Aramis

Aramis hve been awarded a staggering amount of awards and accolades at Australian and international wine shows in recent years. The vineyards are planted on their own rootstock to some of the world’s oldest mineral rich soils and in the most temperate of Mediterranean climates. The vines consistently produces excellent fruit quality from low yielding vines. Only the best parcels of fruit are carefully selected from the vineyard and bottled under the Aramis label. Great attention to detail with the integration of fruit flavours and fine oak barrels helps produce classic handcrafted styles of wine. Aramis have pursued their passion to produce rich and intensely flavoured wines. There are 64 acres planted, the majority of which is dedicated to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Knowledge of the vineyard is paramount, with meticulous management and tireless commitment to achieve fruit of the highest standard.

McLaren Vale has a fairly Mediterranean climate with the moderating influence of the Gulf of St. Vincent tempering the summer heat and the cold of winter. The climate is characterised by warm summers, moderate winters, winter-dominant rainfall, low relative humidity and relatively high evaporation. Rain during the harvest period and frost are rare. For the viticulturist this means less likelihood of crop damage from year to year. Flowering occurs between July and September with ripening and harvest occurring from February through to May, depending on the variety and weather.

The rainfall is sufficient in some areas to allow dry growing, and this fruit attracts premium prices because of the intensity of flavours. Where irrigation is used, drip irrigation is favoured. There are sufficient sources of good quality underground water and irrigation dams to maintain vine growth.

The wines are fermented in five tonne open fermenters. Maturation in American and French oak for 12 - 24 months and then further maturation in bottle before release. Fining, if required, will be executed using pure egg white outsourced from a free-range chicken facility. Corking methods are of the latest technology, only the best corks are used, there is no expense spared when bottling Aramis's wine. All wines which show prominent McLaren Vale characteristics. The Aramis passion for premium wine, McLaren Vale's consistency and expertise combine to produce some of the finest wines available.

Aramis concentrate their energy and skills on producing the classical wines that are most recognised and suited to McLaren Vale's viticulture. Aramis Vineyards express the personality and charm of a unique vineyard site. Respectful and thoughtful handling throughout the entire process ensures the wines confidently articulate the story of Aramis vineyards and the McLaren Vale region whilst showcasing the regal nature of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Aramis vineyards are blessed by a close proximity to the coast where daily sea breezes combine with the exacting vineyard management regimens to deliver small but high quality harvests of intensely flavoured Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes. Constant management of soil moisture and disease control is practiced. Controlled watering is the preferred method of watering at Aramis Vineyards. Disease is monitored on a day to day basis, whether it be spraying for protection against botrytis one day, to checking for bugs the next. Disease control is paramount to the vineyards overall health. Berries are always quite small in size, displaying an enhancement of pure varietal characters and splendid concentration of flavour. All the winemaking is highly traditional and very labour intensive. Maturation takes place in a high proportion of new American oak barriques. The final wine is assembled from a selection of the best barrels and those parcels which can best demonstrate an intensity of fruit balanced by well integrated oak.

The yield of the vineyard is determined mainly by the method and know-how of pruning. The best way to prune a vineyard is by hand, Aramis will only do what is best. They craft nothing but the finest wine possible from a unique vineyard site. Located in the McLaren Vale and grown on own rootstock to rich Terra Rosa soils, the vines enjoy excellent sun exposure, yielding parcels of fruit with optimum flavour, colour and tannint. Heat generated during the day is moderated each evening by coastal winds that cool the vines for an extended ripening, permitting the tannins and seed to develop fully.