Estate Wine Company

Grampians Estate News

Issue 6 Special Friends Shiraz Edition

The Friends Shiraz Collection ...with a little help from our friends

The Friends Shiraz Collection is the culmination of Show Success the wonderful generosity of so many within the wine industry and beyond, following the Four entries at the all important Victorian Wine devastation of the 2006 Grampians bushfires. Show produced 3 Gold and 1 Silver Medals, a brilliant result. Gold for the 05 Streeton, 05 It particularly celebrates those 8 wineries who Mafeking and 05 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz is donated the grapes and juice which make up these just an extraordinary achievement. The Friends very special wines, however it is also a tribute to Shiraz got a Silver. the many others who contributed to the recovery effort, not only on our winery and our farm, but At the Wine Show, the ‘05 Streeton won across the entire Grampians area. the prestigious John Robb Trophy for Best Shiraz, whilst the 05 Mafeking Shiraz also won Gold. The The recovery in the region was severely hampered Rutherglen Wine Show saw Gold for the by the drought the following spring/summer, how- Streeton and Silver for the Friends, whilst at the ever after 2 years of rebuilding, better times have Australian Small Winemakers Show, it was Gold returned with good spring rains. for the 05 Mafeking and Friends Shiraz, and a Trophy for Best Sparkling for the ‘05 Rutherford The Friends Collection therefore is a symbol of Sparkling Shiraz. friendship, community, generosity and faith. It is a reminder of the good things in life, which of Le Concours Des Vins again rewarded the course, usually include good wine. Sparkling Shiraz, awarding it a Silver. The only …………………………………………………… other Silver medal awarded was for Delatite’s The Wineries Polly Sparkling. A Polly & Rutherford quinella!

The 8 wineries involved are all small to medium- Inside this issue: sized family-owned businesses just like Grampians Estate, but at various stages of their growth. In this

issue we look at their story and hope you enjoy Friends Shiraz Collection 1 their wines at some time in the future.

More wine show success 1 Graphix Labels designed and printed the Friends labels. Their support from this leading printing company has been greatly appreciated.

Boggy Creek, Brokenwood & 2 Cobaw Ridge Replacement rootstock was donated by Sunraysia Nursery, just another example of the many gener- Deb Unkles, Kim Bartle, Tom and Stephanie Doyle at ous acts received by so many after the event. And Dakis Vineyard, Dalwhinnie & Le Concours des Vins 3 so the list goes on, too many to mention by name, Estate but never forgotten.

Garden Gully, Shay’s Flat & 4 Graphix The wineries: The Friends Collection • 2006 Black Sunday Friends Shiraz Other News • Boggy Creek () 4 • 2006 Black Sunday Friends Reserve Shiraz • Brokenwood ( vineyard) • Cobaw Ridge (Macedon) • 2006 Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz Events 4 • Dakis Vineyard (Grampians) Each of the wines is a blend of all the • Dalwhinnie () contributors, however the blends vary. Only the Reviews 4 • Garden Gully (Grampians) Friends Shiraz has been shown at wine shows - • Henty Estate (Henty ) one Gold and 4 Silver medals. The Sparkling will be available in July 2008. • Shay’s Flat (Pyrenees) PAGE 2 GRAMPIANS ESTATE NEWS ISSUE 6

The people who made the Friends Collection COBAW RIDGE possible... (Kyneton—Macedon Ranges) BOGGY CREEK Cobaw Ridge was established in 1985 by Alan VINEYARDS and Nellie Cooper. Their vineyard is made up of granite sand soil and is perched high on the (Myrrhee—King Valley) sunny side of the Great Dividing Range at 600m above sea level. Its this altitude which gives these wines such a generous slow ripening period, resulting in the highest of quality wines.

Pinot, Lagrein, Shiraz and Viognier are grown, Their 2007 Vintage will be remembered at for but it’s the Shiraz Viognier that steals the show. all the wrong reasons, not the least for the fact James Halliday—2008 Wine Companion: 2005 that there will be no Estate wines released. vintage: generous, soft, velvety, black cherry, plum

While they were able to survive various forces and blackberry fruit. Rating 94 pts. of nature such as, frost damage, and extreme Graeme and Maggie Ray established their vineyard in 1978 at Myrrhee near Benalla. dry conditions from 2006 winter throughout After supplying local wineries for many years, spring and the growing season, they were they ventured into making their own wine unable to withstand the effect of nearby seriously in 2000, and currently produce bushfires around the King Valley. Starting in 15,000 cases a year. The wines are exported to December 2006 and reigniting in January 2007, the US, Canada and Asia. the severe eucalypt smoke affected the fruit so much that the wine quality was adversely compromised.

