Winemaker Notes
Vignerons and owners, Duncan Ferguson and Susana Fernandez, are qualified experienced winemakers and have extensive winemaking experience in Australia, Spain, France, Italy, Germany and New Zealand. This not only gives them a thorough grounding in many different styles but also an interest in producing wines in with a complexity and finesse beyond simple combinations of fruit and oak. They are highly committed to “in house production” with traditional European winemaking techniques using only their own grapes. As it is one of the most crucial steps in the winemaking process, the participation in every step of the winemaking process, from hand picking to bottling and packaging, with their own equipment, gives full control over the quality and maintains the individuality of each wine.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.