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Wirra Wirra Awards»
Some precious old blocks of ancient vine Grenache still remain after a government sponsored program to cull unproductive vineyards during the 1980s. Yielding excruciatingly small harvests of the most characterful fruit, these wizzened old veterans deliver small batch vintages which are evocative of the old world classics from Cotes du Rhone. The enduring Wirra Wirra were established 1894, their eclectic range belies the splendour of small parcels which are separately handled and bottled for exclusive release. The Absconder draws fruit from vines planted a century ago, it merits a breathing and decant, an articulation about the sublime excellence of old vine Australian Grenache... The compelling case for old vines grenache»
New Zealand's First Vines»
Established 1851 by the French Marist order, Mission Estate are New Zealand's oldest winery, under continuous management ever since. The city of Lyon's Society of Mary sailed to New Zealand with little more than faith, fair winds and a few healthy vines. Men of Burgundy, they knew from good wine, they chose their ground and planted rootstock near Ngaruroro River between Napier and Hastings at Pakowhai. Agriculture and livestock were a necessity, but the establishment of a productive vineyard was essential. The area is now known as Hawke's Bay, internationally renowned for the rich terroirs of Gimblett Gravels, home of New Zealand's most salient brands... The burgundy tradition of te ika a maui»
Hubbub in the Hunter»
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.. Sociable soils make for healthy vine»
Where The Frankland Flows»
Three British Army officers, in their capacity as agents of the East India Company, established one of Western Australia's first agricultural enterprises in 1836. Named after Captain Richmond Houghton, it was not until Thomas Yule's stewardship that vines were planted and the first vintage of Houghton wine flowed in 1859. Thomas Yule now sources fruit from the eminent Justin Vineyard in Frankland River, a dark ruby Shiraz of lifted liquorice and intense brambleberry, seasoned by piquant pepper notes and supported by showroom tannins. The very elite of Frankland River Shiraz... Artisanal wines of distinguished sites»

Chrismont La Zona Barbera CONFIRM VINTAGE

Barbera King Valley Victoria
The Chrismont property once supported one of Australia's largest tobacco growing operations. Chrismont have since become synonymous with the production of high quality Alpine and King Valley wines, the Barbera grape being a standout performer. With mesoclimes and aspects that are so similar to the premiere growing Asti hillsides of Piedmont, the long summer days of high Victorian country enable grapes to achieve full ripeness, the finished wine exhibits richness of varietal character, the cool local nights contribute elegance and poise.
Available by the dozen
Case of 12
$299.00
Barbera is harvested from vines up to thirty years of age, throughout the cool of night to ensure a slow start to fermentation. As vinification ensues, temperatures are allowed to rise, maintained at a range between 25C and 30C. Depending on the season and quality of fruit, batches are treated to a week or more on skins for the extraction of fine, medium bodied tannins. The active batches are drained and pressed to a selection of seasoned French oak barriques for completion of ferments and a spell of malolactic. After a year of maturation, components are assembled into the final wine and rested for at least six months in bottle prior to release.
Dark, cherry red colour. A showcase of cool climate red fruit characters, fragrances of red currant interplay with suggestions of leather and spice. A ripe palate of currants and plum, cherry flavours are integrated with cedar and vanilla oak, warming varietal spice, dark chocolates and leaf. The structure is tight with fine tannins in support through the length of palate. A good choice with duck, terriyaki beef and lamb.
Italian Red Varietals
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Chrismont
Chrismont's location at the base of the Victorian Alps is undoubtedly the most defining feature of the King Valley

Chrismont Wines incorporates the winery and cellar door operations, in addition to the estate vineyards, owned by Arnie & Jo Pizzini. The beautiful, undulating property in the heart of the agriculturally rich and diverse King Valley initially was dedicated to tobacco production in the 1960s. Chrismont founder Arnie Pizzini, along with his father Arnold, transitioned the property focus to wine grape production in the late seventies. Over the twenty years since then, the King Valley and Chrismont vineyards have become synonymous with the production of high quality wine grapes for red, white, and sparkling wine.

Chrismont

Arnold Pizzini grew up on a farm that had grape vines and a small orchard. He set sail for Australia in 1952 and landed in the North East Victoria town of Myrtleford, helping a migrant Italian family on their tobacco farm. It didn’t take long before a number of Arnold's brothers settled in Australia, too. The four decided to join forces to start a tobacco growing business. From a small share-farming plantation, Pizzini Brothers Pty Ltd grew into the largest tobacco growing enterprise in the Southern Hemisphere.

When the Australian Government introduced a quota system to the tobacco industry severely constraining tobacco production, Pizzini Brothers Pty Ltd was rendered bankrupt overnight. The end of the tobacco era saw the four Pizzini families divide their holdings.

Each brother possessed skills in vineyard management and winemaking, gained on their vineyard in Trentino. Following discussions with John and Peter Brown in 1979, Arnold and Arnie Pizzini received a ten-year contract to supply grapes to Brown Brothers of Milawa, thus embarking on the next Pizzini era.

Chrismont

The first block of Chrismont's vineyards was planted in 1980 by Arnie Pizzini and his father, Arnold. The vineyards now span 250 acres. Undoubtedly, the major force behind the quality of Chrismont Wines is the soil on which the property sits, and the fact Chrismont lies in the heart of the spectacular King Valley. With a similar climate and landscape to Piemonte and Tuscany in Italy and Alsace in France, long summer days enable the grapes to achieve genuine flavour ripeness which gives lovely fruit richness to the wines, while cool nights allow elegant cool climate characters to emerge.

Enjoying the characterisation as a cool climate grape growing district, situated on the northern side of the Great Dividing Range, the King Valley has longer and warmer ripening periods during autumn than most other winegrowing regions of a similar aspect. The King Valley is distinctly similar to regions such as Tuscany and Piemonte in Italy and Alsace in France. This is the basis behind the ability of grape growers and winemakers to achieve exceptional results with Italian grape varieties.

There is nothing pretentious or corporate about the King Valley. On your visit to King Valley cellar doors, often you will meet the families running the wineries. The annual La Dolce Vita festival in November brings out the best in home-made Italian cooking and hospitality. Local wineries join together to put on a fantastic selection of events.

In addition to the exceptional catalogue of Chrismont wines, the La Zona range is a tempting and exciting complement to the Chrismont label. Celebrating a rich history of Italian heritage, La Zona showcases Chrismont’s Italian varietal wines.

Chrismont