SOLD OUT - 2016 CRFT Pinot Noir - The Arranmore Vineyard

The Vineyard               

The Arranmore Vineyard is owned and farmed by Candice & Frewin. Purchased in March 2016, the vineyard has been farmed organically since purchase and was certified 'In-Conversion to Organic' by NASAA in April 2018. Full certification will follow in 2019.

Site location:                       Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills
Map coordinates:               -34.969091, 138.760670
Clones:                                 115
Planted:                               1998
Elevation:                            545 meters
Aspect:                                East facing
Harvest:                               24th March 2016
Tonnes:                                1.99T

Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

The Winemaking               

Hand-made by Candice and Frewin at their small winery in Carey Gully.

Grapes hand-picked & gently destemmed to retain whole berries with 25% whole bunches.

Cold soaked prior to wild fermentation in an open-top tank, then pressed to barrel once dry. Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, 15% new oak.

Lees stirred in barrel for a few months.

Wild fermented, unfined, unfiltered and crafted with minimal additives, all CRFT wines are vegan.

Bottled February 2017, 169 dozen produced.

SOLD OUT - 2015 PINOT NOIR - ARRANMORE VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Arranmore Vineyard is owned and farmed by Candice and Frewin. Purchased in March this year (2016), the vineyard has been converted to organic farming practices.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.969100, 138.760644

Clones: 114 and 115

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 545 meters

Aspect: East facing

Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

Harvest: 25th March 2015

Tonnes: 2.18T

The Winemaking                                  

Hand-picked, gentle destem to retain whole berries with 20% whole bunches, five-day cold soak prior to fermentation in stainless steel.

Gentle hand plunge twice daily, allowing ferment temperature to peak at 30°C, 14 days on skins.

Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 15% new oak, lees stirred in barrel for 2 months.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 15th February 2016 – 166 dozen.

The Wine                                

Our estate-grown Arranmore Pinot Noir, dark and shy to begin, always needs coaxing from the glass. But given time to open, it rewards... liquorice, charred oak, blackberry and mulberry. Sweet and alluring, webbed with fine grainy tannins and a creamy mouthfeel, lingering dark cherries and star anise spice. Dark forest flavours in abundance.

Drinking: Ready to drink upon release. Cellar to 2023, perhaps beyond.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                            

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

92 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

92 points - Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion Magazine

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2015 PINOT NOIR - BUDENBERG VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Budenberg Vineyard is managed and farmed by Mark Whisson and owned by Ian and Rosie Budenberg.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.97274,138.744384

Clones: Majority 114 & 115, 1 row of MV6

Planted: 1995

Elevation: 540 meters

Aspect: East facing

Rows:  19, 37-44, 66-69, 74-76.

Soil: Clay loam and shale with a mix of large pieces ironstone, blue stone and some quartz. An incredibly steep and rocky site.

Harvest: 31st March 2015

Tonnes: 1.86T

The Winemaking                               

Hand-picked, gentle destem to retain whole berries with 20% whole bunches, five-day cold soak prior to fermentation in stainless steel.

Gentle hand plunge twice daily, allowing ferment temperature to peak at 30°C, 14 days on skins.

Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 15% new oak, lees stirred in barrel for 2 months.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 2nd February 2015 – 138 dozen

The Wine                               

Budenberg Pinot Noir, with its exceptionally low yield and tight fist-like bunches, is our most structural Pinot Noir with a core of tight tannins. But also delicate and perfumed, lifted with fresh smashed raspberries on wet slate, a bouquet of lavender, roses and dried bay leaves. Wet earth and iron stone minerality ever present.

Drinking: Ready for drinking now. Cellar to 2025, perhaps beyond.

Alcohol: 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews

95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2015 PINOT NOIR - CHAPEL VALLEY VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Chapel Valley Vineyard is owned and farmed by Sam Virgara.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.974428,138.737142

Pinot Noir Clones: 114 & 115

Planted: 2000

Elevation: 490 meters

Aspect: South facing

Rows:  10 to 14

Soil: Grey sandy loam with a gravel mix, clay subsoil.

Harvest: 26th March 2015

Tonnes: 2.51T

The Winemaking                               

Hand-picked, gently destemmed to retain whole berries with 20% whole bunches, five-day cold soaked prior to fermentation in stainless steel.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, allowing ferment temperature to peak at 30°C, 14 days on skins.

Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 15% new oak, lees stirred in barrel for two months.

Unfined, unfiltered, vegan.

Bottled 15th February 2016 – 168 dozen

The Wine                                 

Leeks grew on this gravelly south-facing slope until Sam Virgara decided to plant what is now one of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley.

The coolness of this south facing site always produces our most textural Pinot Noir, and often the lightest in colour. Orange-peel and spearmint showing again this year, a unique Chapel Valley character we see every year, as well as the abundant fresh blueberries and strawberry. Bright and lively, elegant as always, with a silky textural mouthfeel.

Drinking: Ready to drink now. Cellar to 2025, perhaps beyond.

Alcohol: 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                                 

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

92 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 PINOT NOIR - CHAPEL VALLEY VINEYARD

Reviews                                 
94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

The Wine                                 
Leeks grew on this gravelly south facing slope until Sam Virgara decided to plant one of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley. Lifted cherry, spearmint and citrus, with hints of lavender and forest. The palate wind swept with sandy tannin.
Drinking... Ready to drink upon release or cellar to 2026.
Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

The Winemaking                               
Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 5 day cold soak prior to fermentation.
Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.
Pressed directly to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 20% new oak, lees stirred in oak for 2 months.
Bottled 2nd February 2015. Vegan friendly.

