Sophie’s Block Chardonnay 2024
Beechworth
Vintage Conditions
2024 was a cooler and wetter than average growing season with no extreme heat. The season was an excellent season for the whites with the final two critical ripening months drying out allowing the grapes to ripen disease free. This with consistently warm but not hot weather enabled the grapes to develop lovely full flavours cool climate flavours.
Winemaking
The grapes were hand picked on the 17th February. This wine was made using traditional Burgundian techniques and the grapes were destemmed and gently pressed. Wild fermentation occurred with the vineyard’s indigenous yeast in French oak barriques and hogsheads including 25% new oak, 25% of 1 year old oak and 25% of 2 year old oak. There was no malolactic fermentation and limited barrel stirring to maintain the acid drive and structure of the wine.
Tasting Notes
This elegant Chardonnay has attractive dried herbs, cashew, some tight citrus, grapefruit, minerals and a fine integrated oak. The palate is tight, lively and complex finishing with a fantastic length highlighting the pedigree of this wine.
13.4% alc, pH 3.27, TA 6.2 g/L
Drink now – 2032
Henry’s Block Shiraz 2022
Beechworth
Vintage Conditions
2022 was a cooler and wetter than average growing season with no extreme heat. The season was an strong season with the final two critical ripening months drying out allowing the grapes to ripen disease free. This with consistently warm but not hot weather enabled the grapes to develop lovely full cool climate flavours.
Winemaking
Our Shiraz blocks were handpicked on the 2nd April and the grapes were gently crushed, allowing a large percentage of whole berries to remain unbroken. 10% whole bunches were also added to the fermenter. The wine was traditionally fermented using the vineyard’s indigenous yeast in open vats. It was gently hand plunged four times per day and it remained on skins for two weeks. After pressing, the wine was matured for 18 months in French oak hogsheads and barriques (20% New, 20% 2 year old, and a mixture of older oak) before being prepared for bottling with minimal filtration.
Tasting Notes
This wine has classic cool climate pepper and spice, cherry, plums, and black olive whilst still showing some darker berry aromas. The palate has elegant red berries flavours, spice, richness and an integrated oak finish. The fine chalky tannins add structure to this elegant wine.
13.4 % alc, pH 3.68, TA 6.2 g/L
Drink now – 2032
Premium Packs – Chardonnay and Shiraz
Tasting Notes
Our mixed premium packs feature our current release Chardonnay and Shiraz in either a six pack (three of each wine) or a dozen (six of each wine):
3 x Sophie’s Block Chardonnay
3 x Henry’s Block Shiraz
2025 Sangiovese
King Valley
Vintage Conditions
2025 was a warmer and dryer than average growing season but fortunately there were no days of extreme heat, just extended periods of hot weather. The season was an excellent season for both the whites and reds with the final two critical ripening months drying out allowing the grapes to ripen disease free. This with consistently warm enabled the grapes to develop lovely full flavours cool climate flavours.
Winemaking
The grapes were harvested on the 20th March from a premium vineyard grown on a cool East facing block in the King Valley at an altitude of 260m. . The grapes were gently crushed, allowing a large percentage of whole berries to remain unbroken. The wine was traditionally fermented in open vats and was gently hand plunged four times per day and remained on skins for fourteen days. After pressing, the wine was matured for 9 months in older French oak and hogsheads and barriques to help soften the wine before being prepared for bottling with minimal filtration.
Tasting Notes
Our first dry red Sangiovese has vibrant red colour with brick red hues. Aromas of red berries, cherries and spice, with nuances of dried herbs. This approachable Sangiovese has balanced red cherry and darker varietal characters, with a touch of supporting oak and finishing with chalky tannins.
13.5% alc, pH 3.58, TA 5.5 g/L
Drink now – 2031
Pinot Grigio 2026
Alpine Valleys Beechworth
Vintage Conditions
The 2026 vintage was one to remember. After some early concerns with frost, it was a challenging growing season in with dryer and hotter than average conditions through the Summer period. During February rain events slowed down the ripening allowing the vines to recover and the flavours to develop in cooler temperatures. The harvest was later than average due to these conditions. Careful vineyard management ensured all fruit was protected and picked in good condition, preserving varietal character.
Winemaking
Winemaking The grapes were picked on the 11th March. The wine was made using traditional Italian wine making techniques. The grapes were destemmed, gently pressed and fermented at 14C in stainless steel to maximise the gentle Pinot Grigio flavours. . After fermentation was complete the yeast lees were mixed through wine fortnightly to add texture and flavour. The grapes were sourced from our two favourite growers in our area, The Corsini’s on an East facing slope in the King Valley and Indigo Vineyards in Beechworth, who we have worked with for over 20 years.
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes This delicate Pinot Grigio has aromas of pears, almonds and citrus zest. The palate has texture and finesse with a tight citrus drive and refreshing dry finish.
12.8 % alc, pH 3.34, TA 4.6 g/L
Drink now – 2029
2024 Rosѐ Sangiovese
Vintage Conditions
2024 was a cooler and wetter than average growing season with no extreme heat. The season was an excellent season for the whites with the final two critical ripening months drying out allowing the grapes to ripen disease free. It also made for some elegant reds with good varietal flavours. This with consistently warm but not hot weather enabled the grapes to develop lovely full flavours cool climate flavours.
Winemaking
The grapes were machine harvested in the cool of the night. The grapes were destemmed only and gently pressed. 75% of the wine was fermented in a stainless steel tank and 25% was fermented in a selection of older French oak barriques and hogsheads. There was no malolactic fermentation and the wine was bottled early to keep the wine fresh. This Rose is made from Sangiovese grown on a cool East facing block in the King Valley. The Sangiovese was picked at the ideal ripeness to make a savoury European style Rose.
Tasting Notes
This savoury Rosѐ has aromas of cherries, a touch of spice and some confectionery notes. These flavours flow through to the palate and finish w textured dry finish.
12.8 % alc, pH 3.17, TA 6.0 g/L
Drink now – 2027
Red and White Packs Rose, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese
Tasting Notes
Our mixed red and white packs feature two each of our current release Rose, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese in either a six pack (two of each wine) or a dozen (four of each wine):
2 x Rose
2 x Pinot Grigio
2 x Sangiovese
Mario’s Blend Tempranillo Touriga 2018
King Valley
(sold out)
Tasting Notes
Mario’s Blend brings together an exciting mix of two Iberian varieties, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional. This traditional Portuguese blend displays cherries, red berries, spice and some floral aromas. These flavours follow through on the palate, finishing with some fine chalky tannins.
Drink now – 2023
