We have grown the grapes for this wine in our Odyssey Creek Vineyard at Chapman Hill in the heart of the Whicher Range. Chapman Hill's cool to mild climate provides ideal conditions for great viognier to be grown. The gravelly loam soils and rocky ironstone terrain delivers distinctively varietal viognier that is unique to this area.

The grapes were handpicked and gently pressed at our winery, a few hours later. We encouraged wild yeasts to conduct the fermentation which we maintained at cooler temperatures to preserve the ripe apricot, fragrant musk and ginger flavours characteristice of the variety.

The wine remained on yeast lees for nine months, with 50% being matured in french oak barrels for that time. The wine was filtered and bottled in mid January 2010.

Tasting Notes

The 2009 Viognier is a wine of great intensity and opulence. Aromas of fresh apricot, ginger, musk, white peach and pear, are mixed with powerful lingering flavours of pineapple and marmalade on the palate. The maturation time in barrels and on yeast lees has given the wine extra complexity and a mouth filling, creamy texture. A crisp acidity level, balances a fine elegant tannin structure.

Key Points:

• Intense varietal flavours

• Opulent and rich style, balanced by a crisp acidity