From their press release, Graeme stated , "We are just not prepared to sacrifice the integrity of our wines which are held in high regard in the market and by our dedicated customers. The soil type and climate produced a superb While the longer term effect of smoke taint is shiraz component for the Friends Shiraz, not fully known, we are so concerned that the dominated by a white pepper nose. wines will be affected, that we took the Alan and Nellie manage the 6 ha vineyard and decision not to make and release any estate the winery themselves, producing 1200 cases a The original idea was to grow a small grown Boggy Creek wines for Vintage 2007.” year. Lagrein is a northeast Italian variety used commercial planting of vines for Brown to make delicate rose, but Alan makes it into an Brothers starting with and "It's not the ideal way to celebrate out 27th exciting full-bodied dry red. They are also . The vineyard has expanded over the vintage" said Graeme Ray, "however for the experimenting with another variety called years and there are now over 50 hectares longer term we just can not sacrifice the high across 9 varieties. Currant varieties are standards we have built for our wines. Estate Vermentino. Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon grown single vineyard crafted wines is our The tradition in the Cooper family looks like Blanc and Viognier in the whites and Shiraz, business and we want to preserve the quality , Barbera and Sangiovese in extending to 6 generations with their son we are known for." Joshua, who has just commenced a Wine the reds. Science Degree at Adelaide University. Here's to the wines we have on release and to Unfortunately for Graeme and Maggie, they Vintage #28 in 2008! copped the impact of bushfire in 2007 from the Web: www.cobawridge.com.au Web: www.boggycreek.com.au huge Alps fires which surrounded their vine- yard for weeks on end.

The first vintage was picked in 1973. It was a Iain Riggs is the chief wine- BROKENWOOD labour of love for the partners, and the friends maker and managing director and families they conscripted to help, with the of Brokenwood. He has just (Beechworth Vineyard –Beechworth) grapes being carried to the winery in buckets in celebrated 25 years at the the back seat of Len Evans' Bentley. winery, which under his guidance now produces Established in 1970, Brokenwood Wines has Brokenwood's inaugural vintage 100,000 cases a year. evolved from a weekend venture for self- yielded 75 dozen Shiraz - professed hobby winemakers into one of Cabernet. While none of the original partners claimed to know Iain was a judge at the 2002 ’s most reputable wine labels. anything about viticulture, the Victorian Wine Show when wine received praise, and the Grampians Estate 2001 Mafeking Shiraz Brokenwood was founded by a trio of Sydney- attracted a loyal following from its won its first trophy (Best Shiraz) and he rang to based solicitors -- Tony Albert, John Beeston first vintage. congratulate Tom & Sarah. He was also a judge when the 2003 Streeton won a trophy in and James Halliday -- who paid a then record Don’t most wineries begin this Canberra. price of $970 per acre for a 10-acre block in way! the Hunter Valley. The original block - When Iain read about the devastation, he very originally planned as a cricket ground for the 1978 saw the Graveyard vineyard kindly rang to offer some Victorian shiraz from local community was planted with Cabernet established, leading to their their Beechworth vineyard, which has a similar climate, soil and elevation to the Grampians Sauvignon and Shiraz (hence the Cricket Pitch flagship wine, the $100 a bottle Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz ( James Estate vineyard. Range) Halliday on 2004 vintage: 96 pts.) Web: ww.brokenwood.com.au ISSUE 6 GRAMPIANS ESTATE NEWS PAGE 3

DAKIS VINEYARD (Great Western—Grampians)

