Our stories
We love to notice and mark the changing of seasons, the sighting of a new birds' nest, or our unceasing wonder at the seamless enrichment that biodynamic viticulture provides our pristine environment. Working in rhythm with nature ensures we are vigilant in the vineyard, and follow that attention to detail through to the winery and the table. As fifth and sixth generation winegrowers, we value family, tradition and progression, and we hope our stories strike a chord with you – hopefully so much that we're lucky enough to one day hear yours.
Saluti!
Steve and Monique Lubiana.
Growing Season 2023-2024 Report
The 2023 winter was the driest in many years which resulted in consistent wallaby and hare invasion, snacking on 1-2 tonnes of potential premium crops. Crop damage was reduced once our fences were repaired. Our flock of sheep, who kindly mow the grass over winter, were relocated to our western property at Hayes, 28km from Granton, in the last week of September. This was due to the earlier than usual bud burst in early October which is approximately, 10 days earlier than the norm.
In general, the growing season of 2023-24 was dominated by warm overcast days with a major rain event of 20mm in the second week of January 2024. We also experienced high winds at flowering in early December that may have contributed to poor flowering set in some of our more exposed plantings. Yields, particularly in our Chardonnay vineyards are better this season compared to last but it is too early to tell if yields will exceed 2023. Quality winemaking causes yields to be managed, if the weather does not do it for us.
Verasion commenced in the third week of January however lately the evenings and mornings have been very cool if not cold. Overnight temperatures have gotten down as low as 10 degrees celsius, slowing ripening. Delayed ripening is good in our case as it builds flavour whilst the sugar content increases.
Netting of the vineyard is expected to take place this week beginning the 5th of February. Depending on the weather we are expected to start harvest between the 20th and 26th of February with the intake of sparkling fruit. The lowest yielding premium wines will follow soon after with Sasso Pinot Noir and then Single Block Pinot Noirs.
Generally speaking we are very happy with the current shape of our vineyards. We have controlled the weeds much better this season with consistent blading and tilling, we managed to repair a lot of the damaged infrastructure as a result of machinery use rather than synthetic sprays. Drip lines, irrigation sub mains, broken steel and wooden posts, trellis wires and some replants have mostly been ticked off the repair list. Although repairs and maintenance of our vineyard are not the most exciting and glamorous parts of our business, they are worth the investment in producing an excellent result and quality wine.
06/02/2024 at 10:00 AM
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2023 Pinot Gris
Our Pinot Gris is grown on a gravel base covered in red loam with patches of riverbed silt. Facing north this soil forms part of the western bank of the Derwent river. Our Pinot Gris plot was planted in 1991, the vines now being close to 30 years old. The vine’s root system is now well established deep into the soil horizons below. The gravel element infuses a perfumed aroma and contributes savouriness and minerality to the palate. Southern Tasmania allows its crops a long and mostly mild and dry ripening period bestowing tiers of flavour. This wine’s texture is generally attributed to barrel fermentation. As well, the grape’s thick skins and the vine’s low yields, often unique to cool climate biodynamic viticulture, creates body. Steve and Marco artfully and skillfully ferment the grapes into wine that is more akin to European Pinot Gris examples rather than those produced in Australia. This is due to small batch winemaking where the grapes are processed as soon as they are picked and the must is fermented on full lees in puncheons (100% 500L French oak barrels) with a portion chilled and left on skins for 2 nights. Colour and tannin are extracted by this cold soaking technique. Rested over winter in the same puncheons, the wine is then bottled in early summer.
Tasting note: In the glass our 2023 Pinot Gris shows a slight golden blush. The nose builds with cut straw, rose perfume and spice. The palate's texture is lucious with ripe fruit characters, apricot, pear and quince. The ample tannin and alcohol cut the palate's sweetness, as the 2023 vintage is less dry than the past 2 vintages, and the finish is long and clean. We recommend matching this wine with delicious white meat dishes, assorted cheeses and lightly sautéed summer greens.
09/01/2024 at 2:00 PM
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