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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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Pete Yealands is a natural viticulturalist, happiest at work on the land, he has established many of Marlborough's most splendid vineyards. Single site Awatere Pinot Noir from an exposed terrace on the upper ridge of Seaview Vineyard, planted to some marvelous Dijon clones. Yealands Estate» |
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Elderton Cabernet was winner of the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in 1993, the following years it claimed back to back Gold and Trophy at the Barossa Wine Show. The 1994 vintage gave Elderton its first international Gold medal in London, an unbroken tradition of remarkable vintages have embossed the Elderton Estate name as a national champion, being chosen by Qantas for service in first class. Elderton» |
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Leasingham have remained at the fore of Clare Valley viticulture, making great wine since 1895. They have since established an endowment of the region's most auspicious vineyards. Leasingham» |
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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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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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Frank Potts established the Bleasdale vineyards in 1850, his eponymously labelled wine commemorates a legacy of innovation and resourcefulness. Frank Potts is a Bordeaux styled Cabernet which may contain varying portions of Malbec or Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc or Merlot depending on the performance of vintage. Bleasdale» |
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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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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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So popular are the wines of Pepperjack, that the label hosts its own society of dedicated enthusiasts. This devout cohort of zealots, converges at bespoke venues to discuss matters Pepperjack, they dine on prime beef and imbibe in their cherished libation. Pepperjack» |
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Excellent Langtons Classification. Winner of Australia's most coveted award, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for vintage 1992, Elderton are one of the nation's great icon winemakers. Elderton» |
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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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Connor Park
About Connor Park - the Winery
Connor Park
Re-established in 1993 Connor Park Winery produces handcrafted premium boutique wines
Nestled among the gum trees on the banks of Bullock Creek is one of Bendigos oldest blocks of Shiraz. Planted in the mid 1960s by the late Tom Connor who was renown for his development of Australian farming machinery through his company Connor Shea Machinery. Tom had invented the worlds first pick up baler and post hole digger had visions of perfecting the automatic grape harvester and so set about planting the vineyard in preparation for his retirement . Unfortunately a demanding business followed by ill health prevented his dreams from coming to fruition. Tom passed away and the vines at Connor Park were left to run wild. In September 1985 Toms nephew, Ross Lougoon and his wife Robyn purchased the property to run as a farming enterprise.
Knowing little about grapevines and nothing about wine production Ross and Robyn set about resurrecting the dilapidated vineyard. The old Shiraz vines were deep rooted and produced high quality fruit which was keenly sought after by well known wineries. In 1992 Ross and Robyn decided to extend the vineyard, new plantings of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were added to the existing block. 1993 saw a slump in fruit sales and this encouraged Ross and Robyn to process some of their crop themselves. The 1993 Shiraz was followed by a Cabernet, a Semillon and a Riesling and in early 1995 Connor Park Winery was born.
Today Connor Park crushes all of their own fruit together with a range of wines from selected vineyards and although the continuing drought has had some effect on the volume of production Connor Park continues to produce a diverse range of outstanding wines.
Connor Park is now a 165 hectare rural property, only 25 minutes from Bendigo and a comfortable 2 hour drive from Melbourne. Visitors are invited to enjoy the fine wines, peace and tranquility that can be found at Connor Park. The belief is that quality fruit produces quality wine so the vines are tended with the same consumate care and diligence as the annual wheat harvest.
Ross & Robyn Lougoon divide their time between growing premium dryland grapes and turning them into award winning wines and tending a flock of 1800 merino sheep which are running in dry and dusty paddocks, daily feeding is part of the winemaking estate's routine.
Connor Park is a diverse business, with the fruit being grown on the property, picked by hand and then crushed and fermented in the winery next to the sheep yards. If the grape harvest is late finishing or the Autumn break comes early it is not unusual to find Ross in the winery by day and on the tractor sowing the wheat crop by night. Connor Park crushes all of their own fruit together with fruit from a number of contract growers, their range has grown to include a number of new varieties including marsanne, durif, mourvedre. Sangiovese and Barbera. The wines are handcrafted with the emphasis being on the quality of the fruit being delivered from the vineyard. Never afraid to take a chance Ross has worked with these new varieties with astounding results with numerous medals including a number of gold and silver at shows around Australia.
With the domestic market slowing the spirit at Connor Park would not be dampened, so Ross & Robyn decided the export market was their next target and so in 2002 they commenced exporting to the USA, UK and Malaysia. The winery is currently producing around 8000 cases with the large percentage of this still being premium Shiraz. Connor Park love breaking with tradition, trying something new and experimenting with styles. In 1998 they released their first Sparkling Shiraz, in 2001 they released a Seanne (blend of Marsanne and Semillon) and in 2003 the first Durif and Mourvedre.
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