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| Lenton Brae can justifiably claim to be one of Margaret River's leading proponents of the ebullient fusion between Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, having claimed multi trophies and gold medals for the style at regional, state and national competitions. The site was chosen after a chance conversation with the owner of Moss Wood who mentioned that the soils were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the eminent vineyard nearby. Lenton Brae» |
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| Originally planted during early settlement, the sandy loam soils of Haan Vineyard yield an outstanding quality of Shiraz. Fortuitously positioned along the hallowed mile of Siegersdorf Road, mid way between the ancient winegrowing hamlets of Angaston and Tanunda, the heirloom parcels once known as Hanenhof, have claimed significant trophies at the prestigious London International. Haan» |
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| Pietro D’orsa found work in Australia as a winegrower circa 1868, quenching the thirst of miners during the Victorian gold rush. Several generations later, Pietro's progeny returned to viticulture. Sanguine» |
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| Bloodstone was originally intended for the UK Oddbins retail chain. It turned into a runaway success and went on to claim a litany of international accolades, 5 Cuisine Magazine Stars & Best Buy, as well as Gold & Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco International. Gemtree» |
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| There's a single block of Montepulciano along Bird In Hand Road at Woodside in the northern Adelaide Hills, a warmer site with rocky, well drained soils, perfectly suited for Italians. The seaside influence of Gulf of St. Bird In Hand» |
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| Characterized by its controlled power, elegance and finesse, a very special Pyrenees wine which redefines the great Cabernet virtues of stature, structure and length. The inaugural release claimed Gold and Best Wine ahead of two timeless Bordeaux icons, Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Cos d'Estournel. Taltarni» |
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| Enthused by a consuming desire to make great wine, Andrew Nugent honed his craft as viticulturalist and winemaker amongst the vines of McLaren Vale before returning to the Adelaide Hills, where he established his very own wineworks at Woodside. Hand crafted from fruit grown to mineral rich soils above the historic Bird in Hand gold mine, a pure Pinot Noir with superb effervescence, dominated by red berry characters, adorned by a lift of stonefruits and floral.. Bird In Hand» |
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| Bedecked with gold medals, significant trophies and countless five star commendations. Clonakilla is a wine that's ultimately determined in the vineyard, where hard work is required to open up the vine leaf canopies, limiting yields and encouraging vines to make grapes with riper flavour profiles. Clonakilla» |
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| The marvelous S1 block is a sheltered, relatively warm site within the splendid vistas of Seaview Vineyard, on a north facing plateau at 160m above sea level, refreshed by maritime winds that blow in from the Cludy Bay coast. Fruit is crushed and destemmed, chilled and gently pressed, the clearest juices are racked off for a long, cool ferment to capture the full opulence of S1 vineyard grapes on the vine. Yealands Estate» |
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| 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» |
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| Of particular importance to Shadowfax are the very close relationships with a select group of growers who provide harvests of the most intensely flavoured fruit. A prolific trophy winner, Shadowfax are a refreshing new wave, vigorously fruit driven, livelier than her Victorian siblings, characterised by slatey, flavoursome acidity, a touch of lees complexity and judicious dryness. Shadowfax» |
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| Charles Cimicky was inspired by his father to take over the reins at the family estate, that's when the good wines started turning into awesome wines. Today, Cimicky is one of the most meticulous winemakers in South Australia. Charles Cimicky» |
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Wignalls
About Wignalls - the Winery
Wignalls
Wignalls wines is a traditional winery established in 1982 after intensive investigations into local terroirs by founder Dr Bill Wignall
Results showed Albany’s growing conditions in spring and summer were virtually identical to the Burgundy region of France. It was therefore decided to experiment with Burgundian varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Growing grapevines was a completely new experience for the family, as well as for the Albany sub wine growing region. The Wignalls judgement proved correct, and results were not long in coming. With the planting of the first ten acres in 1982, Wignalls King River Vineyard was up and away as a prestigious Australian small label.
First vintages saw amazing results with Gold Medals and Trophies for both varieties. 1985 created a lot of excitement – the Pinot Noir won a major Gold Medal, and subsequently the 1985 Chardonnay won Australia’s richest wine prize for Western Australia’s Best Table Wine - an all expenses paid trip to France’s famous wine regions! Subsequently over fifty Gold and Trophies have been received by this boutique winery to date, both domestically and Internationally.
Wignalls believe that localised conditions or terroir is the main reason for the numerous successes. Perfect attention to detail, with a sophisticated trellis system to maximise sunlight access and air circulation, greatly assist with vineyard growing practices. Pruning (June to July) and picking (March to April) is by hand, thus the wine is as natural and clean as is possible. Wignalls have had a strict policy of not spraying pesticides since 1988 and work on a permaculture system, the vineyard works with mother nature and not against her.
In 1997 the Wignall family decided to erect a modern winery on the vineyard to maximise the benefits of the superior grapes they were growing each and every year. The move proved to be a wise one, crystallizing the returns for this family operated boutique winery. Robert and Claire Wignall took up the sucession of Wignalls stewardship over parents Dr Bill and Pat Wignall. A new era in winemaking heralded a major upgrade of the Wignalls label, and the opportunity to introduce some exciting new releases.
Wignalls has branched out with popular styles, an Unwooded Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot to suit everyday tastes, contemporarily styled wines to compliment the range of super premiums. Development of the Albany vineyard has proceeded steadily with approximately 35,000 vines or 22 hectares in loving care. Whilst seeking to accomodate modern tastes, the estate will only ever produce straight varietal wines, as it has no intention of ever making a classic white or red blend.
Wignalls have won more gold and trophies than there is room to mention. In 1990 the estate Pinot Noir claimed Chairman’s Award for Western Australia’s Best Individual Wine Sheraton, Perth WA Wine Awards, and SGIO’s Travel Award (North America) for Western Australia’s Best Table Wine, and again in 1991. In 1992 the Chardonnay claimed Champion Dry White Table Wine Australian Small Winemakers Show. Wignalls 1993 Pinot Noir came into folk lore as the wine that won Gold in every show shown around Australia except Perth. In 1994 Wignalls was awarded Trophy at the Perth Sheraton Wine Awards by Len Evans. In 1998 the Chardonnay was awarded Highest Gold Medal (in the world) and Best Australian White Wine at the Japan International Wine Challenge.
The annual Vintage Blues Music Festival is nine hours of non-stop high quality music on two stages at Wignalls Winery, a wine/food festival that promotes a safe sheltered environment for enjoying a diversified style of music. The event now attracts capacity crowds of approximately 4000, so popular that eastern states visitors are regular attendees. "A noted producer of Pinot Noir which extended the map for the variety in Australia, since 2004 a welcome return to top form. The Pinots have tremendous style and flair, the white wines are elegant, and show the cool climate to good advantage!" -James Halliday
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