Description
The Smiths Vineyard was planted in 1978 at an elevation of 550 metres above sea level at the cross-over between the two soil types that define the Beechworth region; the shaley red Ordovician soil and the granitic soil.
The vineyard has a gentle easterly aspect with the back half of the block more south facing. Grapes were hand picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (39% first use) without clarification or racking for non-temperature controlled fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was not encouraged so as to preserve freshness and natural acidity. The wine was rested on it lees for 10 months prior to bottling.
2019 harvest date: 22nd February
Bottled: 3rd February 2020