WINTER 2008

 Finally we have had a vintage worth celebrating! We had some very welcome summer rain that helped finish the grapes without the water stress of the last few years. Most grapes were sold off farm with, 6 tonnes of Tempranillo being reserved for the Wallington label.

A big thankyou to those who joined us for vintage , the days are long but everyone has their role to play whether it's picking grapes , picking up bins, washing out bins, helping at the crusher or press, there is something for everyone, and always great food , wine and company!!

Although we have been working our vineyard and olive grove under a sustainable regime for many years now, we feel it is time to take the extra step and become certified  organic .The whole farm will progress to organic certification over the next few years. Nothing changes a lot but we are fencing off the vineyard so that we can graze sheep there over the winter.

Winter means PRUNING and it is in full swing.

We are releasing our new 2005 Shiraz  and 2004 Petit Verdot this winter both are great examples of their variety, the Shiraz being rich and spicy, and the Petit Verdot full of ripe berry and earthy richness.

We also have a quantity of cleanskin wine available, a 2004 Grenache,Shiraz,Mourvedre blend that is not quite of the standard to be labelled Rockdell( our flagship wine blend).

We are very happy to open the cellar door for tastings and meals on request, This gives you a more personal experience of the winery and our wines.

Olive oil has been produced  this year, not much but what we have is great. So we do have a quantity of cold pressed extra virgin oil . It's has strong fruit flavours with a  spicy finish.

 On the home front, my eldest Isabella 20 is at Sydney Uni studying Social Science.

 Nadja 19 is enjoying the Wine Making and Viticulture degree she is studying at Charles Sturt Uni, Wagga Wagga, so hopefully I can take a break in about 10 years!!

Veronica 17 is the runner of the family and has covered a lot of ground at State ,National and represented Australia in the Junior women's World Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland comeing home with a BRONZE medal for individual and a GOLD for the teams event. This was the first time Australia has entered a junior female team !!

Gabriella 16 continues to be our entertainer, she keeps us all smiling.

 The horses now only 8 as we have loaned Little Louis ,a mountain pony ,to friends with young children, and Moet ,the home grown filly ,has been sent off to school to become a polo pony for a friend.

 The dogs Boswell the Jack Russell retains his superior serious attitude, while Sancho ( labradore /retriever) Veronica’s when he feels like it training partner, is now best friends with the new pet pig !! I call it Christmas much to the consternation of the girls.

THE GOOD NEWS IS ALL ABOUT OUR GREAT WINE !

2003 Cervantes Methode Champenoise Pinot Noir. 750 ml Punted Burgundy bottle with crown seal

This is a mighty sparkling red. Named after the author of that most famous book Don Quixote. We thought “tilting at windmills”  “dream the impossible dream” sort of described what we do here, and more importantly in the memory of Anthony who was a Don Quixote type individual.

The Pinot base wine was transported to Petersons Champagne house in the Hunter for refermenting and was left on yeast lees and turned for 18 months before being disgorged in October 06 .It is dry and robust, with a creamy richness. A Special occasion wine.

2003 Rockdell, Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre  750 ml tall punted French Claret bottle with stelvin cap

This wine follows its brothers footsteps of the 2002 as our most popular wine. The fragrant nose leads to an explosion of flavour across the palate. A rich, ripe long tasting wine, in the southern French/Spanish style.

After fermentation the grapes were left on skins for 1 week, they were matured in a combination of French and American oak1/3 new for 2 years before blending Shiraz35% Grenache 35% and Mourvedre 25%  & Petit Verdot 5%

 This is a big red ,well rounded, loads of flavour and finishes with firm tannin

2006 Chardonnay. 750ml punted burgundy  bottle with stelvin closure

I managed to get hold of an unused 1750l(big) french oak barrel ,which when purchased you could see daylight through the staves .Wood is a remarkable  and forgiving product to work with ,so having faith I filled it with water. It took 2 days for it to stop leaking like a sieve and many litres of water .but I then had a magnificent new oak barrel to use .So, Murray couldn't resist suggesting I use it to barrel ferment the Chardonnay  .The result is a stunning Chardonnay  and with the addition of 5% viognier is a vibrant but rounded wine. It was left in oak for 15 months racked a couple times and bottled non filtered at 18 months.

2005 Rose  Grenache  750 ml clear claret bottle with stelvin cap

 It is a dry style with no residual sugar. Made for summer drinking with floral aromas and soft fruit flavour, it's a great light luncheon wine

SPECIALS We do have clean skins for sale by enquiry.

BE PART OF THE WINEMAKING TEAM

JOIN US AT VINTAGE during March and April, most weekends or mid week for the enthusiasts.

Picking starts  early while it is still cool. We provide snips, water bottles, bring hats and sturdy shoes. Refreshments will be delivered to you in the vineyard throughout the morning until midday or when the 2 tonne needed are picked, when you will be rewarded with a substantial meal washed down with a range of Wallington wines. You'll be able to help crush the grapes you've picked watch the ferments begin and in 18months time receive some of the wine you had a hand (or foot) in making. Relax in the evening at the winery enjoying the local hospitality.

We have some limited, (8 adults + a few kids), accommodation in our cottage for the very keen, meals etc provided for the  helpers.

There are various accommodation opportunities in Canowindra

Canowindra Riverview Motel
63441633

The Old Vic Inn
63441009

The Royal Hotel
63441201

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Margaret, and the girls Isabella, Nadja, Veronica and Gabriella.

LIFE'S
TOO
SHORT
TO
DRINK
BAD
WINES