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Born at Guildford, very near the Houghton Swan Valley wineworks, Dr John Gladstones was an internationally acclaimed scientist who identified the Margaret River in 1965 as being world class for planting vines and growing grapes. Dr Gladstones also played a role in the development of the Frankland River region, Pemberton and Manjimup. Houghton» |
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The term Terra rossa means red earth, a rich, free draining soil that is considered by many as the viticultural equivalent of discovering gold. Beneath the strata of red earth at Wrattonbully sits a layer of ancient limestone, a winegrower's dream as it allows free drainage of water, yet ensures vine roots stay close to the surface, putting natural stress on the vine and limiting its vigor and yield. Smith Hooper» |
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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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Coriole is one of McLaren Vale's most eminent, artisanal estates. Consecutive vintages of Coriole Shiraz have claimed a remarkable back to back San Francisco Double Gold. Coriole» |
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Pinot Meunier like no other, certainly the most distinguished bottling of its kind anywhere in the new world. Mostly old vine Concongella Pinot Meuniere, from grapes picked off parcels established 1970, with the inclusion of a priceless component of ancient vines 1868 Pinot Noir. Bests» |
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There are two superb high altitude sites in Carey Gully and Piccadilly Valley, which yield an extraordinary quality of Sauvignon Blanc. Knappstein take the top cut of each harvest, crushing the fruit for a long cool vinification, treating a batch to the added richness of oak barrel ferments for texture, complexity and weight. Riposte» |
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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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Twice Gold Medal Challenge International du Vin! Moscatel and Gewürtztraminer grapes, grown to estate vineyards on the mountains of the Upper Penedes, form the backbone of fruit for Viña Esmeralda, a delicate but strunningly fragrant wine. The dry fig and raisin characters of Moscatel de AlejandrÃÂa give Esmerelda it's luscious and flavourful palate, fleshed out by the orange of Frontignac or Moscatel de Grano Menudo as the Spanish say, further enhanced by the complex aromaticness and spice of the vivacious Traminer.. Torres» |
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The Lovedale district of Hunter Valley is synonymous with world class Semillon. Resolved to make a transition from mining to wining, the De Iuliis family acquired a grazing property along Lovedale Road and established vines in the early 1990s. De Iuliis» |
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Glenrowan is a place of great natural endowments, it grows the finest fruit and hosted a famous gold rush. Glenrowan has remained quarantined from any exchange of viticulture since the 1890s, a felicitious quirk of history which has preserved the provenance of some great old vineyards. Baileys Glenrowan» |
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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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The historic goldfields at Beechworth are now delivering a different type of gold, in the form of suave white wines with panache and style. Pinot Gris has taken well to the cooler climes and mineral rich soils atop the steeply sloped aspects. Brokenwood» |
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About Piano Piano - the Winery
Piano Piano
Traditional vignerons, Marc Scalzo and Lisa Hernan established a homestead vineyard by planting their own Chardonnay and Shiraz vines on a picturesque site in Beechworth
Piano Piano vineyards are located on a highly sought after golden mile amongst some of Beechworth’s most notable wine producers. They focus on making premium, estate grown single vineyard wines, vintages with a strong sense of place. Rather than impose his own personality on the wines, Marc has always strived to let the vineyard tell its own story. Marc started his wine education around the kitchen table at home. His father Mario introduced him to a wide selection of local and Italian wines. After graduating with a Science degree from Monash University and working for IBM for five years, the lure of wine was strong. Marc then studied Wine Science at Charles Sturt University and has many years of practical experience, including seven years as a winemaker at Brown Brothers and vintages at Giaconda, Seresin Estate (NZ), Delegat’s (NZ) and John Gehrig Wines. Marc is also Chief Winemaker at Rutherglen Estates.
In 1997 Marc planted his first vines with Geoff Simpson at Brangie vineyard in King Valley. Oliver’s Blend, named after their eldest son and Mario’s Blend, named after Marc’s father are from the Brangie Vineyard. After searching for seven years Marc and his wife Lisa purchased their property at Beechworth in 2003. The Beechworth hills are famous for granitic soils and fine cool climate wines. They have since planted Chardonnay in 2006 and Shiraz in 2008. Sophie’s Block Chardonnay was named after their daughter Sophie who was born the year the Chardonnay was planted and similarly Henry’s Block Shiraz was planted, the year their youngest son Henry was born.
The famous Beechworth region is known for its iconic wines. Much of this can be attributed to the altitude, granitic soil and climate. Piano Piano vineyard is located on Beechworth-Wangaratta Road, at an altitude of 400m. The Chardonnay is planted on the southeast facing slope, in deep decomposed granitic top soil over rich clay. Sophie’s Block is situated on the coolest part of the site.
This cooler mesoclimate enhances the delicate but powerful flavours in the grapes. Given its proximity to some of Beechworth’s finest vineyards, the Chardonnay is already showing the exciting potential of this site. Five different clones, including the Bernard clones have been close planted at 1.2m x 2.4m rows to maximise intensity and complexity.
Piano Piano Shiraz was planted on the northeast facing slope in decomposed granite soils, characterised by white granitic pebbles on the surface of a decomposed granite loam mix. At a depth of one meter the underlying clay is critical to the water holding capacity of the block whilst the granitic soils supply that rare, ethereal quality that makes Henry’s Block Shiraz so special. To enhance the cool climate quality of the fruit, vine rows have been planted in an east west orientation. Four Shiraz clones were selected to add complexity and spice and the vines were also planted at 1.2m x 2.4m. Piano Pianos Beechworth vines complement the King Valley plantings, established in partnership with Geoff Simpson, in the late 1990s.
This property is situated on the banks of the Hurdle Creek in the lower King valley, on a site perfectly situated for growing red wine grapes. The soil profile of sandy loam sitting on a clay base is ideal for controlling vigor. This ensures the grapes are grown under slight stress, thereby decreasing yields and maximising flavour and colour intensity.
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