VINTAGE 2019 “It is really exciting to make wine in the fermenters that have not been used for over 90 years.” SLATE Andrew ‘Ox’ Hardy, Winemaker. SHIRAZ BACKGROUND When Thomas Hardy purchased the Upper Tintara Vineyard in McLaren Vale in 1871, it heralded the foundation of one of Australia’s greatest winemaking dynasties. Today the picturesque property is still owned by the Hardy family and consists of native protected scrub and approximately 45 Ha of vines. WINEMAKING 2.3 tonnes fruit from the Moreton Bay block was destemmed, crushed and chilled into a picking bin before being emptied with bucket and shovel into an open slate fermenter at the original Tintara winery. The winery was built by a consortium of wealthy Adelaide businessmen led by the legendary Dr A.C. Kelly in 1863, the slate mined at nearby Delabole quarry in the Willunga Hills. These fermenters were last used in 1927. The cold must was inoculated with a chosen yeast strain, Melody as well as a mixture of wild yeast strains, and the open ferment was hand plunged three times a day. Fermentation lasted 9 days after which the wine was pumped out and the skins dug out with bucket and shovel. The skins were then pressed in a basket press straight to older French oak barriques for 18 months maturation before bottling on November 11th 2020. Winemaker Andrew Hardy Appellation Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale Variety Shiraz 100% Vintage Harvested on the 28th of February 2019. Sustainable viticulture practices. Colour Deep , rich instense purple. Aroma Bold and lively, hints of spice and florals. Palate Intense blackberry, raspberry and rich dark liquorice. Medium-bodied with grippy, powdery tannins that move through to a long, smooth finish. Wine Analysis Alc: 14.5% RS: 1.7 g/L TA: 6.9 g/L pH: 3.50.