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| Pinot Meunier like no other, certainly the most distinguished bottling of its kind anywhere in the new world. Mostly old vine Concongella Pinot Meuniere, from grapes picked off parcels established 1970, with the inclusion of a priceless component of ancient vines 1868 Pinot Noir. Bests» |
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| Originally released in 1976, the Koonunga Hill range has established a sound reputation for quality and consistency, while availing red wine enthusiasts of the opportunity to approach the enduring Penfolds style. The inaugural 1976 vintage of Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet was a legendary wine, still drinking well at Penfolds red wine recorking clinics. Penfolds» |
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| Perfect balance in wine cannot be manufactured, it occurs naturally. Gemtree achieves this elusive idyll. Gemtree» |
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| Villa Maria possess the magic touch with Pinot Gris, regularly clearing international wine events of prestigious trophies. Private Bin has been included in the Decanter Top 50 Best Under £10 and identified as a Decanter favourite. Villa Maria» |
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| David O'Leary really knows about things Cabernet Sauvignon, having claimed a Jimmy Watson Trophy and twice International Red Wine Maker of the Year. From low yielding vines up to fifty years of age, grown to superior sites within the Armagh Valley and Polish Hill River districts, the O'Leary Walker team create a powerful and complex, exquisitely perfumed and seamlessly layered Cabernet Sauvignon, framed by judicious oak and supported by graceful tannins, reflecting the idyllic growing climes of Valley Clare. OLeary Walker» |
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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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| In exceptional years, parcels of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are separately fermented. The best lots are assembled into a multiple trophy winer named Harry's Monster and treated to an extravagant maturation in the finest oak. Giant Steps» |
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| The quality of Shiraz grown to parched vineyards in Victoria's rugged western districts, has been well known throughout the world of wine since the days of gold rush and early settlement. Taltarni have since established an enviable reputation for vintages of powerfully structured, statuesque red wines, fully exploiting the soft spoken majesty and graceful intensity of Pyrenees Shiraz comes naturally. Taltarni» |
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| Tim Knappstein began his apprenticeship under the family owned Stanley Wine Company. Within a decade, Tim had won more than 500 show awards, gold medals and trophies for the premium Leasingham range. Riposte» |
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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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| 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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| Samuel Dunn was an early Amherst resident, one of the first settlers to plant grapes in the Pyreness. His land was exploited for sheep grazing, until diggers found the locality alive with gold. Amherst» |
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About Bellvale - the Winery
Bellvale
Established 1998, Bellvale are a family owned winery vineyard operated by principal, winemaker and viticulturalist, John Ellis
Situated along the lush Tarwin River valley of South Gippsland, the area is acknowledged as one of Australia's best Pinot-Noir producing regions. This is reflected in Bellvale's numerous international and national awards over the last decade. The name, Bellvale, is derived from the Ellis family's rich agricultural heritage, which may be traced back to a farm in Nieuw Amsterdam (the New York area), in the late 1600s. The Bellvale label features two majestic oak trees that grace the centre of its vineyard. Exposure to Australian wines sparked an interest in terroir down under. What followed was a lengthy period of research and the selection of South Gippsland's cool climate. John now produces wines that are acknowledged as some of the regions finest, in keeping with the premium producers of the Burgundy region.
John Ellis spent many years on Long Island, in southeast New York, before emigrating to Australia in the 1980s. His abiding passion for fine wine and viticulture stem from extensive free time spent in Europe during a 25 year career as a commercial pilot. To maintain his interest, John followed several agricultural paths during that time, including planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to supply the first vineyard in the Hamptons during the 1970s. Over time came many trips to Burgundy to hone his knowledge of traditional French winemaking methods and traditional viticulture.
Ellis chooses to adhere to the traditional methods of the premium producers in the Burgundy region, where vine density is high and crop load limited to sacrifice quantity for quality. He manages 10 hectares of Pinot Noir and 5 hectares of Chardonnay, a number of clones used for each variety, adding subtlety and complexity.
Bellvale's flavour profiles present the full expression of a vineyard tended the artisan way. Ellis ensures that the vineyard creates the wine, there are no fancy tricks in the winery. The only embellishments are maturation in a combination of new and used French oak barriques for a minimum of 12 months.
Not so long ago, the South Gippsland region along Australia's southeast coast represented brave new territory for Pinot Noir grape growers. It is now acknowledged as one of the country's leading Pinot Noir-producing regions, with Bellvale's own vineyard rated as one of the top two for the region. There are a combination of warm days and cool evenings because of the southwesterly flow off the Southern Ocean, which is beneficial to the ripening process. Irrigation is unnecessary and the vineyard enjoys excellent drainage, a propitious north facing hillside position, large natural terraces, basaltic red clay loam soil of ancient volcanic. These are all conditions which yield exemplary harvests for the crafting of outstanding Victorian wines.
Bellvale's Pinot Noir is elegant and well structured, featuring a powerful palate of rich, ripe black fruits, with a fine oak influence. Her cool climate Chardonnay is crisper, due to higher acidity, tightly structured, with a well defined balance between fruit, secondary characters and integrated oak. The estate's vines have extensive and very deep root systems, which allow the fruit to more effectively express the terroir. John Ellis concurs with the French masters that great wine is made in the vineyard. The knowledge and experience Ellis gained working vintages in Burgundy translate into Australian wines of amazing richness, seamless integration and the most wonderful complexity.
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