2023 Indigo Vineyard Shiraz

Along with clonal-selected cuttings, we now have Selection Massale Shiraz. These cuttings were taken from the Graveyard, Rayner and Wade Block 2 vineyards, as well as Seville Estate. We had enough fruit to vinify as separate batches, and each barrel was then tasted to create a final small bottling of our Indigo Vineyard Shiraz. Every wine country and region has an ongoing debate over the pros and cons of selection massale versus clonal selection. The latter produces a vineyard of identical genetic make-up, as opposed to the historic but random nature of grape genetic material in massale. A milder and significantly later-than-average growing season was the dominant factor in Beechworth for vintage 2023. Above-average rainfall throughout 2022 made for another challenging growing season, with vineyard access and disease pressure a constant concern. January was wet, with over 100 mm falling during the month. Despite this, fruit quality was exceptional, with the rain clearing in February and allowing the vineyard to dry off. The fruit was picked on the 4th of April in excellent condition, with perfectly fine, ripe tannins.