Fruit has been sourced from old vines in the Clare Valley. 10 % from Northern Clare or sometimes, as in the current year from Blewitt Springs. The vines are grown on a wide range of soils varying from clay to rocky outcrops and sand in Blewitt Springs. All vineyards have a drip irrigation system, but are rarely used with exceptions such as in 2001, when temperatures were in excess of 35 degrees Celsius for 14 days in a row. Due to the various vine ages and also the range of soil types, the fruit from each of individual blocks ripen at different times. We take advantage of this and pick over a period of 8 to 12 days. This is a densely coloured wine with powerful berry fruit characters plus spice and plum with fine tannins and a long clean finish. Maturation takes place in new and reconditioned barrels for 12 to 14 months. Generally 40 to 50% of the Hogsheads are new, with the remaining ranging from 1 year old to 3 year old.

All fruit, the bulk of which is sourced from the sandy slopes of Blewitt Springs in the McLaren Vale Region, was hand picked and fermented in traditional open fermenters and the cap plunged regularly for maximum extraction. On completion of fermentation the skins were pressed using a basket press. The resultant wine was then aged for 20 months in American Oak barriques. A blend of new oak from several different coopers provides interest and complexity. The resultant wine is deep red with a touch of purple youthfulness on the rim. A powerful bouquet of black and red berry fruits, dark chocolate and spicy, smoky oak are featured. The palate is a complex combination of fruit and oak well balanced with acid and fine grain tannin providing a clean finish. 14.5% alc/vol. A well balanced wine that can be drunk now in it's youth or cellared for many years . Given good cellaring this will drink well for the next 2 to 8 years.

The Swinton Vineyard is situated in Coromandel Valley, and has been owned and operated by Angus and Maria Archibald and their family since 1849. The vineyard is surrounded by houses in the southern foothills of Adelaide, South Australia. Swinton is the last remaining vineyard in the valley, and until the early 1970s' grew some excellent Riesling and Grenache before the housing boom reduced the size of the property. As a keepsake Angus and his father planted a small 1/2 acre plot with Cabernet Sauvignon in 1972. This small plot is now the core of our blend with fruit from newer plantings 1993 and 1995 being added to the blend as the vines mature. The vineyard is North facing with calcareous clay and limestone soils. Drip irrigation is employed throughout, but is only turned on for the young vines or several times in January and February if the season is particularly hot.

THE WINE.
This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of Merlot and Shiraz added about, about 10% in total. This amount varies from vintage to vintage. Because of this, we don't mention it on the label as it really is a small percentage. The fruit was picked mid to late April and fermented in small 2 tonne tanks. Unlike the larger wineries we still ferment in the traditional open tanks and hand plunge the cap 4 times a day in order to extract the maximum colour and flavour from the skins. Fermentation time is 7--9 days after which it is pressed using the traditional basket press. Maturation was in 60% new French Oak Hogsheads and 40% in one and two year olds for a total of 16 months prior to bottling. The wine is a deep red colour with a complex nose of violets, berry fruits and French oak. Medium to full bodied palate with the French oak providing some nice savoury characters. Fine grain tannins and good acid structure ensure the palate finishes cleanly. This wine, unlike many other Cabernets from the Mclaren Vale region, has been made in a more complex savoury style and is best drunk with food. A medium --full bodied wine that has the structure to live for 5--7 years. Swinton Cabernet often is quite closed as a youngster, and so we recommend decanting prior to serving.

Premium fruit from the Willunga region was used to produce this vibrant aromatic red wine. Traditional wine making methods were employes where the Shiraz and Viogner were co-fermented in small open tanks and then matured for a further 28 Months in French oak. This wine can safely be cellared for 2--4 years depending on the amount of bottle age you desire. 14.5% Alc/Vol. Drink now or cellar for more complexity. Decanting is recommended.

This wine is made from premium grapes sourced from one of the great Shiraz producing areas of South Australia namely McLaren Vale . A significant proportion of this wine is handmade using traditional methods i.e. small two tonne open fermenters, hand plunged and basket pressed prior to spending 10 months in older French and American oak Hogsheads. The wine shows its youthfulness with purple/red tinges on the rim. Sweet red berry fruits with some lifted oak characters dominate the bouquet. The medium weight palate reflects the bouquet, with its red fruits and soft oak flavours; sufficent acid and tannins provide structure and balance without being overbearing. The softer tannins and minimal use of oak, approx 10mths in total with 10% being new oak, makes for a fresher earlier drinking style. However this wine can safely be cellared for 2--4 years depending on the amount of bottle age you desire. 15.0% Alc/Vol Drink now or cellar for more complexity.

It is generally accepted that the best examples of Australian Riesling are produced from fruit grown in Watervale in the Clare Valley. The 2007 Riesling is one of the best we have produced, and is in all aspects equal to the award winning 2006 Vintage, it has all the halmarks typical of Watervale Riesling including a seamless aromatic lime and lemon citrus bouquet which also dominate the palate and ends in a long crisp dry finish. Freshness guaranteed by a screwcap.

Premium dry red wine has been aged in small casks for two years for added softness and complexity, then fermented to produce this spicy sparkling red wine. Serve chilled to complement turkey dinners or with canapés at your next party. Enjoy anytime. Freshness and sparkle guaranteed by a stainless steel crown seal.