In 2017, an excellent vintage for Shiraz, we were offered a small parcel of fruit from one of the Hunter’s most historic vineyards – namely Black Cluster, the jewel in the original Wyndham crown. We have decided to make this special offer to help our local fire brigade and provide our loyal customers a unique, once-only wine at a bargain price. See below for more details.
The 2020 vintage has not been without challenges. From the lingering drought that pushed water reserves, to a promising early summer giving us great hope for the coming vintage, to the bushfires that have ravaged much of NSW, 2020 will live long in the memory for a number of reasons.
We have ultimately made the painful decision not to harvest any of our grapes from the 2020 vintage.
Early in the new year we had tests done on the grapes at Glenguin that showed exposure to smoke at very high levels. We pride ourselves on crafting wines with knowledge and passion, that speak of their place and are enjoyable to drink. We want our wines to be enjoyed and cellared and believe that smoke-tainted wines will not match with our philosophy.
We would like to reassure customers and friends that we have plenty of wines from older vintages and are comfortable that we will be able to absorb any gap in production. Our cellar door is open, and the best way our customers can support us is to pay us a visit or simply purchase some wine.
Smoke taint may have cost us this vintage, but the tireless efforts of the RFS, through backburning along the stretch of Milbrodale Road between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, ensured that the vineyard and the estate remained intact. We are forever grateful for their efforts.
Backburning operations along Milbrodale Road between December 26 and 30, 2019
As a measure of our appreciation, we will donate $30 from every 6-pack (or $60 per case) of 2017 Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz sold to the Broke Rural Fire Brigade.
2017 Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz
This savoury shiraz from one of the Hunter Valley’s most historic vineyards (planted 1968) was recently awarded 92 points in the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion. Click here for more details and to purchase.