Paul Dakis has been developing this vineyard (now known as Arrawatta Vineyard) since 2003 on a site close DALWHINNIE to Seppelts vineyards at Great Western. It is (Moonambel—Pyrenees) 330m above sea level and it currently has 12 ha of James Halliday (2008) “It is hard to say Shiraz, Grenache, whether the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo, Sauvignon or the Shiraz is more distinguished” (He rates Blanc, and Pinot Gris. 3 Dalwhinnie shiraz’s on 96 pts, the Chardonnay 95 and the Cabernet 94. Paul was raised on a horticultural property on the Murray River near Mildura where his family In 1972 the remote property was purchased. Eagle Series Pyrenees Shiraz (currently 2004) grew citrus and grapes. After formal education The founder, Ballarat architect Ewan Jones, which sells for $164 per bottle, a testament to he commenced work with the Department of established the vineyard in 1976. His eldest son Agriculture in Mildura undertaking a Phylloxera David, has managed it its quality. survey of vineyards throughout . since 1983 and, with his Web: www.dalwhinnie.com.au wife, Jenny, has owned it Paul spent 10 years with the Department, since 1994. including 2 years working with Peter Hayes and Max Allen The Weekend Australian Drew Noon who were the State Viticulturist 2nd - 3rd February ‘2008 Dalwhinnie is located and State Oenologist respectively. near the tiny village of “Since 1995, the Guthries have produced wine from Moonambel in the heart Paul then decided to move to private of the Pyrenees region of that Vineyard under the Grampians Estate Label, and enterprise, and went on to manage a large , recent vintages - particularly of the top wine, the full- corporate vineyard in western NSW, prior to Australia and is a super moving to Corbans, the second largest wine bodied Streeton Reserve Shiraz - have enjoyed great premium producer of company in NZ. critical acclaim. Shiraz, Cabernet

Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Remarkably, the wines are recovering, and should be He then returned to Australia to work for Rosemount Estate, who became Southcorp, After 25 years of growing grapes, the 18 back to full production this year or next. In the who have since become Fosters. hectare vineyard is now fully mature, producing meantime, the Guthries have produced a very special

true varietal fruit characters with great concen- wine from grapes donated by other vineyards. In his time with Southcorp he was the Regional tration of flavours. Echoing the incredible support given in 1987 to Jasper Vineyard Manager for Victoria based at Seppelt. He enjoyed his time at Great Western so At 595 metres above sea-level Dalwhinnie is Hill vineyard (devastated by bushfire), and in 1998 to much that he decided to start his own the highest and most remote of the Pyrenees Bannockburn vineyard (strafed by hail), eight vineyard, which he did in 2003 on land which district vineyards. The cellar door is a must for was a vineyard about 30 years ago. vineyards including Dalwhinnie, Brokenwood and any visitor to the region, the views are Cobaw Ridge provided 20 tonnes of shiraz to sensational and the wines absolutely top shelf. Naturally his first plantings were Shiraz, which Grampians Estate in the aftermath of the fire. has been followed by Pinot Gris, more Shiraz As seen by the Halliday ratings, David takes and a small area of on a colder great pride in what he produces. The This wonderfully spicy wine, called Friends Shiraz, will southerly slope. Last year an experimental distinctive Dalwhinnie label is recognised be launched at a special dinner at the Royal Mail block of Grenache and Tempranillo were also around the country, the flagship wine being the Hotel Dunkeld Saturday 23rd February.” planted.

HENTY ESTATE The Henty Wine Region located in south-west The white wine labels feature another early Victoria has a history with links back to the pastoral scene at Wando Dale to the west of (Hamilton—Henty Region) pioneer settler family of Edward Henty. Hamilton.

Edward arrived with his family in Portland Bay Noted early colonial artist, William Tibbits, on the 19th November 1834, establishing the painted this scene. It depicts the Redgum Peter & Glenys first permanent settlement. In the log of their landscape so typically identified with the Dixon established schooner "Thistle" a barrel of vine cuttings was Western District. their 7 ha Henty documented. This was the Estate vineyard first record of vines in Victo- Peter & Glenys manage their vineyard to pro- just north of ria. duce the highest quality fruit, shoot thinning Hamilton in 1991. and bunch thinning where necessary, whilst Peter & Glenys have Peter’s passion and dedication in the winery They established employed the history theme, shines through in the quality of the wines. their winery in their labels featuring the 2003 and currently pioneering history of the James Halliday 2008—Hamilton Riesling 2006 got produce 1000 area.The red wine labels 94 pts and the Hamilton Shiraz 2005 got 94 pts cases of Riesling, depict the Muntham Station, Shiraz, Cabernet home to pioneer Edward Web: www.henty-estate.com.au and Chardonnay. Henty, as painted by noted colonial artist Thomas Clark .

