Winemakers Reserve Viognier, 2019

Fresh and lifted aromas of peach are complemented by floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. Flavours intensify on the palate with soft fleshy mandarin and marmalade fruit. The lovely finish with hints of apple and spice.

Meet the maker: Berton Vineyard

Region: Riverina, South Eastern Australia – Australia

Grape(s): Viognier (100%)

13.5% ABV / 750ml

Viticulture:

The grapes come from Riverina vineyards surrounding the townships of Griffith and Yenda.

The vines are grown in a warm continental climate with mostly dry ripening periods, which provide excellent conditions for grape cultivation.

Deep, fertile loam soils provide a great base for healthy vines and grapes with abundance of flavour.

Efficient irrigation methods supply water from the Murrumbidgee River in gravity fed channel systems.

The Viognier blocks are set up on a double wire trellis, allowing good air

penetration and bunch distribution, whilst providing protection from sunburn. This system also allows good machinery and manual access during pruning, spraying and harvest.

Winemaking:

As ripeness was achieved the grapes were harvested in the cool of the night to retain freshness and minimise oxidation.

The fruit was crushed, destemmed and chilled to the bag presses.

After a gentle pressing the juice was clarified before a slow fermentation at cool temperatures of 14-16°C using a carefully selected yeast to optimise lush, varietal flavours.

The wine then underwent 6-8 week maturation on yeast lees which built mid palate weight and optimised the expression of soft creamy notes.

The Viognier was then blended, filtered and bottled.