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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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| 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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| Gold Medal Winner at the highly prestigious London International Wine Challenge! The taste is very sweet, smooth, pronounced and delicous, just like dried raisins or rich tawny grape juice. Serve at cool room temperature with fine desserts, pastries and cake, pour liberally over the best quality ice creams. Lustau» |
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| By one of the most consequential winemakers in the greater Canberra GUI, crafted from Shiraz grown to mature vines at Kyeema, on an elevated granite saddle near Murrumbateman. Reserve Shiraz has enjoyed a series of compelling national trophy wins, including Best Red Sydney Royal Wine Show. Collector» |
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| The top cut, off a mere four hectares Pinot Noir, eighteen different rootstock and clone, all picked by hand and separately fermented. Parcels are treated to minimalist vinification and the extravagance of a Vaslin Bucher basket press, followed by a year in the finest French oak barriques and three years cellaring before release. Pressing Matters» |
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| Peter Lehmann has always been Riesling's most outspoken advocate, he has claimed best Riesling trophy at the prestigious London International on more occasions than any other, he declares Riesling to be his wine of choice if marooned on the proverbial desert island. Early picking of fruit from a superior single vineyard in the salubrious climes of Eden Valley has produced a fresh, lively Riesling, expect this captivating wine to exhibit genuine charm and offer great longevity as it narrowly missed being bottled behind Lehmann's flagship Riesling label.. Peter Lehmann» |
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| Scotsdale was acquired by Howard Park as a pastoral property, specifically chosen and planted to make a single vineyard wine. Shiraz is harvested according to flavour with little regard for analytical data. Howard Park» |
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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 five most most exclusive parcels of old vine Shiraz, a secret component of the Barossa's most memorable vintages, hand picked off the De Fazio and Hillview vineyards at Belvidere and Moppa. Batches are crushed into traditional open top fermenters for a week of pumpovers, gently pressed into an extravagantly high proportion of new French oak hogsheads for two years maturation, followed by the final assemblage, unfiltered and unfined. Pirathon» |
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| A vineyard of some historical import, Bernoota is the original block, planted to the Follett family homestead along the banks of River Bremer, two decades before federation. A splendid construct of Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet, selected from old vines around the distinguished Follett family vineyard, perennially released to resounding accolades. Lake Breeze» |
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| De Bortoli hold an extensive collection of barrel aged wines. Stocks of fortified and botrytised Semillon are drawn on from time to time to assemble into a wickedly decadent wine of rare opulence. De Bortoli» |
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| After several decades of crafting Australia's most memorable vintages, Mike Press is more sanguine than ever that great wine can only come from the finest vineyards. His dedicated hands on approach means that he is personally involved in every stage of the winemaking, from pruning the vines and inspecting grapes, right to plunging the ferments and bottling his finished wine. Mike Press» |
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About Blue Pyrenees - the Winery
Blue Pyrenees
The Pyrenees region of Central Victoria is the third oldest of the State's vignobles
The mountain range was named by the noted explorer and surveyor Major Thomas Mitchell, for its raw beauty and similarities to the Pyrenees in south western France, where Mitchell had served as a young Army officer. The first grower of vines for winemaking in the Avoca area was a man named MacKereth, who planted his vines in 1848. His vineyards grew to supply the thirsty miners working in the then thriving old mining industry.
Over the years, Blue Pyrenees Estate has established a truly unique winestyle that captures the perfect balance between new world high technology and old world tradition. It is interesting that the lake depicted on the Blue Pyrenees Estate labels was originally the site of a gold mine, but on following a gold reef, miners struck an underground spring, which is now the source of a valuable water supply to the Estate.
It was in the early 1960's that the area was recognised for its potential for premium quality wine production with its unique combination of deep gravely soils and cool climate conditions. Following considerable development and experimentation the initial release under the Blue Pyrenees label was the 1982 Blue Pyrenees Estate Reserve Red. The rest, as they say is history.
Today, Blue Pyrenees Estate is the realisation of a desire to create a unique vineyard of superior quality in a recognized premium cool climate wine growing region
The painting on the label is reproduced from the original oil painting by the respected artist Lorrie Banks. It depicts moonlight over the vineyards and was painted in 1985 and represents the Estate signature.
The factors determining terroir are primarily climate, geology and hydrology or soil water relations. The Blue Pyrenees Estate in the Pyrenees of Central Victoria was selected because these factors could be identified in a specific combination ideally suiting premium quality wine production. Research conducted by viticulturists and CSIRO of Australia demonstrates that Blue Pyrenees Estate consistently reaches maturity ten days after Coonawarra, a key reference for cool climate viticulture in this country.
Blue Pyrenees Estate is also the coolest in the Pyrenees region, with a diversity of microclimate and soils enabling each clone, and each variety to be planted in the best situation. The vineyards have been planted along the foothills facing north, at an altitude of 400 metres. Rainfall averages around 630mm, the pattern in most seasons being ideal - mainly in winter and early spring.
There is considerable geological diversity as the vineyards are spread over three types of very deep sub-soils
Red sandstone, old grey gravel and colluvium of pure loam. Each grape variety and its chosen clone is painstakingly selected and planted in suitable soils and within the appropriate micro climate. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot were planted, specifically in order to produce a superior house style, blended red wine. Several clones of Chardonnay are planted in selected sites to produce a flavoursome white wine and in other sites, for fine sparkling wine production. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier were also planted in these ideal Pyrenees cool climate conditions. In fact, the Estate now has the largest plantings of Pinot Meunier in Australia.
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are also grown on the property. Petit Verdot is now planted, as is Viognier the premiere varietal of Condrieu in France. These fine quality grape varieties are planted in vineyards totaling 185 hectares or some 460 acres, making it the largest single Estate investment in the premium Pyrenees winegrowing region.
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