Chapel Valley Vineyard                               
Owned and farmed by Sam Virgara.
Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills
Map coordinates: -34.974428,138.737142
Clones: 114 & 115
Planted: 2000
Elevation: 490 meters
Aspect: South facing
Soil: Dark loam and clay at the top of the slope, going to grey sandy loam towards bottom of the rows, gravel mix, clay subsoil.

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 PINOT NOIR - ARRANMORE VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Arranmore Vineyard is owned and farmed by Candice and Frewin. Purchased in March this year (2016), we are so excited to own this world class vineyard.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.969100, 138.760644

Clones: 114 and 115

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 545 meters

Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

Aspect: East facing

Harvest: 3rd April 2014

Tonnes: 1.86T

The Winemaking                                  

Hand-picked & destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 5 day cold soak prior to fermentation.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.

Pressed direct to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 20% new oak, lees stirred in oak for 2 months.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 2nd February 2015 – 1,686 bottles, 140 doz.

The Wine                                

Home sweet home… our home since 2014. Sweet inviting flavours of pomegranate and mulberry wrapped together with bay leaf, liquorice spice and bramble. Voluptuous and intense with a jelly crystal finish.

Drinking... Ready to drink upon release or cellar to 2026.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                               

93 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

92 points - Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion magazine

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 PINOT NOIR - BUDENBERG VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Budenberg Vineyard is owned by Ian and Rosie Budenberg and farmed by Mark Whisson.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.97274,138.744384

Clones: Majority 114 & 115, 1 row of MV6

Planted: 1995

Elevation: 540 meters

Soil: Clay loam and shale with a mix of large pieces ironstone, blue stone and some quartz. An incredibly steep and rocky site.

Aspect: East facing

Rows:  19, 37-44, 66-69, 74-76.

Harvest: 4th April 2014

Tonnes: 1.12T

The Winemaking                               

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 5 day cold soak prior to fermentation.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.

Pressed directly to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 30% new oak, lees stirred in oak for 2 months.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 2nd February 2015 – 1,110 bottles, 92 doz

The Wine                               

If you could squeeze wine from a stone this is how it would taste. The weighty ironstone yields a slaty mineral palate, with burst of raspberry, rhubarb and blood plum. From the clay soils, warm flavours of cinnamon and blackberries. Close your eyes and sense the forest surrounds.

Drinking... Ready for drinking upon release or cellar to 2025.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                               

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

94 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 PINOT NOIR - BUDENBERG VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Budenberg Vineyard is owned by Ian and Rosie Budenberg and farmed by Mark Whisson.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.97274,138.744384

Clones: Majority 114 & 115, 1 row of MV6

Planted: 1995

Elevation: 540 meters

Soil: Clay loam and shale with a mix of large pieces ironstone, blue stone and some quartz. An incredibly steep and rocky site.

Aspect: East facing

Rows:  19, 37-44, 66-69, 74-76.

Harvest: 20th March 2013

Tonnes: 2.25T

The Winemaking                               

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 5 day cold soak prior to fermentation.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.

Basket pressed directly to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 40% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 1,866 bottles

The Wine                               

The pickers always complain about picking this vineyard and rightly so – this block is steep & it’s a big hill to climb for not many bunches of grapes.

Complex and intriguing, raspberry fruits with Kaffir lime leaf. This masculine Pinot shows well-structured tannins and a solid minerality, you can almost taste the ironstone.

Drinking... Drink now or cellar for 10+ years.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                             

93 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

92 points - Huon Hooke

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 PINOT NOIR - ARRANMORE VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Arranmore Vineyard is owned and farmed by Darren and Tatum Pye.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.969100, 138.760644

Clones: 114 and 115

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 545 meters

Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

Aspect: East facing

Harvest: 19th March 2013

Tonnes: 2.25T

The Winemaking                                  

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 6 day cold soak prior to fermentation.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.

Basket pressed direct to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 40% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 1,842 bottles

The Wine                                

From this cool and unforgiving site comes a wine of generosity, warmth and spice. Perfumed and lifted with violets, dark cherry fruit and savory notes.

A textural swept palate, with concentrated fruit and silky tannins.

Drinking... Drink now or cellar for 10+ years.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Reviews                                                      

95 points - Huon Hooke

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

92+ points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 PINOT NOIR - CHAPEL VALLEY VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Chapel Valley Vineyard is owned and farmed by Sam Virgara.

Site location: Piccadilly Valley – Adelaide Hills

Map coordinates: -34.974428,138.737142

Clones: 114 & 115

Planted: 2000

Elevation: 490 meters

Soil: Dark loam and clay at the top of the slope, going to grey sandy loam towards bottom of the rows, gravel mix, clay subsoil.

Aspect: South facing

Harvest: 14th March 2013

Tonnes: 2.35T

The Winemaking                               

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top fermenter with 20% whole bunches, followed by a 4 day cold soak prior to fermentation.

Gently hand plunged twice daily, with the ferment temperature peaking at 30°C.

Basket pressed directly to oak for 10 months maturation, 100% French, 35% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 2,232 bottles

The Wine                                 

Tucked away on a south facing slope, this cold, sandy block delivers a unique mix of Mulberry, spearmint and orange peel.

The thirst quenching acidity and minerally tannins will keep you craving for more.

Drinking...Drink now or cellar to 2025.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 2,232 bottles

Reviews                                 

95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

94 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Download the technical info.