NEW RELEASES: *2023 Estate Pinot Noir & 2023 Estate Chardonnay*

 
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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.

Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

Deep Valley Malbec 2021

Deep Valley Malbec 2021

Malbec is originally a Bordeaux variety that is often used as part of the Bordeaux blend, is now grown all over the world. Although Malbec is used less in Bordeaux today, it is the primary variety in Cahors, France where it is locally known as Côt and produces dark and bold wines. Malbec, originally from France, is most well known now for being the key red variety in Argentina, where it grows in Mendoza at the foothills of the Andes. In the past Steve has grown a number of varieties to test their suitability to our Granton Estate. We are lucky enough to have a few rows of Malbec planted here in Tasmania.

Our Deep Valley Malbec 2021 is a single vineyard wine. Although our vineyard is in a cooler climate than Cahors and Mendoza our northerly aspect and proximity to the Derwent River allows us to consistently ripen grapes in Australia's coolest climate!

The Deep Valley Malbec 2021 is unfiltered and spends time in French oak barrels to ensure well integrated oak and softer tannins. A softer wine than its French and Argentinian counterparts however it boasts an aromatic nose with weight and power on the palate. There are notes of red plum, blackcurrant and black cherry. Black pepper, dried herbs and liquorice also feature. The palate is savoury with a harmonious blend of spices that include cinnamon and clove. A great match with chargrilled lamb ribs! The wine is drinking well now however, it will benefit from further cellaring. Cellaring potential 8+ years.

We are fortunate to produce and release this unique wine however, these releases are always limited in quantity due to small production. To secure the new Deep Valley Malbec 2021 please follow the link below.

Time Posted: 16/10/2023 at 10:00 AM Permalink to Deep Valley Malbec 2021 Permalink
Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

Ned Goodwin Review

Recently, Ned Goodwin, a Master of Wine (one of 414 in the world!) visited the island state to write an article for James Suckling. The trip would take him all over Tasmania visiting vineyards and Cellar Doors. During his trip he stopped by Stefano Lubiana Wines and met winemaker, Marco Lubiana who showed him through our vineyard and wines. In Ned's own words -

'The first lightning strike during my trip was leveled by Stefano Lubiana and his imperious raft of biodynamic, single-site pinots, during my visit to his winery in Granton, in Derwent Valley.'

'The entire Lubiana range is stunning, with minimally invasive handling, a little more tension to the whites and a pulpier, easier-going nature when it comes to the reds. While I encourage you to stack your cellars with all of these Lubiana beauties while waiting patiently for eight to 10 years for them to soften, my favorite for now, as it so often is, is the Stefano Lubiana Pinot Noir Tasmania La Roccia 2021. The carapace of tannin is beautifully refined, serving as a bulwark of restraint, staving off any excessive fruitiness from seeping across its barriers.'

During Ned's trip he reviewed a range of our wines with our La Roccia 2021 being scored the highest out of all wines tasted! Marco treated Ned to a sneak preview of the 2022 Collina which is slated for a mid-2024 release, when the wine will be in an even better place for release.

Single Block La Roccia 2021 - 97 Pointslimited
'Often the cuvée I prefer of the pack due to the sterner carapace of tannin, compressing and corralling what, in so much of the New World, can be excessively sweet fruit. Not here! Rhubarb, cinnamon stick, tamarind and bluer fruits over red. The tannins are sublime, Firm, sure, but refined, sinuous, a little stern and long-limbed, stretching across the palate and guiding flavor into every crevice. From biodynamically grown grapes. Excellent, mid-weighted pinot with ample aging potential. Best after 2026. Superb!'

Collina 2022 - 96 Pointsmid-2024 release
'Collina is a hillside selection from culled barrels to the tune of 1000 liters in all. Inaugural vintage under cork. For the better. Tight. Hazelnut, acacia, lees-derived sourdough and reductive flint and mineral grit. This drives extremely long, belying its mid-weighted composure. Wow! A strident, athletic expression. Extremely complex. It funnels its way long across the palate. Great chardonnay, this. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2026 or 2027.'

You can read the rest of the article from Ned via this link here. The rest of our wines that Ned reviewed are also available below.

Single Block Il Giardino 2021 - 96 Pointslimited
'This is the most fragrant and graceful of the single site pinots at this fine address. Perhaps, the most precocious. A sumptuous nose of raspberry bon bon, lilac, pomegranate, and griotte. A smattering of garden herb strewn across a kit of sinewy tannins, growing in stature with time in the glass. Fresh, dense and multitudinous. From biodynamically grown grapes. There is an uncanny immediacy about this mid-weighted wine suggesting that it is drinkable now, but really it will be best from 2025.'

