 |
 |
|
| There are two superb high altitude sites in Carey Gully and Piccadilly Valley, which yield an extraordinary quality of Sauvignon Blanc. Knappstein take the top cut of each harvest, crushing the fruit for a long cool vinification, treating a batch to the added richness of oak barrel ferments for texture, complexity and weight. Riposte» |
|
| 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» |
|
| 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» |
|
| Mandoon are a Swan Valley operation of great provenance, their homestead vineyard being an ancient block established on the first rural grant in Western Australia, circa 1929 at a property named Sandalford. Always on the lookout for exceptional parcels of fruit, the highly decorated Mandoon team have focused on a northern block of Research Station Vineyard in Margaret River. Mandoon» |
|
| Bedecked with gold medals, significant trophies and countless five star commendations. Clonakilla is a wine that's ultimately determined in the vineyard, where hard work is required to open up the vine leaf canopies, limiting yields and encouraging vines to make grapes with riper flavour profiles. Clonakilla» |
|
| . . Bottega» |
|
| Whole bunches and oak barrel ferments, the costly extravagance of three years tirage on sedimentery yeast lees, each bottle individually riddled by hand, disgorged and sent to cellar for the ultimate indulgence of extra age before release, Pamela is the zenith of the sparkling winemaker's art. Her luxurious effervescence exudes brioche, tarte tatin and French boulangere, her creamy textural mousse unravelling ribbons of rich yeasty autolysis, crème caramel and baked fruits. Wicks» |
|
| 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» |
|
| Bleasdale are Australia's second oldest family owned winery, established 1850 by English migrant Frank Potts. Potts built much of Adelaide's early colonial works before settling down to his homestead at Langhorne Creek. Bleasdale» |
|
| John Glaetzer is the winemaker behind Australia's most legendary sequence of Jimmy Watson Trophy winning vintages. Langhorne Creek is a place of spectacular editions Cabernet Sauvignon, powerfully structured, beautifully aromatic wines of edifying regional eloquence, gorgeous dark fruit flavours and lusciously gummy tannins. Gipsie Jack» |
|
| 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» |
|
| Rob Sticks Dolan's career in the wine industry began under the tutelage of Greg Clayfield and John Vickery at the enduring Rouge Homme. Dolan established his affinity for Pinot Noir on the international stage when he claimed the prestigious Bouchard-Finlayson Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir at the prestigious London International. Sticks» |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
About Chateau Reynella - the Winery
Chateau Reynella
Chateau Reynella enjoys an unrivalled prestige as the birthplace of South Australia's internationally renowned wine industry and home of the state's oldest operating cellar
McLaren Vale is invariably linked to names such as John McLaren, John Reynell and Thomas Hardy. McLaren was appointed as Senior Surveyor and given the task of surveying the southern districts of Adelaide. His report on the rich and extensive valley of McLaren Vale was completed three years after proclamation in 1839. His team came across a wide valley that members of the party named McLaren's Vale. "This wide valley of McLaren gave promise of much beauty and fertility!"
The site which was destined to become South Australia's first winemaking estate was established by John Reynell in 1838, the first family to grow wine grapes commercially in South Australia, releasing the first vintage in 1842. Reynell planted his vines south of the Onkaparinga River, at the northwest corner of the Panalatinga and Reynell Roads. This original site is still productive yielding grapes that are still processed at the original wineworks to this day. Much of Reynell's property was later broken up to form the township which bares his name.
Within ten years, Reynell became the first to export South Australian red wine. His business grew as Chateau Reynella was enjoyed around Australia and throughout the Empire. As his operations flourished and local businesses started up, more workers were attracted to the area and settled in, the beginnings of McLaren Vale. One of Reynell's employees was Thomas Hardy, founder of Hardy Wines, who moved on to establish his own business, and eventually appropriated the Reynell operations.
In 1982 Thomas Hardy and Sons, an established South Australian winemaking family, purchased the winery, upgrading the facilities and restoring the property to reflect its historic past. The company was family owned until 1992, when it merged with Berri Renmano Limited, a successful South Australian wine co-operative to become BRL Hardy. BRL Hardy enjoyed outstanding success in growing the market for Australian wine in world markets.
In 2003 Constellation Brands acquired Hardys and merged it with its own highly successful wine, beer and spirits business - a move that created the world's largest international wine business. They maintained the heritage of the Hardy name and the Australian business was renamed Hardy Wine. Today, the historic Reynell winery is headquarters of Hardys Wines, and set on twenty one picturesque hectares at the gateway to the famous McLaren Vale wine region.
The Reynell wineworks exude classic charm with their restored architecture. In keeping with John Reynell’s spirit, Hardy's drew inspiration from the estate's long heritage and made a decision to utilize the old basket presses and wax lined, open concrete fermenting tanks for the red wines, and to maintain a traditional, elegant style for the whites. Chateau Reynella are completely crafted to traditionalist vinification techniques, a tribute to the winery's founders. The premium McLaren Vale wines regularly receive international critical acclaim. Chateau Reynella was named Top 25 Wines in the World by Wine Spectator and continues to collect trophies around the Australian Wine Show circuit.
The suburbs around Reynella still retain their heritage as a pioneering agricultural colony and maintain links to their historical roots. The region's first hotel, the McLaren Vale Hotel opened in 1857, was subsequently bought by Thomas Hardy who insisted that his innkeeper always keep a room available for him. A vist to the Hardy operations at Reynella is a journey into the past. Take a guided tour through the botanic gardens and past the historical buildings before returning to the cellar door to taste premium wines.
|
|
