Winemaker Notes
Bob Berton is a recognizable name throughout Australia. With over 30 vintages under his belt, both top grape growers and winemakers know him alike. While he started in senior management roles for some of Australia’s top estates, he didn’t found Berton Vineyards until 1996 when he purchased a block of land in High Eden, the premium sub region of Barossa Valley. Completely hands on, Bob established his vineyard from scratch and after successfully establishing this one block he realized he needed more. In 2005 when the former Southcorp winery in Yenda became available, he jumped on the opportunity. Keeping the company family owned, Berton Vineyards has successfully grown to one of the 20 largest wineries in Australia as well as being awarded a 4 Star James Halliday Winery.
Berton owns a modern production facility located in the regional township of Yenda which has a population of around 1,600 people and is 360 miles southwest of Sydney. Growing and sourcing from the same first-rate estates each year within the Limestone Coast, Barossa Valley, High Eden and throughout South Eastern Australia, in order to build a consistent product. With this partnership, Berton Vineyards crushes and ferments each vineyard in batches and then grade and blend accordingly, with an emphasis on all that is casual, friendly and approachable in wine. Berton features three tiers of wine, their popular premium Metal Label range, their super premium Berton Reserve series and their flagship Berton High Eden wines.
Covering a long strip of southeastern coastline in South Australia, the Limestone Coast growing region has a moderately cool climate and includes the subregions of Coonawarra, Mount Benson, Mount Gambier, Padthaway, Robe and Wrattonbully.
Its warm northern and inland areas are recognized for high quality, full-bodied Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The much cooler Mount Gambier, to the extreme south, is well-suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.