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Willow Creek has quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading Mornington wineries, producing ultra fine Pinot Noir. From the first multiple trophy winning 1994 edition it was clear that Willow Creek was an exceptional site yielding superlative fruit. Willow Creek» |
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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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Of particular importance to Shadowfax are the very close relationships with a select group of growers who provide harvests of the most intensely flavoured fruit. A prolific trophy winner, Shadowfax are a refreshing new wave, vigorously fruit driven, livelier than her Victorian siblings, characterised by slatey, flavoursome acidity, a touch of lees complexity and judicious dryness. Shadowfax» |
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Outstanding Langtons Classification. The locals around the Lovedale property say that the sandy soils are so poor, that even the rabbits have to bring a tucker box just to survive! The lean and mean terroir is elemental to the long lived, fine boned style. Mount Pleasant» |
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The uncompromising pursuit of excellence brings the Yealands team to the extreme viticultural climes of Gibbston Valley in Central Otago. It is here under the frigid cloudless night skies that Pinot Noir vines, planted to undulating granite schist soils, struggle to yield harvests of parched grapes, redolent with cherry berry perfumes, bursting with an intensity of flavour and wrapped in a muslin of seamless, velvet tannins. Yealands Estate» |
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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» |
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Brookland Valley Estate made a conspiuous impression through their stirling efforts at Cabernet Merlot when they claimed several significant trophies, including the hotly contested Qantas Best Wine of Show. Expressing fully the generous palate structure and aromatic richness of the stylish Margaret River Cab Merlot accord, beautifully perfumed, bramble flavoured wine, brimming with the quality and elegance which has earned Brookland Valley Estate a five star reputation. Brookland Valley» |
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Metala was the first ever to win Jimmy Watson Trophy, a significant accolade in the world of wine. Fruit for the White Label is sourced from splendid Langhorne Creek vines which can trace a heritage back to the original plantings of 1891. Metala» |
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Richard Bailey planted one of the first Glenrowan vineyards in the 1860s. The Bailey estate survived the downturn of the Victorian gold rush, the ravages of phylloxera and excesses of the Kelly gang, it endures to this day, producing some of the nation's most intensely flavoured and historically significant wines. Baileys Glenrowan» |
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Lenton Brae can justifiably claim to be one of Margaret River's leading proponents of the ebullient fusion between Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, having claimed multi trophies and gold medals for the style at regional, state and national competitions. The site was chosen after a chance conversation with the owner of Moss Wood who mentioned that the soils were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the eminent vineyard nearby. Lenton Brae» |
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The dedicated team at Bird in Hand are driven by a determination to grow into one of the world's great wineries. Proprietor Andrew Nugent lives and works among the vines and the winery. Bird In Hand» |
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Yealands Seaview Vineyard is exposed to some of the toughest growing conditions in Marlborough, high sunshine and billowing winds wind, cool nights and low rainfalls for a smaller, thicker skinned Pinot Gris of exciting intensity. Fruit from the relatively flat, coastal L6M block, provides a pure mineral elegance to the structural backbone. Yealands Estate» |
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About Mike Press - the Winery
Mike Press
Mike Press Wines are located in the internationally acclaimed Adelaide Hills, setting the benchmark for quality wine at an outstanding price
With a string of awards, the secret to its success lies in a nurtured vineyard, more than four decades of experience, and a commitment to the consumer. Mike Press started his career with the best, working alongside Max Schubert at Penfolds before moving on to Seppelt and Krondorf. Mike Press was chief winemaker at Mildara Bass when they won the Jimmy Watson Trophy. He planted his Kenton Valley vineyard in 1998 to focus on growing quality grapes to on-sell. Boasting 85 acres of scenic beauty, Kenton Valley Vineyards, was chosen because of its cool climate, its altitude of 500 metres above sea level, and its rainfall, which is similar to Bordeaux in France. Initially the focus was on semi-retirement. Mike wanted to get in touch with the land by growing the best grapes possible and then on-selling at the end of vintage.
The idea of establishing and nurturing the vineyard and producing quality fruit without the marketing and commercial pressure was very appealing. But plans to sell grapes to large winemakers were quashed when the grape glut hit. With grape prices plummeting, they were unable to sell the fruit without making a massive loss. No longer able to make a good return on the fruits of their labour, Mike and wife Judy instead turned their hand to producing their own wine and entering it into shows. Suddenly they had an ever-growing supply of cleanskins that needed to be sold, so they hit the streets of Adelaide! After two years of letterbox dropping they established a decent sized mailing list and sent out three newsletters a year.
The response rate was overwhelming. The personal approach worked wonders and their customers loved the fact that Mike would personally deliver every box of wine to the door. The wine was originally sold as clean skins and literally sold itself. In fact, it sold out every year, and the accolades soon followed.
In a move almost unheard of, the clean skin wine was named a runner up for the most eagerly sought after wine award in Australia, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for its 2005 Shiraz and Cabernet; and received three trophies and seven golds in 2006 at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show for its 2005 Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot.
It was then Mike and Judy decided to label the wine – a decision which proved fruitful, seeing it recognised by the most renowned wine writers in the country. Reviews by the likes of Tyson Stelzer and Campbell Mattinson, led to the wine continually selling out, and in 2008 its Shiraz was bestowed the highest rated wine under $20 at the Edinburgh Great Shiraz Challenge. In 2009 it was the only single vineyard in Australia to have three wines in James Halliday’s highly acclaimed top 100 wines with its 2008 Chardonnay, 2008 Cabernet and 2008 Shiraz. Further awards followed and then great success at the 2011 Adelaide Hills Wine Show when the 2010 Mike Press Shiraz was awarded the trophy not only for Best Shiraz, but also for Best Wine in Show.
In 2010 Mike Press Wines was listed in James Halliday’s top 10 wines for the year; and this year, was named a five star winery in the 2011 edition of James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion. Despite the success, Mike and Judy’s philosophy remains unchanged, Mike Press Wines continues to be a family affair. With a staunch belief that good quality wine comes from a good vineyard, and a hands on approach, with Mike Press personally involved in every stage of the winemaking - from working the vineyard to bottling– to continue to deliver quality wine at an affordable price, so it can be enjoyed by everyone, any time.
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