The Pinot Grigio grape variety is widely grown in France and Italy. Its name is derived from the belief that it is a mutation of Pinot Noir and Grigio is grey in Italian, referring to the colour of the berries. In France it is Gris as this is grey in French! Our Pinot Grigio is grown in the Hunter Valley, Broke, on Wonnarua Country by Greenway Wines and is made in a style that is refreshing and zesty. I believe that this is the style that better reflects its terroir. Harvesting it earlier on in the growing season, it retains its citrus character and natural acidity. Enjoy!
Fiano is an ancient Italian white grape variety that originates in the Campania region of Italy. It produces big loose bunches that are relatively heat tolerant. The wines usually display citrus and tropical fruits with a floral lift.
Our 2024 Fiano was grown in the Hilltops, NSW by Meegan and Roger Clark. The Hilltops region is renown for its cooler climate with an altitude around 500m.
This wine marks a very special moment in Vales Wines as it was made by Eva and Edgar followed by its bottling that was completed by the whole family Alexandra, Claudia, Edgar and Eva.
Upon receival, the grapes were gently pressed using a basket press and the juice was fermented in a stainless-steel tank and transferred to two 5-year old French barrels and aged for six months. Prior to bottling the wine was lightly fined using a vegan fining agent and filtered.
The resulting wine displays aromas of citrus and honeysuckle. The palate is refreshing, and citrus flavours are complemented by some texture, making it a perfect partner to seafood dishes.
Our Muscat de Hambourg is grown by Kawal Rock Distillery at their vineyard in Broke, also on Wonnarua Country. The vineyard was planted by Hunter Valley Legend John Tulloch over 60 years ago. The exceptional quality of the fruit allowed us to produce a white wine with lifted floral aromas of rose water and musk. These aromas are replicated and enhanced by some fruit sweetness on the palate, together with zesty citrus flavours. It finishes rounded and fresh.
Also, as is traditional, we have fortified some of this Muscat. At this stage it is aging in an oak barrel and hopefully the wine angels will not drink too much of it but will help concentrate the nectar. We estimate the aging process to last for quite some years.
The Chardonnay grapes used in our 2024 vintage were grown by Billy Mitchell at the Wandoo Vineyard in Orange. Billy is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia reflecting the use of sustainable grape growing practices in his vineyards.
The cooler region of Orange is renown for the production of cool climate grapes that produce elegant wines that display vibrancy and fruit flavours.
Vales Wines Chardonnay was whole bunch pressed with a portion being transferred to a new French oak barrel where it fermented without the addition of yeast, the reminder was tank fermented in stainless steel.
After seven months in oak and tank, both portions were blended and the resulting wine has aromas of peach, fig and citrus. The palate has a lightness and elegance with savoury, peachy and faint flint flavours that are supported by a subtle and integrated oak sweetness.
Viognier has its origins in the Rhone Valley of France where it creates white wines that are fragrant and full-bodied. Our 2024 Viognier was grown in Broke in the Hunter Valley. It was harvested at what we at Vales perceive optimum ripeness, it was destemmed and pressed with one half being fermented in new French oak barrels and the other half in tank. The tank portion expressed a fruit purity and an assertive acidity, whereas the barrel ferment resulted in a wine that has a texture, complexity and flintiness due to the wild ferment.
The blending of both portions is displaying a lifted aroma of apricot and jasmine like florals which is replicated in the palate and complimented by a texture and oak sweetness that finishes long, crisp yet light. A perfect partner to Chicken Apricot (1980’s!) or a Mediterranean pulse salad. Bon Appetit.
The native home of Rondinella is the Veneto region of Italy, where it is mostly used together with Corvina to make a rich red wine called Amarone. Our Rosé was made from Rondinella grapes grown in the Hilltops region of NSW by Dr Brian Freeman.
We crafted a rosé that displays an attractive salmon colour. The flavours are reminiscent of spice with savoury notes and the palate is textured yet light and moreish.
Tempranillo is a grape variety that may have its origins in Rioja, Spain and widely grown in Portugal. Without wanting to introduce some parochial sentiment between Portugal and Spain, let’s say it has Iberian origins!
Our 2023 Tempranillo has its origins in the King Valley, Victoria. And it was fermented with gentle plunging of the cap which resulted in wine displaying subtle aromas of cherry, spice and sweet oak. On the palate it has flavours of cherry, spice and enticing mixed berry. The oak is integrated with the fruit and provides support to the fine and soft tannins.
Shiraz is thought to be a cross between Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, two grape varieties from Southwest France, another potential source suggests that it may have its origins in present day Iran, namely the city of Shiraz.... you decide!
Our 2021 shiraz was grown at the Clarke Vineyard, McLaren Vale SA. It displays beautiful aromas of red and dark fruits, that are replicated on the palate. Together with hints of dark chocolate and lingering soft silky tannins. It finishes long and fresh. Cheers!
The 2022 Old Flat vineyard shiraz has its origins in the centenarian Old Flat Vineyard, Hunter Valley, under the custodianship of Greg Drayton. This historic vineyard was first planted in the late 1900’s by Greg’s family and it is dry grown (no irrigation) allowing the vines to develop deep roots to acquire the necessary water and other nutrients required for growth.
The wine is displaying a vibrant purple colour with aromas of dark fruits and cherry, these are replicated on the savoury palate that is complemented by subtle charred oak flavour. It finishes subtly and long. I would recommend a Beef ragout or a favourite of mine, Osso Bucco.
Our 2022 Hunter Valley Mclaren Vale shiraz is a multi-regional shiraz blend with 90% Hunter, NSW from the old flat vineyard and 10% from McLaren Vale, Blewitt Springs, SA.
This shiraz has a vivacious purple colour with aromas of red and blue fruits. On the palate flavours of red, blue fruit are complemented by subtle flavours of confectionary, chocolate and spice. It finishes with soft lingering tannins.