Sasso 2021 - 96 Points, limited
'A confluence of the best performing, lower yielding rows across the three single sites. Thus, usually the first picked as ripening is expedited. Often Roccia-dominant, as in this instance. Blood plum, ferrous notes of ironstone, darker and meatier than the other cuvees, blowing white pepper and Asian five spice long across a forceful, filigreed finish. This is a graceful, richly flavored pinot, as much as it is a sublimely elegant one. The tannins, extremely impressive. I'd bury this. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2026.'

Single Block Ruscello 2021 - 95 Pointslimited
'A refined nose, mute but shimmering with intent as it is clearly marked by depth and precision, with just the faintest allusions of fruit. This is a mid-weighted wine of structural torque, hinting pomegranate, persimmon, kirsch, forestry scents and rose hip after a workout in the glass. Perhaps the most enticing of the single site cuvees in its youth. A wonderful, incisive drive through the mouth, directed by beautifully managed tannins, taut but svelte at the same time. The tannins, the signature of the estate. A long life ahead. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.'

Grande Vintage 2011 - 95 Points
'A very cold year in these parts, as with most of the country. Great for fizz, as a result, befitting a cuvee that is only released when exceptional. Low dosage (3.8g/L) accentuates the chalky detail. A whooping 11 years on lees and one under cork, delivers toasty breadth and considerable power. Excellent nose of acacia, orange amaro and almond croissant, with a tensile bite across the emphatic finish. An Aussie fizz that really delivers. Drink or hold.'

Estate Chardonnay 2022 - 94 Points
'Sourced from meager, gravely soils. Hazelnut, white peach, a fleck of marzipan and pungent mineral undertones, with nothing overt. A very chiselled and taut opening act, belying extreme fruit intensity. This is an exceptional medium-bodied estate chardonnay of flavor, spunk and more sophistication than anticipated. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.'

Estate Pinot Noir 2022 - 93 Points
'A good portion of whole bunches given the benign vintage, particularly for red wines. Mid-weighted, sappy and juicy, with the bunchy tannins evincing just the right amount of grip without any notes of pickle, or mezcal. Think cherry amaro framed by gently verdant tannins and a gritty, salty finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.'

Pinot Gris 2022 - 92 Points
'A gorgeous orange to copper hue, attesting to gentle skin contact period and no color fining. Full barrel ferment confers further depth and ample texture. Rose hip, orange verbena, lilac and crushed musk stick, with orchard fruits lingering beyond. This is a wonderful gris, mid-weighted, detailed and apposite at the table. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.'

NV Brut Reserve - 92 Points
'A pinot noir dominant fizz, with a dollop of chardonnay. Just under two-years on lees, albeit, with significant older reserve wines drawn from oak, large and small, to bolster the texture. Chalk, subtle orchard fruit accents and a whiff of toast. Always a delicious, mid-weighted fizz that is easy drinking, as much as it is subtly sophisticated. Drink or hold.'

To purchase any of these wines please follow the link below.   

 

Time Posted: 25/09/2023 at 10:00 AM Permalink to Ned Goodwin Review Permalink
Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

2022 Amphora Malvasia | 2021 Syrah

2022 Amphora Malvasia & 2021 Syrah

2022 Amphora Malvasia Biodynamic

Our 2022 Malvasia is medium gold in appearance. This handsome full bodied wine displays notes of elderflower, fuji apple, bosc pear, musk, marmalade, and aromas of freshly cut herbs such as thyme and oregano. The palate is rich and concentrated with a fine line of acidity. Honey, orange peel and green papaya flesh out the palate while soft well rounded tannins that gives a long and interesting finish. This complexity is due to the fermentation on skins and aging in Amphora.

This wine is rare gem that is a homage to Stefano's family roots of northern Italy region. Malvasia is not commonly grown in Australia, let alone found in the cool-climate region of Tasmania. 

The 2022 Malvasia can be paired with a variety of dishes ranging from seafood to white meats. Drink now or cellar for 6+ years.

 

2021 Syrah Biodynamic 

Our 100% Tasmanian grown and made 2021 Syrah biodynamic is an ode to the wines of the Northern Rhone Valley.

