News
News
Vintage 2010
The 2009/2010 year (weather-wise) was relatively mild compared with previous years – not such prolonged periods of extreme heat, a relatively calm Spring with some rain during flowering (which adversely affected the fruit set), an early start to vintage (with some of our Chardonnay grapes being picked by hand for sparkling wine on 16 February), and harvest finishing (so we thought) on 6th April when the bulk of our merlot was picked. But, Surprise! Surprise! We were delighted that a top winery picked the bulk of our remaining chardonnay for botrytis wine in the last week of April. What was vintage like? Yields were down on all varieties – that will be a plus for quality wines. We will, though, have to wait a year or so before passing final judgment. There has been a lot of media comment about grape prices and the so-called grape 'glut' and the bargains consumers may be able to pick up. There is no doubt that grape prices paid to growers have hit an all-time low and that will mean some lower wine prices for consumers but while many boutique wineries have shaved their margins, it does cost them more to produce a bottle of wine than it does for the big fellas. There is a unique quality to many boutique wines so to ensure that there is plenty of continuing quality and unique variety, consider maintaining support for the small wineries.
Special End of Financial Year Bonus Rebate
In the current economic scene, the end of this financial year may bring a sigh of relief. Whatever the position, we thought we should offer some bonus rebates on purchases of our wines to cheer up all our supporters.
Here it is ½ case = $10 off 1 case = $25 off 2 cases = $55 off 3 cases = $90 off 4 cases = $130 off
Offer ends 7/07/10. The Griff Shiraz and '09 Chardonnay not included
Bottling
We have just bottled our 2008 shiraz. We are quite excited by the fact that we have, for the first time, a Reserve bottling of 130 cases in addition to our usual Griffin label. We think it will develop well in the bottle so we will consider releasing our 2008 Griffin Shiraz in a few months time. We are confident that will be something really well worth waiting for. In the meantime, we have only a few cases left of the 2004 Gold Medal Shiraz but more of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Shiraz.
New Release
We also recently bottled our 2009 unoaked Chardonnay. It is made from grapes grown on a westerly facing hillside benefitting from cool mornings and afternoon sunshine and sea breezes. Our white Maltese, Hamish , is still the ideal ambassador for our 2009 chardonnay – zesty and full of life. The Chardonnay is large and bold with good mid-palate weight. There are hints of lemon and grapefruit, finishing with a racy acidity. 13% alc/vol. The 2009 Chardonnay is now available at an affordable special price of $89 per dozen to our mailing list members.