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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» |
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Named for the Chapel district of Lenton in Nottingham, Brae is Scottish for a small hill, which is what the Lenton Brae vineyard is situated on. Fortuitously placed within the very epicenter for superior Margaret River Cabernet, the site was planted after advisement from the proprietors of nearby Moss Wood, with which it shares a similar terroir and microclime. Lenton Brae» |
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Since inaugural release, Howard Park Chardonnay has wowed wine judges and reviewers internationally. It was awarded Best White Trophy at the Tri-National Wine Challenge, Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Blue Gold at the Sydney International, two years in a row. Howard Park» |
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Galli Estate produce a variety of quality wines from fruit grown on their vineyards at Sunbury and Heathcote. Galli Estate have been very well received by reviewers, and have been recognised for quality at competitions, already receiving Gold for their Pinot Grigio, a varietal that the winemaking team find very exciting. Galli Estate» |
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The uncompromising pursuit of excellence brings the Yealands team to the extreme viticultural climes of Gibbston Valley in Central Otago. It is here under the frigid cloudless night skies that Pinot Noir vines, planted to undulating granite schist soils, struggle to yield harvests of parched grapes, redolent with cherry berry perfumes, bursting with an intensity of flavour and wrapped in a muslin of seamless, velvet tannins. Yealands Estate» |
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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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A solid Cabernet Sauvignon with profound structure and vigorous fruit, the essential Coonawarra style, exuding rich bramble, berries and cassis aromas characters over soft, elegant tannins. Extended maturation in the finest French oak contributes to the wine's overall balance and drinkability. Hollick» |
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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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From parcels of Pinot Noir, planted to the foot of tailings, left behind by waves of prospectors who pursued their fortune amongst the open pits and mines on Adelaide Hills during the gold rush of the 1850s. Crushed and destemmed straight into the press with minimal time on skins to extract the perfect pink, its blushing lipstick hues presage a cornucopia of lifted strawberry and cherry blossom characters, ruby grapefruit and luscious jube over a length of tasty, toothsome tannins, the perfect Rosé for lazy afternoons or late night soirées. Bird In Hand» |
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Blackjack has claimed the eminent M.Chapoutier Trophy for Best Shiraz at the prestigious Le Concours des Vinson on no fewer than three occasions. Block 6 is a superior parcel of distinguished vines, renowned within the Bendigo district for producing a very high quality, intensely fruit driven Shiraz. Blackjack» |
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De Bortoli hold an extensive collection of barrel aged wines. Stocks of fortified and botrytised Semillon are drawn on from time to time to assemble into a wickedly decadent wine of rare opulence. De Bortoli» |
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Zilzie know from good Shiraz, they have grown the finest fruit for decades and now retain access to the most splendid vineyards. The quality of their winemaking has claimed thirty trophies since they embarked on their own label. Zilzie» |
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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.
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