A cool-climate Syrah, that trades brashness for elegance because of its trove of naturally fine tannins. A lovely bouquet that has notes of violets, lilacs, blackcurrants and mulberry set over a backdrop of spicy oak and cedar as well as tobacco, these balance the wine's pretty first impressions. The palate is voluptuous and savoury without withholding flavour, texture or satisfaction given its cool-climate origin.

Drink now if you like buoyancy and tension in your reds or hold to see these components relax and flesh out with the benefit of further cellaring. Pair our 2021 Syrah with a juicy, marbled steak cooked slowly over a Hibachi grill to match this wine's brilliant elegance. Cellaring potential 10 years +. 

Time Posted: 23/08/2023 at 10:00 AM Permalink to 2022 Amphora Malvasia | 2021 Syrah Permalink
Monique Lubiana
 
16 August 2023 | Monique Lubiana

2021 Vintage

The 2021 growing season was met with a wet winter allowing the soil to take in vital water for the season ahead. Spring was thankfully dry with budburst occuring at the end fo August. Cooler temperatures during the ripening season allowed for steady accumulation of sugar and phenolics with the wines from 2021 showing bright acidity, perfect for aging. The vintage was also challenging as we were short staffed due to COVID-19. This will be a vintage we remember where all hands were on deck to pick and process the grapes!

Time Posted: 16/08/2023 at 2:32 PM Permalink to 2021 Vintage Permalink
Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

2021 Sasso Pinot Noir

Our 2021 Sasso Pinot Noir has received a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards! 

'Now in its 20th year, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) has firmly established itself as the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Respected globally for its rigorous judging process and world-class judges, DWWA results are trusted internationally by both trade and consumers.

The 20th edition of the competition saw 236 international wine experts, from 30 countries, including 53 Masters of Wine and 16 Master Sommeliers evaluate 18,250 wines from 57 countries.

'In the glass the 2021 Sasso shows a vibrant medium ruby in colour. It has a complex nose with notes of sichuan peppercorn, clove, red apple skins, orange and red cherries. The palate is distinctly fine and the fruit beautifully balances between powerful and restrained. Saffron, cut fennel, dried herbs, and pink peppercorns also feature on the palate. The bright acidity along with the silky mouthfeel provides the finishing touch. Pair the 2021 Sasso with truffle, roast duck or pork. Drinking beautifully now the wine will benefit from 10+ years of cellaring.'

The word Sasso means stone in Italian, chosen for this wine due to the predominantly stoney and gravelly soils we have in our vineyard. It is a single site wine coming from three distinct plots in our vineyard at Granton in the Derwent Valley. We are blessed to have such different soil types in our cool Derwent Valley site. This wine is the truest expression of our terroir.

The geology of the plots varies considerably from grey silty gravel over gravelly clay in the Ruscello plot to red chalky clay over limestone in La Roccia plot with the Il Giardino plot having a heavier greyish black clay topsoil over chalk and gravelly clay. The elevation of these plots is 100m above sea level with a 10 to 15 degree north to north east aspect to ensure a high level of phenolic maturity at harvest.

The early releases of Sasso mostly came from the Ruscello plot producing fine boned ethereal Pinot with immediate appeal and lovely softness. In the last three vintages we have introduced the other two plots into the blend to provide greater structure and palate length provided by the heavier soils.

The plots have a vine density of 4500 vines per hectare and are intensively manicured by hand with multiple passes throughout the year to ensure perfect sun exposure, cane positioning and fruit load. Green thinning is extensive for Sasso with a maximum yield of 4 tonnes per hectare, often less. This tiny yield ensures superb and profound concentration, a hallmark of this wine. These plots have been grown Organically/Biodynamically since 2010 and Stefano Lubiana Wines has been certified biodynamic since 2013.

With all the attention and hard work done in the vineyard each year the winemaking takes a backstep. With such clean ripe fruit, winemaking is a straightforward process with no fancy tricks or additions. Most ferments are 100% whole bunch with a few whole berry ferments for blending. All ferments are wild and occur in small open fermenters. The wines are matured in French barriques in our underground cellar for 12 months before bottling on site.

 

Time Posted: 10/07/2023 at 9:37 AM Permalink to 2021 Sasso Pinot Noir Permalink
Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

Deep Valley Wines | A collaboration between Steve and Marco Lubiana

Deep Valley Wines

A collaboration between Steve and Marco Lubiana

Deep Valley is collaboration between father and son, Steve of Stefano Lubiana Wines and Marco Lubiana. The wines are a balance of Steve's classically graceful winemaking style and Marco’s youthful intuitiveness which has resulted in a new joint label for the talented duo. Developed to produce small batch wines from Steve's sustainable and ethically farmed vineyards located in the Derwent and Huon Valleys, these wines are a pure expression of Steve and Marco's creative winemaking.

