From the Winery

The Barossa Valley confronted one of the earliest, smallest and quickest vintages in 2013, but quality is outstanding. Rainfall in 2012 was the fifth driest on record, leading to early irrigation scheduling to give the vines the best possible start to the season. A cooler than average January followed by a warm February sped things up in the vineyard, leading to an early harvest. Vintage started at Bethany on January 31 with Semillon first across the weighbridge and finishing on the March 19 just before a refreshing down pour of 16mm. Despite low yields, quality is strong across the board with white showing retaining natural acidity and great flavours.

The grapes received were crushed and pressed immediately after the fruit was harvested in the night before it was settled to clarify the juice. The juice cold fermented in stainless steel for 14 days at 12-15C, with selected yeast. It was then fermented in French oak and then left on lees and stirred to add further complexity to the style.

The fruit is sourced from the Schrapel family vineyards in the Barossa Valley on the slopes of the Barossa Ranges, and neighbouring vineyards in Eden Valley.

Eden Valley is a cool climate region nestled between 400 and 600 meters above sea level and is part of the Barossa and Mount Lofty Ranges. It is rough, rocky country that belies its ability to produce wines of great delicacy and finesse. The soils are derived from schistic and sedimentary rock with red clay soils and sandy, silty loams interspersed with schistic gravels.

The cooler climate of the Eden Valley allows fruit to experience longer ripening periods which is perfect for flavour accumulation and intensity. The Barossa Valley fruit offers subtle weight and a complexity of flavours to the palate structure.