Spring 2009

After the tumult of vintage 2009, and in time for Spring, we are delighted to release our latest Heathcote and Yarra Valley wines with a fresh new look. Our Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir continue to be a reflection of our Lusatia Park Vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley. High-altitude, a cool-climate, mature vineyards and deep volcanic soils produce elegant expressions of these classic grape varieties.

Our 2009 Yarra Valley Sauvignon Blanc maintains its more restrained and less overtly tropical style. This very cool Upper Yarra hallmark Sauvignon Blanc has citrus zest, herbaceousness and lovely minerality. Barrel fermentation in older oak with natural yeasts add texture to the wine.

Our 2009 Rosé is made from old vine Pinot Noir grown expressly for this purpose. Made like a white wine; the skins are removed immediately to create a delicate, aromatic style of palest pink rosé. Whole bunch pressing and traditional barrel fermentation give extra character to this delicious, dry and savoury, almost Euro style of wine.

Our 2008 Yarra Valley Chardonnay evolves further on its path of purity and elegance. Meticulous viticulture, earlier harvesting, natural yeasts and barrel fermentation with no new oak all work to preserve the fine fruit characters and express the unique Lusatia Park site.

Our 2008 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir has lifted aromatics, hallmarks of the much sought after Upper Yarra Valley Pinot Noir. Very low yields, tiny berries and 25 year old MV6 vines have given us excellent concentration, red fruits and spice.

The granite soils of our Merindoc Vineyard in southern Heathcote (on the sweeping northern slopes of the Macedon Ranges) give rise to our aromatic and minerally whites: Riesling and Viognier. Despite the heat and drought of Summer 2008/2009, the site prevailed.

Our 2009 Heathcote Viognier has elegant almond blossom, stone-fruit and citrus aromatics. Texture and mouth-feel arise from granite soils, barrel fermentation and natural yeasts rather than overt oiliness or overripe characters.

Our 2009 Heathcote Riesling is a product of the cool nights and warm days of southern Heathcote, along with the incomparable affinity of Riesling and granite. Intense floral, citrus and musk characters are supported by a fruit-driven palate. This limited production wine is now distributed direct from the cellar door.

The perfect place to sample these new releases is at one of our upcoming events, see the attached calendar for full details. The highlights of October are our two flagship events of the year – the Wine and Food Festival in Heathcote, and Shedfest at Lusatia Park in the Yarra Valley. We look forward to welcoming you there.

GRANITE WINE CLUB
Our Cambrian members may have heard about our Granite Wine Club and be interested in learning more about its benefits. In brief, the Granite Club is the simplest way to sample wines from across our range, selected for you, and delivered to your door. The offer is simple:
• The wine selection includes pre-releases and museum releases across the entire Shelmerdine, Merindoc and PHI range
• The offer is tailored to each season, and optimum drinking times
• 4 quarterly shipments of wine, freight free
• The cost is $700, or $175 per quarter
• The wine provided is valued at over $900
• Receive 15% off all other purchases
• If you sign up in September, we’ll also offer you a complimentary lunch for 2 at cellar door (2 courses and a glass of Shelmerdine wine)
• Several other offers along the way.... This year our Granite Members were offered tickets to events including Fed Square, the Good Food and Wine Show, Put Victorian on Your Table, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and others…
• Please contact cellar door to sign up or for further information.

If you can’t make it up the Northern Highway to visit us as often as you like, there are many ways to stay informed of Shelmerdine happenings. If you would prefer to receive this seasonal news by email, or have any changes to your contact details, please contact us at info@shelmerdine.com.au or phone 03 5433 5188.

You can also now follow us on Twitter! We occasionally keep you up to date with events and happenings in the vineyard and cellar door. It’s also good to hear what others are saying about us. Recent posts during our event at North Sydney Cellars appeared as below.

Shelmerdine tasting happening right now. Whites (sauvignon, viognier and chardonnay) are delicious and delicate...7:14 PM Aug 19th ...but Shelmerdine's '09 pinot Rose has just gone 'round and it's brilliant. Pale coloured, delicate, dry but not acidic, and has a long... 7:16 PM Aug 19th ...creamy finish. Absolutely stunning.7:16 PM Aug 19th '08 Shelmerdine pinot noir being passed around now: sappy, juicy red cherry flavour, should flesh out nicely.7:21 PM Aug 19th And '06 Shelmerdine shiraz: spicy, red and black fruit, hint of charcuterie, developing very nicely. Slowly, too, under screwcap.7:22 PM Aug 19th And Shelmerdine Merindoc Vineyard Shiraz '06 the last wine to be poured: savoury, spicy, textured, a thoroughly interesting+enticing shiraz.7:34 PM Aug 19th Stephen Shelmerdine also poured some '05 cab and shiraz from magnum at dinner afterwards- looking very good indeed.8:53 AM Aug 20th from web in reply to getbiglittlekid

Order any 2 dozen Shelmerdine wines during Spring and receive a complimentary Gift-boxed Magnum of Shelmerdine Heathcote Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz (valued at $130). We’ll also send your order freight free!

What a great way to sample the new releases.