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admin

Not Long To Go Now.

27/02/2018 by admin

It’s a great time in the vineyard when you see the fruit just push past veraison  (the stage in the annual growth cycle of the grapevine where the grapes soften and begin to develop sugar).

The Pinot Noir fruit has passed 50% of its colour change from soft green into rich deep purples and indicates the rapid approach of vintage.  I can finally get a feel for Vintage 2018 by wandering through the vines and peaking beneath the foliage.

The fruit looks strong and well developed, no “Hens & Chickens” in the clusters, also known by the French term, millerandage (a state when a grape bunch contains berries of different sizes and levels of maturity). The normal-sized, seeded berries are the “hens,” and the small, seedless berries are the “chickens.” It’s believed to be caused by cool weather during flowering. Such irregular clusters obviously affect the fruit yield and distribution of sugars and so we like to avoid them.

Although the fruit looks more than promising, the yield this year looks a little lower than in previous vintages. This is of little concern however as  less fruit on the vine usually means better quality over all as the same amount of sugars and nutrients are being distributed through less clusters. Much like sharing a cake with fewer people – the pieces are larger.

However, one can speculate all they like but until I conduct my sampling run in the oncoming weeks I won’t know for sure, but that’s the game –  the constant battle between reason and intuition.

Fortunately this year, they’re both telling me the same thing : 2018 looks extremely promising.

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Out With The Old and In With The New

08/02/2018 by admin

It’s a painful but necessary sight to see old cordons stacked up high for burning, however spectacular the bonfire may be. The relationship I’ve built with these vines over years of pruning and promoting vertical shoot growth, harvesting and of course producing the fruit of our labour – the wine. It always puts me in check as I recognise how fleeting moments are and how special it is to be able to bottle them.

Cordons are the canes which are trained along the cordon wire from which spring the shoots bearing the grapes for next year’s harvest.  This pile of removed cordons is from  half of one three acre Chardonnay block. As such, no fruit from this section will be produced this year, just extensive vegetative growth.  The other half of this block was removed last year: new canes were selected and trained onto a new cordon wire during last year’s pruning season (May to August) and will produce fruit this year.

Why do we remove them? If left too long the vines will become less fruitful. To encourage new growth and vine management we ideally remove the cordons every 5 – 10 years. Cane pruned vines such as Sauvignon Blanc actually have the cordon removed annually and produce fruit on newly laid down canes.

I’ll let you know when we’ll light it up, after harvest and the fire-ban season of course but before too much rain sets in. Feel free to come along and have a memorial glass of Chardonnay in the warming glow of old friends who are responsible for producing such great cool climate Chardonnay.

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Pinot Noir Archaeology

02/02/2018 by admin

Jasmine 2006 Pinot NoirHow thrilling, the Jasmine Indian Restaurant in Hindmarsh Square Adelaide, a long supporter of Barratt Wines has just unearthed a 2006 Barratt Pinot Noir, a truly memorable vintage, a gold medal and trophy winner of the Adelaide Hills Wine Show.

I recently opened a bottle a couple of months ago with close friends and it was outstanding, great continuing tannin structure, precise lasting length, delicate tones and of course wonderful aromatics.

There was only one bottle discovered and I believe price is negotiable.

I’m so envious as I only have a few bottles left in my own cellar.

A real golden ticket, if you grab it please get in touch and let me know what you thought about it.

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Barrel Tasting The 2017 Pinot Noir

22/01/2018 by admin

It’s one of my favourite times of the year when I get to sample the wine which has been sitting patiently for 10 months in new and used French Oak.

You always hope for the best, but the truth is you never really know precisely how they’ll turn out. A lot can happen during those months and one expects there to be taste variation between different barrels of different ages, cooperage and even the forest from where the oak was sourced; not to mention subtle differences between clones and vineyard aspect. Throw in the variations of an open fermentation and the possibilities are endless.

