Processed by hand

Our wines are completely processed by hand. The attention to detail is shown by the delicacy and clarity of the aromas. 

Our range of sparkling wines is made by the authentic Méthode Traditionelle.

By careful pressing in our stainless steel basket press we achieve a softness which allows our wine to enjoyed without the addition of high sugar concentrations at disgorging. Our wines are always sold within two months of disgorging, this ensures the freshness is preserved. 

What, no cork?

The best sparkling wines are delicate and are often damaged by the traditional cork closure.

Sealing our sparkling wines with a crown seal eliminates the problems associated with cork including: 

• le goût de bouchon – the mouldy smell called cork taint.
• le goût de bois – a woody taste.
• le goût de colle - glue taint
• loss of gas pressure

Since 2006 we have eliminated cork from our table wine range as well. We believe that in the same way that consumers have embraced the screwcap on table wines, they will eventually be convinced of the superiority of the crown seal on sparkling wines.

Understanding Our Label

Our cuvée number has letters followed by  a four digit number. The letters indicate the grape varieties, the first two numbers indicates the vintage year. The next two numbers are the number of months the wine spent on lees in the bottle before disgorging.

CURRENT RELEASES

2022 semillon  ZD 22/22

Sémillon is not one of varieties authorised in Champagne. However, it makes the best white wines in the Hunter Valley. Our fruit was grown on Hermitage Road by Ken Bray. Ken is well known for his premium Sémillon grapes. A minimum of 22 months maturing on yeast lees in bottle gives complexity to both the aroma and palate. Citrus and yeast aromas create a unique wine. As always, our sparkling wines are made only from the best free run juice to ensure there are phenolic bitterness or astringent characters. Try it with seafood.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 CHARDONNAY, Blanc de BLANC
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/22

Our new release of a blanc de blanc. This 100% chardonnay cuvée is a perfect apperitif. The cool climate chardonnay fruit (sourced from Tumbarumba) is true to the classic blanc de blanc style. !0% of the wine was oak matured and although not obvious, it does contribute a certain texture to the wine which compliments the yeast autolysis characters. Clean and fresh would be an accurate description of this wine which is one of our best selling sparkling wines.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 Pinot Noir, Blanc de noir
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/22

Our third release of a blanc de noir. It has proven so popular at the cellar door that will need to expand our production of this cuvée in future vintages. The brass or rose gold appearance in indicative of the 100% pinot noir grapes. We love the colour, and it anticipates the aromas of red fruit (raspberries and forest strawberries) which compliment the yeast autolysis characters. While not dark enough to be a rosé, it is a taché, stained style.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY/SEMILLON
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  ZD 22/22

25% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot noir, 25% Sémillon. Cool climate fruit grown in Tumbarumba, combined with Hunter Valley Sémillon. Matured on primay yeast lees for 6 months in addition to 15 months aging in bottle with secondary lees. 10% of the chardonnay component was oak aged which contributes a slight spiciness and extra length. The sémillon gives a lemony citrus aroma which combines with the red fruits from the Pinot noir. A tight, elegant wine perfectly siuted to the zero dosage style we like so much. Very much in the classic style.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

 2022 ROSE
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  5g/L 22/22

A traditional style rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the cool climate of Tumbarumba, on the western side of the Snowy Mountains. In line with French tradition the rosé is very slightly sweeter than the ZD wines. An enhanced red berry character is the defining aroma compared with the blanc de noir Pinot Noir.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

2022 PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY/SEMILLON
MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE  Demi Sec 22/22

A sweeter style made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sémillon grapes.  Demi-sec wines are more popular in France than in Australia.  This addition to our list shows another way to enjoy sparkling wines.  We enjoy the Demi-sec with sweet biscuits and cakes at high tea! Alternatively, try it with a cheese and fruit platter.

Cellar Door Price:
$60 per bottle
$648 per dozen

TABLE WINES

Red Wines

2024 “JOVEN” TEMPRANILLO                      

Our first Tempranillo and also our first red wine in the young or Joven style. The style is a full flavoured red wine which is lower in tannin and fruit driven. Because of the lower tannin level, this is a wine which is ready for consumption earlier than the traditional Tempranillo. A perfect wine for our Australian summers and can be chilled for our hot days. Recommended for any Mediterranean cuisine and charcuterie. Since its release it has quickly become our top selling red wine!

Cellar Door Price:
$40 per bottle
$432 per dozen

2022 HILLTOPS SHIRAZ                      

This wine exhibits deep black cherry fruit typical of Hilltops grapes from the Freeman vineyard near Young. Matured exclusively in quaity French oak which has a given a slight chocolate complexity. Like all our red wines they will cellar well, but can be enjoyed immediately. Shiraz is a most versatile variety and makes great wines which reflect their growing region. A great contrast to Hunter shiraz wines.

