength to strength in a very short space of time, due in no small part to the high quality of fruit. A prolific trophy and gold winner, Shadowfax have achieved the new wave of Chardonnay, refreshingly fruit driven, livelier than it's stylistic prescursors, characterised by slatey, flavoursome acidity, a touch of leesy complexity and a pleasing dryness. Shadowfax» |
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| Gossips captures the spirit of the contemporary Australian lifestyle, delivering east to appreciate, relaxing wines that are just right for everyday enjoyment. The entire range of Gossips has also been attracting attention on the international circuit after claiming Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.. Warburn Estate» |
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| Tyrrell made a major contribution to the development of Heathcote as a world class winegrowing region. As an early pioneer, they sowed the seeds and established the vines which launched the gold rush into Heathcote Shiraz. Tyrrells» |
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| Mighty Wolf Blass command some of the most superlative vineyards, specialized for the growing of grapes destined exclusively for sparkling wines. Gold Label is an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from premium vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, Langhorne Creek and the Eden Valley, crafted in real Methode traditionelle. Wolf Blass» |
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| Since 1973, Wolf Blass have amassed many thousands of medals and trophies at wine competitions in Australia and around the world. Harvests of Cabernet and Shiraz are sourced from good vineyards, managed by the best growers in South Australia. Wolf Blass» |
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| After many years of dedication to formulating superb Eden Valley Riesling, Elderton have again achieved an excellent expression of the genre, paradoxically the most underrated style of wine in Australia. Small harvests of fruit which show wonderful primary, zesty characters and delicate acid structures are the foundation. Elderton» |
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| A staple on fine wine lists everywhere, one of Marlborough's most palatable exponents, having claimed top gold at the Washington International Wines for Oysters Competition. The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly New Zealand wines, elegant and assertive, laden with glorious fruit flavours. Oyster Bay» |
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| A passionate family owned and operated winery who've been rewarded with highly coveted Gold at the Royal Melbourne for their impressive Langhorne Creek reds. Temple Bruer have been waving the magic wand with their brilliant efforts at Merlot, scoring further medals at the Australian Small Winemakers and Rutherglen Wine Shows. Temple Bruer» |
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| Sourced from Neil Steven's Glenoak property at Pokolbin, regarded as one of the finest white wine vineyards anywhere in Hunter Valley. The oldest block was planted in 1911 ranging through to the youngest vines which date back to 1965. Tyrrells» |
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| Warburn Estate has produced lavish Trophy winning Merlots throughout it's entire range, and has applied it's hard won winemaking accumen to the Gossips non-vintage Merlot. A multi regional blend that's been blended to near perfection and offers oodles of Merlot characteristicness. Warburn Estate» |
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| An outstanding single vineyard Shiraz wine from a boutique estate which has been recognized as one of Australia's leading small wineries and most important small sites. Clonakilla is dedicated to making distinctive, handcrafted wines, only ever released in limited quantities, Clonakilla can be hard to find, but they are worth the search. Clonakilla» |
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| Jimmy Watson Finalist 2006, Gold Medals Sydney International + Royal Melbourne, Silver National Wine Show. Shiraz for this wine came from superior Blocks 6 and 7, positioned to a north south aspect. Plunkett Fowles» |
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Wirra Wirra
About Wirra Wirra - the Winery
Wirra Wirra
The Wirra Wirra Cellars were built by Robert Strangways Wigley, one of the McLaren Vale's all time characters
Wigley began building at the turn of the century using Dr. A.C. Kelly's plans of a split-level design that his friend Alec Johnston had used to build the Pirramimma winery. Wirra Wirra is an aboriginal name meaning amongst the gums. Born in 1864, Bob Wigley studied Law and Architecture and managed to play cricket for South Australia. His wild pranks as a young man had already made him somewhat of an embarrassment to his family. In 1893 he was prudently sent to rusticate in McLaren Vale. He planted the vineyard in 1894 and made his first wine with Alec Johnston in 1897. By 1901 he was the owner of one of the best wineries and vineyards in the district with 100 acres under vines and 15 acres under currants.
Stylistically, Wirra Wirra established a long and distinguished history for itself of producing wines with great elegance, balance and complexity. "Mr. Thomas Hardy says of all those he ever had under him, no town man worked harder than Mr. Bob Wigley who was at Bankside for 18 months learning winemaking. At the end of this time he took up 240 acres of land at McLaren Vale, and has succeeded in producing wonderfully fine full-bodied Burgundy, especially suited for the export trade." - The Register Adelaide Australia 1903
Bob Wigley died in 1924 having contributed much to the life of the district and having made many fine wines which in the main found their way to England, having been shipped by Burgoynes of London. After 1936 the original 240 acres were sold by his family and eventually the cellars with only 7 acres left fell into disuse. It was not until late 1969 that the winery, by then virtually a derelict building, and the surrounding 7 acres of land was re-established.
Cousins Greg and Roger Trott purchased the holding from Vern Sparrow, son of Wigley's foreman Jack Sparrow. Roger Trott, an accountant, has a property at McLaren Flat, Moray Park, and Greg's vineyard. Bethany, is just across the road from Wirra Wirra, while Scrubby Rise, part of the original Wirra Wirra, is immediately in front of the cellars. Before they bought the old, ruined winery, Greg spent five years with Southern Vales Co-operative looking after growers interests and in his own words, had become familiar with the rudiments of winemaking.
Like many of the McLaren Vale winemakers, these men were helped by their friendly rivals, a feature of the district. Good use was made of Oenological Services of McLaren Vale, a winemaking advisory and laboratory service led by Peter Klose and started by David Hardy, Alex Johnston and Colin Kay. In a gesture worthy of the wonderful Wigley, the two cousins Trott spent a frantic five weeks gathering equipment from all over the state. Then, armed with an ancient wooden Bagshaw crusher, a pump and an old French press, they made their first wine in the open air amidst the ruins.
In a gesture worthy of the wonderful Wigley, the two cousins Trott spent a frantic five weeks gathering equipment from all over the state. Then, armed with an ancient wooden Bagshaw crusher, a pump and an old French press, they made their first wine in the open air amidst the ruins. In its modern day, Wirra Wirra has hosted a vast and eclectic array of winemakers, cellar hands, drifters and vagrants each vintage. One of the most interesting things about February, is the influx of a range of recalcitrants from all over the world. Yanks, Poms, Krauts, Frogs, Kiwis, Queenslanders, the occasional Aussie and more, all converge on the cellars to pick, pump, drain, crush, press, and massage the fruit that comes in from the vineyards. There is now nothing quirky about the design of the winery, which is in its third stage of development. Although functional and technologically advanced, the cellars retain a soul. This is largely due to the spirit of the tribe that work there.
Although McLaren Vale is at the heart of everything Wirra Wirra, diversity in fruit styles also plays a part in viticultural & winemaking philosophy. Other regions act as a source of fruit, with the Clare Valley contributing to Hand Picked Riesling. Coonawarra fruit is a major component of The Angelus, whilst Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are based purely on Adelaide Hills grapes. Petrucci's, Paxton, Parkinson, Trott, Gower et al make up a stable of carefully selected growers who are inevitably part of the Wirra Wirra tribe. Scrubby Rise (which is flat and bereft of Scrub), Nocowie (named by Trott's father who disliked cows), Chook Block (next to Greg's old Chicken Sheds), 73 Block (one guess only), Finniss River & House Block contribute the majority of the best fruit year after year.
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