The 2022 release blessed us with a Chardonnay from the Derwent Valley and a Pinot Noir from the Huon Valley. Both wines are a limited single vineyard release and are unfiltered and unfined to capture the terroir from which they come from.

 

Deep Valley Chardonnay 2022 - $60

The fruit for this chardonnay comes from our property at Granton. The grapes were pressed and the juice underwent fermentation in 100% barriques - 20% being new oak, the rest in neutral oak. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and was aged on lees for 10 months to promote complexity and give the palate a rounded mouthfeel. Barrel stirring (battonage) was kept at a minimum to preserve freshness in the wine.

Upon opening the wine dispays a rich nose full of lemon peel, grape pith, quince, toast and flint. The palate immediately follows with bright and vibrant acidity, a round and creamy mouthfeel and a long finish. A great match with fresh and cooked shellfish! Cellaring potential 5 years.

 

Deep Valley Pinot Noir 2022 - $60

Unlike it's counterpart, the fruit for the Deep Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from the cool depths of the Huon Valley. The grapes were cold soaked before fermentation to promote colour richness. Fermentation was with mostly whole berries and were de-stemmed apart from 10% being whole bunch which adds aromatics, tannins and aids in the aging potential. 10% of the wine saw old oak with the remainder in stainless steel to preserve freshness and show the terroir of the Huon Valley!

A wine that is full of red fruits such as raspberry, cherries and hints of rhubarb and spice. The crunchy acidity of the wine is sure to delight! Pair this wine with mushroom, roast chicken or grilled pork! Cellaring potential 5 years.

 

Time Posted: 06/06/2023 at 7:29 AM Permalink to Deep Valley Wines | A collaboration between Steve and Marco Lubiana Permalink
Stefano Lubiana Wines Cellar Door
 

New Releases | 2022 Grüner Veltliner & 2020 Chicane Merlot Malbec

New Releases

 

2022 Grüner Veltliner

We are excited to annouce the release of our 2022 Grüner Veltliner! For those who are unfamiliar with the variety, Grüner Veltliner (grew-ner velt-lee-ner) is a native Austrian variety and accounts for nearly a third of vineyards in Austria. The variety offers a wide spectrum of flavours that range from citrus and stone fruits to more exotic spicy notes.

Steve's love of Grüner Veltliner started after doing vintage at Pittnauer in Burgenland, Austria in 2012. During his time in Austria he saw and tasted some exception examples of Grüner Veltliner which prompted him with the idea of grafting some vines over to see how the varierty would perform in the Derwent Valley. Now onto our 8th release it is safe to say the Derwent Valleys cool climate is a great match for this aromatic and textural Austrian variety.

The 2022 Grüner Veltliner is a riper style and exudes orange blossom, pear and musk on the nose. The palate is textural with subtle oak, lychee and roses. A great match with grilled artichoke or asparagus, asian spices and rich soft cheeses.

 

2020 Chicane Merlot Malbec

Merlot and Malbec are originally Bordeaux varities where Merlot still flourishes on the right bank of Bordeaux in St.Emillon and Pomerol. Malbec on the otherhand is still grown in smaller quantities in Bordeaux and around Cahors however it is now a key red variety in Argentina, where it grows in Mendoza at the foothills of the Andes.

The 2020 Chicane Merlot Malbec is a blend of predominantely Merlot. As both Merlot and Malbec have thicker skins than Pinot Noir the wines are more structured with elevated tannin and spend more time in French oak barrels to ensure well integrated oak and soften the tannins.

On the nose the 2020 Chicane has a creamy plum nose with black and red fruits such as cranberry, mulberry, strawberries and pomegranate. Hints of rhubarb overlay the fruit with fennel seed, clove and star anise complimenting the palate. The wine is dry with tight, chalky tannins. A good match with slow braised beef cheeks or charcoal grilled lamb shoulder. Although 2020 is a cooler year than 2019 this release of Chicane will benefit from further cellaring.

We are lucky to be able to produce and release these unique wines however, as our focus here at Stefano Lubiana Wines is on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay these releases are always limited in quantity and sell out before the following vintage! To secure the new 2022 Grüner Veltliner, 2020 Chicane Merlot Malbec or both, please follow the link below.