Cellar Door Price:
$40 per bottle
$432 per dozen

2022 COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON                     

An intense cabernet typical of the Coonawarra area.  Made in our traditional manner: open fermentation, hand plunged and French oak matured.  A dark and brooding wine with rich, persistant tannins.  Aromas of black fruits are enhanced by a suggestion of regional mint characters.  A very satisfying with a long life ahead.

Cellar Door Price:
$50 per bottle
$540 per dozen

2022 RESERVE COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON               

Our long term customers keep telling us this may be our best red wine ever! Grapes from an old, low yielding vineyard have given wine of great balance and integrity. The quality of the fruit was exceptional in both maturity, taste and chemistry. After an extended maceration, the wine was matured in the very best French oak, both Tronçais and Fontainbleu barrels. Bottled without fining, a wine like this is only possible in exceptional years.

Cellar Door Price:
$100 per bottle

2022 COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON / HILLTOPS MERLOT                     

A classic combination of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Hilltops Merlot. The wine shows dominant Cabernet characters made more mellow by the addition of 24% Hilltops Merlot. The Merlot contributes to the rich mouthfeel as well. When consumed young, it is certainly a more approachable red wine than the pure Cabernet Sauvignon. The dark berry aromas of both varieties combine seamlessly. Despite its rich, easy drinking style, we expect this wine can age gracefully for many years and gain complexity just like its French prototypes from Bordeaux.

Cellar Door Price:
$50 per bottle
$540 per dozen

2022 HILLTOPS MERLOT                     

An special wine made from super-ripe Merlot grapes grown in the Hilltops cool climate in southern NSW! A gamble has paid off. The grapes were left to ripen to high sugar and flavour concentration which runs the risk of fungal infection of the berries. Fortunately, the grapes were harvested two weeks later than is usual in pristine condition. The resulting wine is not your usual thin, anemic red wine that Merlot often produces in Australia. A wine which is full of concentrated black fruit aromas and a rich, satisfying ripe tannin structure that demonstrates the smooth palate that is the trademark of great Merlot

Cellar Door Price:
$100 per bottle

FORTIFIED WINE

RATAFIA             

An aperitif made from the juice of our “sparkling” Chardonnay grapes fortified with brandy distilled from earlier vintages of the same grapes. We suspect this is the only Ratafia made in Australia. The brandy and Ratafia have been aged in older French oak barrels. This traditional wine style is rarely seen outside of Champagne itself. Recommended for foie gras, strong cheeses and any chocolate desserts. In summer Ratafia can be enjoyed over ice with some soda water for a refreshing drink. It also makes an excellent base for cocktails. A limited release with a limit of six bottles per customer.

500mL bottles and 18% alcohol.

Cellar Door Price:
$50 per bottle

WHITE WINE

2022 RIESLING                    

A return of an old favourite! Our riesling grapes are sourced in the Hilltops wine growing region near the town of Young in southern NSW. A dry wine with great minerality and intensity of flavour. Riesling shows different aromas when grown in different regions. The aromas are citrus, floral and a hint of white peach. A great white match with any seafood or poultry dish. Gentle handling and pressing has produced a fresh, cleaning palate.

Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen

2023 SAUVIGNON BLANC

Gentle pressing and cool fermentation have produced a wine rich in fruit characters. Hilltops fruit has a purity of fruit expression possible only in cool climates. Maturation in older oak has contributed to aroma complexity and texture. Not the usual style of Sauvignon produced in the southern hemisphere. The wine shares some of the characters of a French Loire Sauvignon.

 Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen

2024 VERDELHO                

The Hunter Valley has long history of making Verdelho table wines. It is an approachable wine that seems to appeal many wine drinkers. A difficult wine to make well, we strive for a fine balance between alcohol and aroma. The tropical aromas combine with citrus notes with just a hint of residual sweetness. A versatile wine capable of matching any white meat or vegetable dishes. Many customers love it consumed quite cool with spicy meals.

Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen

2024 FIANO                

A follow up to our first attempt at this intriguing southern Italian variety. A portion of the wine sees oak maturation on yeast lees to enhance the mouth-feel and add aromatic complexity. A great match for any Mediterranean cuisine. A crisp but not overly acidic palate shows lemon pith and orange zest with a little nuttiness. Can be enjoyed with or without food.

Cellar Door Price:
$30 per bottle
$324 per dozen