|
|
|
By the winner of the 2014 Jimmy Watson Trophy! During his time as chief red wine maker at Hardy's, Stephen Pannell became intmate with many of the greater Adelaide region's most splendid sites. A predominantly Syrah wine with a de rigueur inclusion of good Viognier, all picked off a superior low yielding Adelaide Hills vineyard. SC Pannell» |
|
The five most most exclusive parcels of old vine Shiraz, a secret component of the Barossa's most memorable vintages, hand picked off the De Fazio and Hillview vineyards at Belvidere and Moppa. Batches are crushed into traditional open top fermenters for a week of pumpovers, gently pressed into an extravagantly high proportion of new French oak hogsheads for two years maturation, followed by the final assemblage, unfiltered and unfined. Pirathon» |
|
Earnscleugh Valley was the site of a gold rush in the 1860s, the industrious miners dug a watercourse through the valley which today serves to nourish the world's southernmost appellation of Pinot Noir. The Last Chance is a small scenic terrace, planted to a special Burgundy clone of Pinot Noir which yields a magnificently structured, generously proportioned wine. Two Paddocks» |
|
Majella are one of the most highly awarded small wineries in Australia, the inaugural release of The Musician was met with unprecedented critical acclaim. In the tradition of the most salubrious Coonawarra vineyards, the Majella property was used extensively for grazing before being planted to vine. Majella» |
|
A single vineyard, strongly terroir wine by maestro Ken Helm AM, from fruit picked off neighbour Al Lustenberger's property, only released under the premium black label if it reaches the highest quality benchmarks. Since 2005 the collaboration of Lustenberger and Helm has claimed more than fourteen trophies. Helm» |
|
Villa Maria possess the magic touch with Pinot Gris, regularly clearing international wine events of prestigious trophies. Private Bin has been included in the Decanter Top 50 Best Under £10 and identified as a Decanter favourite. Villa Maria» |
|
The inaugural release of Hanging Rock Shiraz was vintage 1987 and what an event it was, immediately claiming gold and inspiring comparisons to Grange by the industry press. From from fruit grown to the estate Athols Paddock, a complex Heathcote style, more Syrah than Shiraz, boasting several trophies and over fifty gold to its distinguished history, big, powerful and rich, yet exhibiting an elegance and finesse that's rare in Australian wine. Hanging Rock» |
|
A mostly Cabernet wine with a tenth of Merlot, a jot of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, representing almost a third of Hollick's annual production. Previous vintages of Tannery Block have won numerous prestigious awards, including the pre-eminent Jimmy Watson, Robert Bryce and Arthur Kelman Trophies. Hollick» |
|
Richard Bailey planted one of the first Glenrowan vineyards in the 1860s. The Bailey estate survived the downturn of the Victorian gold rush, the ravages of phylloxera and excesses of the Kelly gang, it endures to this day, producing some of the nation's most intensely flavoured and historically significant wines. Baileys Glenrowan» |
|
The wines of Wignall were met with resounding success from the first release, inaugural vintages saw amazing results, attracting conspicuous gold medal and trophy victories. Fruit driven and voluptuous to drink, Wignall have refined the style of their Albany Pinot Noir to be bliss for the most discerning palates. Wignalls» |
|
Grove Estate became the go to vineyard for esteemed national brands on the hunt for stellar quality Hilltops Shiraz, some very choice parcels of Grove Estate found their way into the winner of the Finest Australian Shiraz Trophy. Immediately identified by early settlers who planted vineyards and made great wine, the Hilltops are renowned for a unique confluence of superior winegrowing aspects. Grove Estate» |
|
Mandoon are a Swan Valley operation of great provenance, their homestead vineyard being an ancient block established on the first rural grant in Western Australia, circa 1929 at a property named Sandalford. Always on the lookout for exceptional parcels of fruit, the highly decorated Mandoon team have focused on a northern block of Research Station Vineyard in Margaret River. Mandoon» |
|
Bress
About Bress - the Winery
Bress
The winemaking team at Bress subscribe to a number of fundamental philosophies that underpin what it is they do and how it is done
Firstly, to farm in a sustainable manner that is environmentally sound. At Bress this is achieved by using Biodynamic farming practices: Biodynamic farming was developed in the mid 1920s by Rudolph Steiner and advocates the non use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Rather than using these products, composting and mulching are used on the farm to build up soil organic matter, which improves soil moisture retention. Natural biodynamic preparations500 through to 508 are used to improve soil vitality and plant health.
Bress subscribe to the recognition that one grape growing region cannot be all things for the wine styles that are made. The belief is that certain grape growing regions are better suited to particular grape varieties than others. The French have understood this for several centuries and some Australian wine producers and growers are now embracing this. Bress produce wines from several regions throughout Victoria and from the Margaret River region in Western Australia.
To eat well, one must understand the passage of the seasons. Throughout the world, the four seasons have traditionally had a sizeable impact on how our food is grown and cultivated. However, with the advent of refrigeration, broad acre farming, the use of chemicals and growth hormones to promote crop size and ripening and international shipping, the reliance on seasonality is being eroded. Bress hold the belief that this modernization of food is not a healthy thing. Bress promote and embrace the consumption of products that are grown and harvested fresh according to seasonality.
Biodynamic practices are used around the winery. Grapes are picked according to the moon phase. Natural yeast is used to conduct all fermentations. To avoid the use of artificial yeast supplements, all fermentations are conducted with 100 percent juice solids. All wines are racked on the moon phase when the moon is in opposition. This greatly reduces reliance on filtration, so much so that Bress red wines are no longer filtered. Cooperage at Bress include Bousset for Semillon, Marsanny, Dargaud et Jaegle and Siruge to the Chardonnay, Francois Freres, Dargaud et Jaegle and Siruge for Pinot Noir, Nadalie and Francois Freres for the Shiraz. All wines are bottled at the winery using a portable bottling line.
Bress use the same biodynamic principles applied to viticulture in the growing and making of ciders. Bress ciders are made from a blend of cider apples, Perry pears, which are the pear equivalent of the cider apple and pink lady apples. After the apples and pears have been milled and basket pressed, they are fermented at low temperatures (12-16 degrees) for up to four weeks until they are dry. Post fermentation, the different varieties are appraised and blended. This blend is then tiraged. Tiraging is the addition of sugar and yeast to the base cider, which is then bottled. Second fermentation occurs in the bottle. It is this fermentation that gives the cider it fizz. After at least six months on lees the cider is then riddled using the traditional methode champenoise technique and then disgorged. Two ciders are produced, Crut which is a dry style and Bon Bon, which is a sweeter style.
Comestible are goodies produced at Bress which are not alcoholic. With the cider and winemaking season running between February and May, there is so much of the year left to busy with making other things to eat and drink. Annually, the winemakers put together a selection of Bress goodies that are all gift wrapped and boxed and can be sent throughout Australia.
The Bress winemaking team appreciate fun and try not to take themselves too seriously. A fundamental tenet at Bress! Whilst they like to think that they do things well and take pride in it, the Bress winemakers also try to not get too carried away with things. They are very open with the winery estate's visitors and are always happy to assist those who take an interest.
|
|