So, before we blend the wine components into tank,  we have a blind tasting and deduce which barrels are stand out and which perhaps are marching to a different beat.

It’s an exciting, but also fearful moment as you really get the opportunity to see what all the hard work and patience is all about.

This year we had ten barrels to sample (one year we had 64!). One of the principle aims is to see if there are vast variations between the barrels. If this is the case, I would take the top ones for the ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (formally our  Reserve Pinot Noir) and blend the rest into a non-Reserve release (formally the Bonython).

In a perfect winery universe I’d like all barrels to become the ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir.

Fortunately it appears, certainly for this vintage, I am living in a perfect winery universe. The variations across all ten were very slight. Colour, perfume, length and tannin structure were all fairly similar. Some slight acidity differences but in all very promising notes – as such all will go to the 2017 ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir.

Quite a relief to see the tasting produce such excellent results and I look forward to seeing how all ten work together – balancing any subtle differences or disputes they may have had as individuals.

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Achieving Vertical shoots

22/01/2018 by admin

There comes a time once each year where a series of foliage wires need to be “lifted” to achieve vertical shoot positioning.

It’s back breaking work and not for the unfit, working in the sun and lifting heavy vigorous tangled canes laden with fruit.  Not only do the wires need to be lifted, but the tangled canes need to be separated from each other in order to allow the bunches to be appropriately exposed to the sun and breezes of the Piccadilly Valley.

It can take an entire morning, or longer, to complete just one row of vines.

The process is important however as by lifting the wires you ensure vertical shoot growth. The vertical positioning is critical in establishing good canopy to protect the developing fruit, even more so once veraison takes hold (the stage in the annual growth cycle of the grapevine where the grapes soften and begin to develop sugar).

But it’s not all bad. The long hours and strenuous work provide me with the opportunity to really get a feel for what the vintage will be like. This year is looking good with excellent healthy growth and no signs of disease.

In conducting this essential exercise, I can only hope for overcast days and gentle breezes to accompany me as I work my way along the undulating hills and rolling vines.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way – the exercise always seems to be due at the hottest time of the year.

Enough chatting, I’ve had my iced cordial and I still have three rows to finish before day’s end and then onto the next block.

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Cellar Door Festival 2018

04/01/2018 by admin

Unfortunately our Summertown cellar door will be closed on the weekend of the 3rd & 4th of March. Fortunately however, you can find us at the Adelaide Cellar Door Festival from the 2nd through to the 4th.

We always love attending the cellar door festival, surrounded by our peers and celebrating the many wonderful wine regions throughout South Australia, especially the Adelaide Hills. This year there will be 180 producers showcasing their wine over 3 days at the Adelaide Convention centre. There will be talks, food, master-classes and dancing, not to mention the opportunity to meet and mingle with some really great wine-makers.

For more information visit their web page at www.cellardoorfestival.com

Drop past and say hello and sample some new vintages such as the 2015 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and hopefully a newly bottled 2017 oak fermented Sauvignon Blanc.

Let’s make it a date and we’ll look forward to seeing you there.

Filed Under: Events, Home Feature, Newsletter

It’s That Time of The Year Again.

05/12/2017 by admin

Wow that went fast. One minute you’re thinking about weathering the hail to step outside into the vineyard to prune, the next you’re harvesting, then bottling and wondering when you’ll get a chance to catch your breath as the vines beckon you to attend them again – I wouldn’t have it any other way; those demanding but delicate friends are worth every cut, blister, heartache and sleepless night. That said, the year has come around, as often it does, and it’s important to mark the moment, take a breath, open a bottle and celebrate all that has passed and all that will come.

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome the new year and all that it may bring and say thank you to all of you who’ve supported Barratt Wines over the many years we’ve been producing and providing hand-crafted cool climate varietals; whether you’ve just joined us, or you’ve been part of the story over the last thirty years, I say thank you.

