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A vigorous diction of new world Chardonnay, framed within a tasteful veneer of judicious oak, crafted by an artisanal winery that's claimed best white and best red wine trophies, as judged amongst peers at the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association. Willow Creek offers a stylishly proportioned palate, finishing as crisp as the maritime winds which enthuse the Peninsula. Willow Creek» |
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Paringa Estate has established an unassailable repute over the last twenty years as one of the leading small winery vineyards in the country, named Australian Winery of the Year by James Halliday. Paringa Shiraz won a total of six trophies including Best of Show at the 2006 Royal Sydney, sweeping the field with five Gold Medals and five Trophies, including the prestigious Best of Show and Best Shiraz at the 2009 Royal Sydney, as well as Best Shiraz Trophy Royal Melbourne. Paringa Estate» |
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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» |
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Gold Medal Winner at the highly prestigious London International Wine Challenge! The taste is very sweet, smooth, pronounced and delicous, just like dried raisins or rich tawny grape juice. Serve at cool room temperature with fine desserts, pastries and cake, pour liberally over the best quality ice creams. Lustau» |
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David O'Leary really knows about things Cabernet Sauvignon, having claimed a Jimmy Watson Trophy and twice International Red Wine Maker of the Year. From low yielding vines up to fifty years of age, grown to superior sites within the Armagh Valley and Polish Hill River districts, the O'Leary Walker team create a powerful and complex, exquisitely perfumed and seamlessly layered Cabernet Sauvignon, framed by judicious oak and supported by graceful tannins, reflecting the idyllic growing climes of Valley Clare. OLeary Walker» |
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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 collation of superior vineyard parcels, crafted by a boutique estate which has been recognized as one of Australia's leading wineries. Clonakilla are dedicated to making distinctive, handcrafted wines, only ever released in limited quantities, anything by Clonakilla can be hard to find, but they are worth the search. Clonakilla» |
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An auspicious construct of Barossa Shiraz, which has claimed significant awards throughout its illustrious history, including gold at the prestigious London International. Peter Scholz is one of the Barossa's most capable and respected winemakers with a heritage that dates back to early settlement. Willows» |
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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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So popular are the wines of Pepperjack, that the label hosts its own society of dedicated enthusiasts. This devout cohort of zealots, converges at bespoke venues to discuss matters Pepperjack, they dine on prime beef and imbibe in their cherished libation. Pepperjack» |
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Yealands Seaview Vineyard is exposed to some of the toughest growing conditions in Marlborough, high sunshine and billowing winds wind, cool nights and low rainfalls for a smaller, thicker skinned Pinot Gris of exciting intensity. Fruit from the relatively flat, coastal L6M block, provides a pure mineral elegance to the structural backbone. Yealands Estate» |
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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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About Pikes - the Winery
Pikes
Englishman Henry Pike immigrated to South Australia in 1878 aboard the HMS Oakland
Henry Pike settled in the small town of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills and in 1886 established the family brewing business called H. Pike & Co. The name became well known throughout South Australia for its quality beer, soft drink and tonic ale, and the company used the English Pike fish on the label, which remains to this day - a symbol of Pikes' long heritage. The sale of H. Pike & Co. in 1972 did not end the family tradition. Henry Pike's great grandson Edgar was well established in the wine industry as a private vigneron and as a vineyard manager for a large proprietary wine company. His sons, Andrew and Neil, have both followed in their father's footsteps.
Since graduating from Roseworthy Agricultural College both have become proficient in their separate fields within the wine industry - Andrew in viticulture and management, and Neil in winemaking and marketing. Together they established Pikes in 1984 in the beautiful Clare Valley and have pride themselves on making premium table wines that reflect variety, vintage and regional characteristics.
The Pikes Winery and vineyards are situated in the historic and picturesque Polish Hill River sub region on the eastern side of the Clare Valley. The climate in this area is considerably cooler and the soils are also quite unique to the rest of the region. These attributes impart distinctive flavours and aromas to the wines from the Polish Hill River area. Varieties grown include Riesling - the flagship for which Pikes have become best known for. Others include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Merlot and Tempranillo. Approximately 35,000 cases are produced and exported to about twelve countries around the globe.
The Clare is generally regarded as one of the safest viticultural districts in Australia in respect to the risk of pest and disease of grapevines. The low rainfall and low humidity which typifies this region during the growing season is not conducive to a high risk of fungal disease. Most fruit is lightly crushed and destemmed prior to pressing or fermentation. Pure yeast cultures added for most delicate whites produced as well as most reds. Wild yeast ferments are encouraged for some Shiraz and Sangiovese batches. Some batches of Sangiovese, Grenache and Mourvedre may receive post ferment maceration for up to 3 weeks. 100% wild yeast fermentation in the Chardonnay and Viognier with solids. MLF happens naturally and is desirable in all reds.
All red wines matured in oak 12-18 months prior to bottling. Pikes use only high quality 228L and 225L French oak barrels. Barrels are topped up once a month during most of the year. Chardonnay and Viognier may have their lees stirred occasionally during maturation and then are racked only once (off lees) prior to bottling, while the reds may have up to three rackings.
All whites are cold and heat stabilised prior to bottling. If fining is required PVP is the preferred agent. Membrane filtration is carried out at the bottling stage. Reds are fined only if necessary and minimum filtration if required. Pikes aim to produce wines that reflect their variety, region and vintage conditions. The winemakers are quite happy to watch over the wines during their formative stage and intervene only when necessary. The mission is always to produce the best wines possible from the fruit the estate vineyards provide from each vintage.
The distinctive fish logo can be found on all of Pikes wines
The Winery and Cellar Door has been renovated from an old stone shearing shed and the new administration and function area is constructed out of local stone giving it a similar feel to the other buildings on the property.
"Up in the Clare Valley Neil Pike produces two Rieslings - Traditionale, a blend from various sub-regions of the Valley, and The Merle, sourced entirely from the Pike family's estate in the Clare's Polish Hill River sub region. Traditionale is the classic Clare blend with its lovely citrus-like varietal flavour, fine structure and refreshing acidity - a wine to enjoy as it evolves over the next five or six years. The Merle shows the steel of its origins with very pure and intense varietal character teasingly held in check by bracing, minerally acidity. A superb aperitif style in its youth, it should evolve well for a decade or more" -Canberra Times
"When we first tasted this wine we were left stunned, staring at each other in jaw-dropping silence. Wines like this are the reason we do what we do - finding world smashing wines at insane prices to rocket straight into your 'must drink' list. Pikes '06 is a ridiculously brilliant wine. Layers of fruit: rhubarb, lime, apples, pears - you name it. It's fleshy and tight, cascading over your palate like an ice cold mountain stream. Neil Pike is a trooper and his wine is amazing now, but it will age for years and will end up being one of the best investments in your taste buds you have ever made" -Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer - Taste Food & Wine
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