GRAMPIANS ESTATE OTHER NEWS WINE COMPANY The new distributor for Grampians Estate in Queensland, Kurt Brill (Grace James Tom and Sarah Guthrie Fine Wines) has recently got the ‘05 Streeton into 3 leading Brisbane 366 Mafeking Road restaurants: Il Centro, Bespoke and Willaura 3379 Restaurant Two. Phone: 03 5354 6245 A couple of new outlets for Melbourne Fax: 03 5354 6257 include Divino Cellars, 526 Camberwell Email: [email protected] Rd, Camberwell, and Europa Cellars, 150 Web: www.grampiansestate.com.au Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.

Cellar door: Garden Gully In country Victoria, the Rutherford 1477 Western Hwy, Great Western. Sparkling Shiraz was introduced to the Lake House in Daylesford in time for Tom & Sarah. Image credit: Pat Cameron Christmas. Western Districts Farmer.

Meanwhile vintage begins in earnest in the new Grampians Estate Winery with around REVIEWS 14 tonnes expected to be processed under the guidance of Hamish Seabrook. Winestate (Nov/Dec) – 2005 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz - 4.5 stars

EVENTS “Classic sparkling shiraz notes” The biggest festival of the year is the commented one judge about the Grampians Grape Escape at Halls Gap blackberries, violets, pepper and vanilla. on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May. With Delivers very good weight and depth of 100 stalls providing some of Western flavour on the palate, with spicy jube Victoria’s finest food and wine, it’s a fruits accompanied by chocolate cake fantastic weekend. Cooking demos, live and black pepper. music, the barrique auction, etc. Some excellent articles leading up to the For those in Melbourne, Grampians Estate release of the Friends Collection have will be joining some 60 other Victorian been written in WBM (Dec/Jan), Outback wineries at Cellardoor at Southgate (Feb/Mar), Western District Farmer (Feb) beside the Yarra Saturday 1st and Sunday Ararat Advertister, and Max Allen in The 2nd March, then later on at “Jeff’s Shed’ for Weekend Australian exert of article on the Good Food and Wine Show from page 3 of this newsletter. Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1st.

Robert and Isabella sell most of their fruit to The Cellar door sells local wineries however they get Michael Unwin predominantly Garden Wines to produce about 500 cases a year. Their Gully wine, but also 2003 Pyrenees Shiraz rated 96 from Mr Halliday. acts as the cellar door for Grampians Estate and Westgate Wines

The two biggest events of the year at Garden Gully are the Scarecrows in the Vineyard Competition as a SHAYS FLAT key event during the Grampians Grape Escape Festival (first weekend in May), and the annual Red Banquet dinner (July 26) at Garden Gully, which ushers in the (Landsborough—Pyrenees) new vintage of the Garden Gully Sparkling Shiraz. Robert and Isabella Burns established their Web:www.gardengully.com.au 18 hectare vineyard in 1999 with shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and a little sangiovese. These guys obviously like their reds.

The site terroir is suitable to achieve Robert and Isabella’s objective of producing low Robert (left) with Steve Fisher and Kim yielding premium quality grapes. The soil structure comprises a thin loam top soil Ludvigson. Web: www.shaysflat.com over a red-orange duplex clay heavily Graphix Labels is a small privately–owned company dispersed with quartz particles. The quartz too, based in Melbourne and employing 75 people. It is enhances the soil structure by providing one of Australia’s leading self-adhesive label favourable water holding and draining GARDEN GULLY manufacturers. properties. Grampians Estate labels have been printed by Graphix The vine rows transverse gently rising ridges (Great Western—Grampians) since 2002, when Graphix designed the latest upgrade to its labels. at an altitude of 300-330m affording great Garden Gully was established in 1988 from an views of the rolling Pyrenees range and old Seppelts vineyard deemed “too old and The General Manager is Simon Tallent (Tallent by contradicting the connotation of Shays Flat unproductive”. That vineyard of 2.4 ha of 60 name, talent by nature). His team of Neil Fisher, being flat. Situated at the end of the Great year old shiraz and 3 ha of 45 year old Riesling Carolyn Davies and Rebecca Vandy were principally Dividing Range, the site appears slightly forms the basis of the business under its new responsible for the 3 fantastic Friends label designs. A warmer than most of the Pyrenees and ownership team of 6 local families which closer look at the labels will reveal just how special Grampian vineyards. recommenced the business 3 years ago. their design was and how it lifts the presentation. Web:www.graphixlabels.com.au