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It was the great Cabernet wines of Bordeaux which inspired Bill Taylor to diversify from imports and retail into the highly fraught pursuit of grape growing. An ardent enthusiast of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Taylor had a keen enough palate and nose to determine that the most auspicious lands for Cabernet Sauvignon were amongst the idyllic rolling pastorals of Valley Clare. Taylors» |
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The first and final word in world class Barossa Cabernet, aged in a luxurious selection of completely new French oak hogsheads. The Ashmead block is so low yielding that it was almost gutted and re established to more productive plantings. Elderton» |
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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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A Coonawarra Shiraz of elegance and finesse, Penley's vintages are regularly awarded with prestigious international trophies and accolades, outclassing some of the nation's icon wines. A splendid effort exhibiting generous varietal fruit and spiced pepper, perfumes of good French oak and plenty of flavour. Penley Estate» |
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Stephen Pannell is one of Australia's most decorated winemakers, Jimmy Watson and twice Max Schubert Trophy winner, London International Winemaker of Year and Chairman National Wine Show. He found time in between tours of duty at Wirra Wirra, Tintara and BRL Hardy, to do vintage in Burgundy, at the illustrious Mouton Rothschild and amongst the grand old vines of Barolo. SC Pannell» |
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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» |
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The Moppa district was a flourishing settlement of pioneering farmers and gold miners. When the Kalleske vineyard was established in 1853, there were few schools in the region, so local parents established the Moppa Public School to provide their children with a formal education. Kalleske» |
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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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Adam Jackson bought the first blocks of land at the heart of Marlborough and took up farming in 1855. His wife planted a gumtree along Jacksons Road, it remains a regional icon and can be seen on the Jackson estate label. Jackson Estate» |
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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» |
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This enduring flagship wine can boast twenty trophys and over seventy gold medals throughout its illustrious history. Penley Steyning captures and enhances the excellence in first growth Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighted by rich berry tones, superior length and layers of intense flavour, a wine which achieves perfect harmony between massive intensity of fruit, mouth filling grape tannins and elegant acids. Penley 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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About Helm - the Winery
Helm
Helm is a boutique cool climate winemaker, one of the first ever commercial operations in the Canberra region
Ken and Judith Helm started the vineyard, winery and cellar door in 1973 and have built it into one of the leading wineries in the Canberra District. It continues to be a family affair with all of the family (including recent additions) playing an integral part in the business. The winemakers are Ken Helm and daughter Stephanie, who are fourth and fifth generation descendants of German vinedressers from the Rhineland, who established vineyards near Albury and Rutherglen in the 1860s. Ken's flagship wines are Riesling and Cabernets and he has connections with Riesling makers from all over the world, eg: Dr Loosen and Katharina PrĂ¼m in the Mosel and Dr Alexander Kohen from the German Wine School in Koblez. Trips to the vineyards and wineries of Mosel, the Rhine valley and Bordeaux have fine tuned the Helm wines. In 2000 Ken instigated the Canberra International Riesling Challenge and his continuing role as chairman allows him to constantly keep abreast of new developments in Rieslings around the world.
Riesling has been Ken's passion for 30 years. The first wine he produced in Canberra in 1977 was Riesling and this won the winery's first show award. The next 30 years have seen some outstanding Rieslings produced at Helm wines, bringing over 50 awards and wine writer's rave reviews. Helm Wines has become renowned for its Classic Dry style of Riesling however recent years have seen the winery introduce a Half Dry style of Riesling which has a hint of sweetness. These two contrasting styles show the diversity that can be accomplished with this classic and often understated variety.
The winery uses a combination of modern and traditional winemaking equipment which allow for the consistent production of high quality premium range of reds and whites.Helm wines have attracted an impressive 30 years of wine show awards from every major show and wine critic in Australia.
Winemaker Ken Helm (AM) was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2010 honours. The award recognises Ken's service to the Australian wine industry as a winemaker, through the promotion of the Riesling white grape variety and as a supporter of cool climate wine producers and to the community of the Canberra/Yass region.
Wines of premium quality have been consistently produced for decades but Helm Wines is more than just a working winery. A visit to Helm Wines could not only involve wine tasting in the historic Toual School House, but also the trivia of wine, politics, history and perhaps a look behind the scenes on a guided tour of wine making (viticulture).
Cabernet Sauvignon, the classic red grape that thrives in the Canberra climate and soils. The wines have been a great success to Helm Wines. In 1984 the first gold medal and trophy to a Canberra wine was the 1983 Helm Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1988 the Helm Cabernet Sauvignon 1986 won the first gold at Royal Sydney Wine Show to a Canberra wine. In 1989 the move to blends saw the straight Cabernet Sauvignon cease production, except for Stephanie who produced her Cabernet sauvignon which in 1998 won gold and trophy at the Cool Climate Wine Show. The winery turned its attention back to Cabernet Sauvignon after a trip to Bordeaux Premium Growth wineries in 1999 by Ken, his son Matthew and grape growing neighbour Al Lustenburger. This trip assisted in the development of the recipe to make consistent premium Cabernets in the Canberra District. The award winning 2005 vintage was the first release using all the techniques of vine management and winemaking learnt in Bordeaux. The success of this vintage went far beyond all expectations, winning a silver medal in the London World Wine Awards and receiving praise from some of the top wine writers in Australia.
A quarter of a century of wine making and promoting, together with pioneering the development of many of the Canberra Region wine styles has been a passion for Ken Helm. He has been involved in the development of the National Wine Show, Cool Climate Wine Show, Wine Press Club of Canberra and in numerous promotional events for the Canberra region. Awarded by NSW Government in 1999 the Graham Gregory Trophy for a major contribution to the NSW Wine Industry. He instigated the International Riesling Challenge held at the Hyatt in Canberra in 2000. Ken was awarded the Wolf Blass Award in 2006 for contribution to the promotion of Riesling.
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