Next year holds lots of promises and exciting prospects are presenting themselves throughout the vineyard and I really look forward to sharing them with all of you, as I hope you do with each other.

Take care over the holidays, and note that our cellar door hours will adjust slightly. We’ll be open on Saturday the 23rd of December but then closed on Sunday the 24th. However, we’ll reopen on Saturday the 30th of December but will close again for New Years Eve on the 31st.

Again, I wish you and your loved ones well and hope you celebrate the festive season with vigor, laughter, love and of course – Pinot Noir.

All the best.

Lindsay & Wendy.

 

 

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

The Worst Part About A Sunrise Is That It Always Ends Too Quickly.

05/12/2017 by admin

rose 2017

The last time we spoke about Rosé we spoke of special occasions and moments where baking cakes were involved. Well, it seems that no matter how many times I tried to slice it there just weren’t enough pieces to go around.

Bone dry with savory notes and a strawberry bouquet it was seductive, so much so that we sold out within weeks of release.

Note to self: next time bake a larger cake.

This vintage I’m planning to double the production and use some of the Pinot Noir from the vines running through the middle of the vineyard which I believe will produce the same wonderful characteristics established  in the Rosé produced this year, a delicately balanced mineral and fruit ensemble with playful flavours and a serious finish; the thinking man’s Rosé.

Initial release will be through the cellar door and online only.

As every sun rises it must also set, but the beauty of it is that inevitably it will occur again and again and again. Each rise subtly different from the next, but held together by a common thread of colour, flavour, length and love.

 

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

Pinot, Pétanque, Paella at Patch

05/12/2017 by admin

I acknowledge that the heading is a mouthful, but it seemed fitting considering the great tastes and combinations being offered on Friday the 15th & 22nd of December at Patch Kitchen and Garden in Stirling.

A long supporter of Barratt Wines and famous for matching our award winning Pinot Noir with seasonal dishes, Patch just can’t help themselves and are showcasing a series of great Friday nights starting from 5pm and running through the balmy Stirling summer evenings until 11pm. We’ll be there pouring and talking about Pinot Noir and supplying our award winning ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot  for tasting and by the glass for a special half price happy hour from 5.30 – 6.30.

Furthermore Ben’s built a  pétanque piste and roped in Chef Roger Campbell to cook his famous $20 paella on the terrace at 6pm.

Pinot, music and good company are a must with pétanque and paella – tick!

Filed Under: Events, Home Feature, Newsletter

2015 ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir Shines at Adelaide Hills Wine Show.

04/12/2017 by admin

Adelaide hills wine show logo
The Adelaide Hills Wine Show is the most prestigious wine show of the region and represents hundreds of producers and winemakers alike. It’s a great chance to see what’s going on in the region and sample a variety of vintages from a large cross section of varietals.

I was pleased that we received medals for all three of our entered wines: a silver medal for the 2015 ‘Uley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir  while the 2015 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay & 2017 Sauvignon Blanc were both awarded Bronze. The competition was stiff, but I was happy with the result and to be recognised by my peers throughout the region.

The award winning 2015 Pinot Noir is currently only available through the cellar door or our online store. So now the weather has become more accommodating to scenic drives through the wonderful Adelaide Hills, drop through the cellar door and enjoy the garden, the platters, the company and of course the real star of the show – the wine. Else click on the bottle and explore the options of having it delivered directly to you.

 ♦♦♦♦♦♦silver medal

 Uley Vineyard Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir 2015


Barratt-Reserve-Pinot-Noir-293x440

“32 year old vines, destemmed, 35% whole bunches, open ferment, cultured yeast after 5 days cold soak, 12 days on skins, matured in barriques (22% new) for 10 months. The highly fragrant and flowery bouquet is a Siamese twin with the lively, juicy palate complexity and length from the whole-bunch component. A seductive wine that grew and grew on retasting”. –  James Halliday’s 2017 Wine Companion

Filed Under: Home Feature, Newsletter

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