Returned servicemen from the Great War could look forward to government grants of pastoral freehold. West Australia's Willyabrup Valley was such a place, just a short walk from the balmy beaches of Indian Ocean, it offered the veterans excellent potential for agriculture. The fertile lands of Sussex Vale were originally established to animal husbandry by the discharged troopers, generations of livestock enriched the soils and it was astutely sown to vines in 1973. Fortuitously placed at the very heart of the Australian west's most illustrious estates, it continued to occupy the thoughts of neighbouring Howard Park's chief winemaker, until he acquired the property and relaunched a softly spoken range of the most exquisite wines. Aspirants of the blue blooded styles from Margaret River..
A better block on hay shed hill»
Just three kilometres from Young along Murringo Road, planted to a brisk 500 metres above sea level, Grove Estate was originally sown to vines in 1886, by Croatian settlers who brought cuttings from their farms on the Dalmatian coast. Some of these ancient plantings, emigrated at a time when much of Europe was ruled by Hapsburg emperors, remain productive to this day. Newer blocks were gradually established around these priceless parcels, ostensibly with a view to supplying leading national brands. The quality of fruit became so conspicuous that Grove Estate sanctioned industry celebrities from Ravensworth and Clonakilla to begin bottling under their own estate moniker. The greater Hilltops region is renowned for elegantly structured Cabernet and Shiraz. Grove Estate go one better, they..
Quiet consummations of grove estate»
The palate is full bodied, complex and rich with prominent lemon/ lime flavours and a bready character which lingers. Patricia is the culmination of Brown Brothers commitment to excellence in viticulture and oenology... More»
A satin palate of sherbet and spiced fruit flavours, ever more intense in bubbles and refined in citrus acidity to balance the exquisite natural grape sweetness. The top shelf in toothsome and dulcetly fragrant, fruit forward frizzante wines, fashioned for those who know what they like... More»
A long and balanced mouthfeel with fantastic rich black fruits on the middle palate. A continuation of the evolution in Shiraz from Voyager Estate and Margaret River... More»
Hints of pepper and soft oak spice are well integrated with the dark lush fruits. Increasingly, Mount Langi are reaping the harvest of some sensational old rootstock, sown decades ago... More»
Best described as a new world Chablis, the palate is long and lean with citrus, white peach and excellent minerality before a spicy, nutty finish. Lock & Key redefines the style of New South Wales Chardonnay... More»
Rich, supple, concentrated berry flavours integrated with fruit and oak tannins, a very good length of flavour. George Francis Morris established a small vineyard in 1859, just two miles east of the current Mia Mia Morris family... More»
Just a few kilometres north of Lowburn, near the windswept shores of frigid Lake Dunstan, atop the parched and laborious terroirs of Central Otago, a high country merino stud between the Amisfield and Parkburn streams was sown to vineyards two decades ago. Grazing country makes magnificent viticulture, the austere alluvial and glacial schist soils now yield the quality of Pinot Noir which has defined Central Otago as the world's most demonstrable marque in full bodied, intensely complex, yet beguilingly seamless Pinot Noir. The challenging terraces which spiral around the fractious knolls of Amisfield Vineyard, sire a sensational range of wines defined by their affable excellence, sound structure and pristine, penetrating varietal fruit...
Satiations from the nethermost regions»
There were two scrub covered parcels of land, just outside Pokolbin village along McDonalds Road, that local council had long set aside for use as cricket ground and cemetery. Both were ultimately auctioned off to the highest bidders and sown to vine. A third undeveloped site became the subject of a long running feud among the new and old neighbours. Dodgy invoices between the rivals were exchanged and the division of firewood became a further cause of contention. A truce was eventually called by the two protagonists, Brokenwood and Hungerford Hill, for the sake of healthy viticulture. The nascent blocks achieved international renown as the eminent Cricket Pitch and the Langtons Listed Graveyard Vineyard, establishing Brokenwood as one of the most cherished marques in Hunter Valley wine...
Sociable soils make for healthy vine»