Processed by hand

Our wines are completely processed by hand. The attention to detail is shown by the delicacy and clarity of the aromas. 

Our range of sparkling wines is made by the authentic Méthode Traditionelle.

By careful pressing in our stainless steel basket press we achieve a softness which allows our wine to enjoyed without the addition of high sugar concentrations at disgorging. Our wines are always sold within two months of disgorging, this ensures the freshness is preserved. 

What, no cork?

The best sparkling wines are delicate and are often damaged by the traditional cork closure.

Sealing our sparkling wines with a crown seal eliminates the problems associated with cork including: 

• le goût de bouchon – the mouldy smell called cork taint.
• le goût de bois – a woody taste.
• le goût de colle - glue taint
• loss of gas pressure

Since 2006 we have eliminated cork from our table wine range as well. We believe that in the same way that consumers have embraced the screwcap on table wines, they will eventually be convinced of the superiority of the crown seal on sparkling wines.

Understanding Our Label

Our cuvée number has letters followed by  a four digit number. The letters indicate the grape varieties, the first two numbers indicates the vintage year. The next two numbers are the number of months the wine spent on lees in the bottle before disgorging.

CURRENT RELEASES

2021 semillon
PETILLANT NATUREL  ZD 21/26

Sémillon is not one of varieties authorised in Champagne. However, it makes the best white wines in the Hunter Valley. Our fruit was grown on Hermitage Road by Ken Bray. Ken is well known for his premium Sémillon grapes. A minimum of 15 months maturing on yeast lees in bottle gives complexity to both the aroma and palate. Citrus and yeast aromas create a unique pétillant naturel wine. As always, our sparkling wines are made only from the best free run juice to ensure there are phenolic bitterness or astringent characters. Try it with seafood. This wine is just a little cloudy.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 CHARDONNAY, Blanc de BLANC
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/15

Our new release of a blanc de blanc. This 100% chardonnay cuvée is a perfect apperitif. The cool climate chardonnay fruit (sourced from Tumbarumba) is true to the classic blanc de blanc style. !0% of the wine was oak matured and although not obvious, it does contribute a certain texture to the wine which compliments the yeast autolysis characters. Clean and fresh would be an accurate description of this wine which is one of our best selling sparkling wines.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 Pinot Noir, Blanc de noir
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/15

Our third release of a blanc de noir. It has proven so popular at the cellar door that will need to expand our production of this cuvée in future vintages. The brass or rose gold appearance in indicative of the 100% pinot noir grapes. We love the colour, and it anticipates the aromas of red fruit (raspberries and forest strawberries) which compliment the yeast autolysis characters. While not dark enough to be a rosé, it is a taché, stained style.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY/SEMILLON
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/15

25% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot noir, 25% Sémillon. Cool climate fruit grown in Tumbarumba, combined with Hunter Valley Sémillon. Matured on primay yeast lees for 6 months in addition to 15 months aging in bottle with secondary lees. 10% of the chardonnay component was oak aged which contributes a slight spiciness and extra length. The sémillon gives a lemony citrus aroma which combines with the red fruits from the Pinot noir. A tight, elegant wine perfectly siuted to the zero dosage style we like so much. Very much in the classic style.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY/SEMILLON
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  Demi Sec 22/15

A sweeter style made from Hunter Valley chardonnay.  Demi-sec wines are more popular in France than in Australia.  This addition to our list shows another way to enjoy sparkling wines.  We enjoy the Demi-sec with sweet biscuits and cakes at high tea! Alternatively, try it with a cheese and fruit platter.

Cellar Door Price:
$55 per bottle
$594 per dozen

TABLE WINES

Red Wines

2022 HILLTOPS SHIRAZ                      

This wine exhibits deep black cherry fruit typical of Hilltops grapes from the Freeman vineyard near Young. Matured exclusively in quaity French oak which has a given a slight chocolate complexity. Like all our red wines they will cellar well, but can be enjoyed immediately. Shiraz is a most versatile variety and makes great wines which reflect their growing region. A great contrast to Hunter shiraz wines.

Cellar Door Price:
$40 per bottle
$432 per dozen

2021 COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON                     

An intense cabernet typical of the Coonawarra area.  Made in our traditional manner: open fermentation, hand plunged and oak matured.  A dark and brooding wine with rich, smooth tannins.  Aromas of black fruits are enhanced by a suggestion of regional mint characters.  A very satisfying with a long life ahead.

Cellar Door Price:
$50 per bottle
$540 per dozen

2022 RESERVE COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON             Coming soon   

Our long term customers keep telling us this may be our best red wine ever! Grapes from an old, low yielding vineyard have given wine of great balance and integrity. The quality of the fruit was exceptional in both maturity, taste and chemistry. After an extended maceration, the wine was matured in the very best French oak, both Tronçais and Fontainbleu barrels. Bottled without fining, a wine like this is only possible in exceptional years

Cellar Door Price:
$ 100 per bottle

Rosé WINE

2022 Pinot noir and shiraz                 

A follow-up Rosé. Fruit was sourced from our vineyard in Branxton, planted in 1993 along with Tumbarumba Pinot noir. The fruit was quickly processed in our winery to preserve the delicate fruit characters. After gentle pressing, the wine was cool fermented in stainless steel tanks with Provencal yeast strains to release the classic aromatic potential of the grapes. The finished wine is clean and fresh. The palate is typical of the best rosé wines and has a long persistence.  A delicate, dry, restrained and satisfying style.  The wine is an ideal accompaniment to all white meat dishes. Especially suited to summer lunchtime drinking.

Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen

WHITE WINE

2022 RIESLING                    

A return of an old favourite! Our riesling grapes are sourced in the Hilltops wine growing region near the town of Young in southern NSW. A dry wine with great minerality and intensity of flavour. Riesling shows different aromas when grown in different regions. The aromas are citrus, floral and a hint of white peach. A great white match with any seafood or poultry dish. Gentle handling and pressing has produced a fresh, cleaning palate.

Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen

2023 SAUVIGNON BLANC Coming soon

Gentle pressing and cool fermentation have produced a wine rich in fruit characters. Hilltops fruit has a purity of fruit expression possible only in cool climates. Maturation in older oak has contributed to aroma complexity and texture. Not the usual style of Sauvignon produced in the southern hemisphere.