 

Time Posted: 15/05/2023 at 9:00 AM Permalink to New Releases | 2022 Grüner Veltliner & 2020 Chicane Merlot Malbec Permalink
Monique Lubiana
 
19 April 2023 | Monique Lubiana

New Release | 2021 Single Site Pinot Noir's

New Releases | 2021 Single Blocks – Ruscello, Il Giardino & La Roccia

The time has come for the release of our beloved Single Block Pinot Noir's. The demand for these wines have risen over the years and we see these Single Block Pinot Noir's sell out in a matter of months. A very small-production of each wine results in extremely limited quantities of the Single Blocks being available. Please see below notes on the 2021 vintage and each of the wines.

During the 2021 vintage we had a small amount of rain however due to diligant work in our biodynamic vineyard our grapes reached phenolic maturity earlier so we were able to pick most our grapes before the rain. The vintage was also challenging as we were short staffed due to COVID-19. This will be a vintage we remember where all hands were on deck to pick and process the grapes!

The soil type of each of the single blocks underpins their unique profiles. All soil types are within 500 meters of each other, such a small area to have such differences in their soil profiles. Reduced yields allow the vine to focus its energy to their roots, delving deeper and wider into the soil to absorb more minerals and nutrients. Keep in mind all 3 Single Block Pinot Noirs are vinified the exact same way.

 

Ruscello

The Ruscello block is located near a little creek that runs mostly in winter through the middle of the property. The soil is a silty grey loam over white gravel and gravelly clay. The vines are mature at 25 years old. This block produces very generous and pretty fruit – exactly what most devotees love about Pinot Noir

 

Il Giardino

The block from where the Il Giardino Pinot Noir comes from sits over a cracking black clay base over patches of chalky limestone. Limestone is known to attract water and clay allows for valuable water retention. The block is located high on the hillside tucked away from the sometimes, harsh westerly weather. As a result, the vines grow with more vigour, producing structured wines with higher acidity and tannin profiles.

 

La Roccia

The main geological feature of this block is a large limestone rock shelf that rest in the middle of the block. It has red crumbling clay topsoil and has the highest elevation of the 3 blocks, facing northeast. The La Roccia, is always the first picked and consistently produces wines with the greatest structure and tannin ofthe all blocks, lending this wine to age well in the cellar. We recommend 10 years cellaring.

 

Time Posted: 19/04/2023 at 8:26 AM Permalink to New Release | 2021 Single Site Pinot Noir's Permalink
Monique Lubiana
 
22 March 2023 | Monique Lubiana

Pinot Noir with Easter Lunch

Easter Sunday is on the 9th April 2023. This date will come around quickly. Harvest usually commences at our Granton Estate on or about the 1st of March. This year we started picking sparkling wine grapes on March 14th. It is a very busy time of the year. But we usually host Easter lunch for our family. We also invite a handful of friends and vintage interns who are at a loose end or who have no family with whom to celebrate.

This year, Pinot Noir will be the star of the show. Generally a handful of bottles are chosen to celebrate the day, matched with Steve’s favourite meal, duck. He buys a duck semi prepared from our local Moonah Chinese grocer (this is the cheating part). The duck is re-baked it in our oven for about an hour to achieve the twice-cooked flavour. To serve, Steve steams up some pancakes or buns and slices up organic spring onions and cucumber to accompany.  A shiny glaze of hoisin sauce is added once the ingredients are packed neatly into the pancake.  A couple of family members are vegan but this poses no problem whatsoever. Plant Asia is a food brand that makes plant-based duck that is widely available. This meat duck substitute matches equally as well with the king of reds, Pinot Noir.

Steve admits after over 30 years of making Pinot, and travelling the country attending countless dinners and lunches, he can say he’s eaten more duck than almost any other consumers. It is by far the most delicious meat to marry with Pinot Noir.

Typically chefs prepare confit-duck in a restaurant setting. This is where the duck is taken from the oil and crisped up in the oven, and served with steamed greens and creamy mashed potatoes with jus. Preparing duck this way provides texture to the protein as well as the melt in your mouth tenderness, which accentuates its gamey spicy flavour.

Duck is only a suggestion for Easter lunch; we are lucky in Australia to have many choices of other fresh and affordable foods. Like most families at Easter we will enjoy a few chocolate eggs after the meal.

There are plenty of fantastic Australian Pinot Noirs to choose from as well as some great New Zealand, American and French wines. We have put together a Easter Pinot Noir 6 bottle pack for this occasion, giving you the opportunity to enjoy three different Pinot Noirs of ours over Easter and offering you a saving of $38 on the wines. Buon Gusto members also receive their additional saving on top.

