SVC Releases October 2026
INTRODUCING…
2025 Forest Edge Vineyard Chardonnay, Orange NSW
Tasting Notes
A very attractive colour of pale yellow/green. Stylistically finer and more restrained than the Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay. This wine has lifted grapefruit and ripe white nectarine aromas with complimentary French oak notes. The palate, while complex, has a ‘lightness’ and perfect balance of cashew fruit, oak and citrus with a subtle creaminess from the malolactic fermentation. A wine that will build over the medium term.
Winemakers Comments
The Orange district is widely recognised as one of Australia’s premium cool climate regions. Rob Crawford established the ‘Forest Edge’ Vineyard in 1988. Vintage 2025 is Brokenwood’s 22nd year of handling fruit from the Forest Edge Vineyard.
The season started with a relatively mild winter and a full moisture profile, which gave the vines a fantastic start. There was a significant amount of rain over summer which increased both disease pressure and grower stress dramatically. Thankfully, the weather cleared in mid-February which allowed the vines to dry out. Picking commenced on the 8th of March under clear skies. A welcome return as Brokenwood did not release any Forest Edge wines from 2023 or 2024 due to two challenging seasons.
Vinification
Whole bunch pressing, wild ferments in new French oak have come together in spectacular fashion. The wine was fermented in 37% new French oak and the balance older, from a variety of cooperages.
2024 Verona Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley NSW
Tasting Notes
A lovely mid-density colour with purple hues. Classic Hunter Valley bramble berry fruit and savoury notes on the nose. The ripe berry fruit carries onto the palate, with the natural fruit acid and fine, ripe tannin providing great length. Some liquorice notes to finish. A classic medium weight Hunter Valley Shiraz that will age gracefully over the medium term.
Winemakers Comments
This is the 10th bottling of Verona as a Single Vineyard wine. The Verona Vineyard is across the road from our Graveyard Vineyard and has been under Brokenwood’s care for the past 19years. First planted in 1968 on a gentle south-facing slope, with subsequent plantings in 2002, the original cuttings are from old vineyards in the region.
2023 was a much drier year than the previous three across Eastern Australia. Throughout the Hunter, yields across all varieties were lower than average. The preceding three wet winters (2020, 2021, 2022) and a historically dry 2023 winter all took their toll on vine health and yield. Coming into 2024, fruit condition and canopy was excellent, though tracking 14-21 days earlier than the previous year due to a lighter crop. Early January was incredibly hot and humid. We commenced picking Verona on the 30th January, under warm, clear skies.
Vinification
Processing started with a 3-4 day cold soak and then a 4-5 day ferment at 24-26C. The vineyard is on heavy clay, similar to the Graveyard Vineyard but the southerly aspect gives a more floral character. The oak regime for this wine is 100% French oak puncheons, with only 8% new, the balance being one and two-years old.
