Nero d'Avola Heathcote

Description :

Winemaker: Bart van Olphen
GI: Heathcote
Site(s): Estate vineyard at Colbinabbin, northern Heathcote
Label design: Chalmers Nero d'Avola is grown on the special rocky top block of their vineyard; the label image is based on a photograph of the swirling rock surface.
Vineyard notes: East facing sloped site, 210-220m elevation with diverse rocky terrain of ironstone, dolerite, green basalt, shale and quartz. The variety nero d'avola was imported for the first time into Australia by Chalmers in 2000 and planted in Heathcote in 2009 in east-west row orientation at 4545 vines per hectare on unilateral cordon, spur pruned VSP. Farming is sustainable, focused on soil health and balanced vines. Viticulturist is Troy McInnes.
Winemaking: Hand-picked and destemmed as whole berries. Wild ferment in stainless steel, gentle treatment to retain fruitiness. Bottled after 6 months in stainless steel tank. A small amount of sulfur dioxide added pre-ferment, topped up to just 45ppm total SO2 after malolactic fermentation. Unfined, unfiltered, vegan friendly.