This Easter Pinot Noir 6 bottle pack consists of:

1 x 2022 Stefano Lubiana 'Primavera' Pinot Noir
Our Primavera Pinot Noir is mostly wild fermented, de-stemmed and taken off skins early to retain lots of  fruit flavour. The grapes are hand picked, hand sorted and fermented with own yeasts and some whole bunches. Basket pressed after about 3 weeks. The result is a beautiful, soft red wine with natural medium body that has wonderful drinkability. 

4 x 2021 Stefano Lubiana 'Estate' Pinot Noir
"Tasted alongside the 2020, this 2021 Estate Pinot Noir shows the vintage for all that it was: cool, fine and precise. All of the 2021s tasted for this report have an extra level of excitement and finesse about them, and this wine is included within that. In the mouth, there is a framework of very spicy, fine tannin: orange zest/oil, Campari, black cherries, thyme and a hint of sage. The wine is savory and vital, pure and complete. Very good, but it will be better." - 93+ Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

1 x 2018 Stefano Lubiana 'Sasso' Pinot Noir
We have three unique blocks of Pinot Noir (II Giardino, La Roccia & Ruscello). The fruit from these blocks are specifically chosen for this wine as they produce fruit of the highest quality. This wine is medium weighted, with soft savoury tannins and well-balanced acidity. "A style in which I have always enjoyed making and drinking" - Steve Lubiana. The wine is only produced in exceptional years with the 2020 being only the 8th year of Sasso.

Buon appetitio & Happy Easter!


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Time Posted: 22/03/2023 at 9:00 AM Permalink to Pinot Noir with Easter Lunch Permalink
Monique Lubiana
 
27 January 2023 | Monique Lubiana

Making wine in Australia that tastes like Europe

Making wine in Australia that tastes like Europe.

As a young couple we loved to share a bottle of Beaujolais, Village.  We adored its fruitiness tannin and soft finish; at the time no one in Australia was producing anything remotely like it.  I think this is where the seed was sown to produce a comparable, more accurately interpretive, wine style.

The grape variety Gamay was not widely produced when we first planted our vineyard and I’m not even sure if you could buy cuttings back then, I'm not up to date with what clones of Gamay are now available in Australia.  Our first priority was to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to produce sparkling wine given it was the reason we relocated from the Riverland of South Australia to greater Hobart.  At that time 1990 Australia was experiencing a financial crisis and businesses were dropping like flies due to ultra high interest rates around 18-21% the levels not yet seen since.  Luckily grapes that were tightly held became available due to the difficult financial conditions.

Confident that we could sell a new style of wine, high interest rates did not deter us other than check our exuberance to make more wine than we could really afford.  At that time banks were really conservative in their lending, given the foreclosures.

In 1993 we produced our first very fruity, soft Pinot Noir we called it Primavera Pinot Noir modelled on our favourite Beaujolais.  We pinched the name ‘Primavera’ off a set of 4 decorative plates named after each of the seasons Steve’s mother, Dolores purchased from Bassano, Italy during one of their machinery buying trips with her husband Mario.

We were purchasing grapes at the time, as our vineyards were not yet producing.  Steve believed the best wine he could make was a soft red, one highly perfumed, super fruity, with very soft tannins and acids.  Something with a romantic flare that would appeal to all generations, a wine to share with those you love, a lover's wine.  A wine that can accompany a picnic or ordered from a wine list at an expensive restaurant.  It can be given as a gift trusting it has universal appeal.

Our Granton vineyards have been in production for decades now and we converted to biodynamics in 2010.  Our Primavera wine has grown in stature and quality during this time.  Each vintage we elevate this wine to the next level of irresistibility.  The grapes are supplied with more and more nutrition, the winemaking and processing equipment are fine-tuned and its oak components are now matched more succinctly.

Today we release the newest addition to our premium wine offering with the very delicious 2022 Primavera Pinot Noir.  This wine shines as a wonderful example of how a European wine inspired us to create our very own flavour of Europe in Tasmania.  Raspberries and strawberries perfume the nose while subtle flavours of cherries and dark berries as well as cedar spice saturate the palate.  Super fine silky tannins and acids hold tension and slowly fades out on the finish.  This wine suits many cuisines and is built to age 5-10 years depending on your cellar.

We celebrate the new release of our 2022 Primavera Pinot Noir!

 

Time Posted: 27/01/2023 at 3:11 PM Permalink to Making wine in Australia that tastes like Europe Permalink
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