Wines infused with personality
15 March 2018
It's been another watershed year with Giaconda stepping further up the quality ladder. This all starts with the improved team here: my son Nathan fast moving into a more assertive role, and our highly capable and qualified Vineyard Manager, Casey White, both enabling me to concentrate more on what I love doing best – fine tuning important aspects of the wine making instead of, for example, carting bins around on the tractor in preparation for picking at 6:30 in the morning!
This year has afforded me the time to directly manage all of our chardonnay ferments in the cave and infuse some different personality in these fledgling wines. Continuing this sentiment, our wines like many of those from other small traditional, natural and organic producers are infused with the personalities of their makers. I believe this extends to the vines themselves. Thus I make sure to work among the vines regularly: they know me, I know them, and this needs to continue.
Another very important aspect here this year has been the formalisation of our organic 'in-conversion organic' status through certification with the Bio Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI). I have been operating this way for some time now and certification has been a goal that was set, for which Nathan and Casey have been able to bring to fruition over the past year in both the winery and vineyard.
Casey notes “Our initial visit from the team at Demeter Australia involved inspecting the vineyard soils to assess the levels of organic rich humus. They were pleased to find beautiful soils that have tested absolutely free of chemical residues, are rich in humus, and could confidently see the vineyard has been managed with an organic approach for many decades.” Read more >
Nathan adds "We are beginning to hear many other wineries speak about 'operating organically' and 'natural' wine making. From a consumer point of view this terminology can often be vague and misleading and therefore it's important to be genuine in this regard. For us that was undertaking the process of formal certification and continuing to build on the organic practices Rick has already put in place."
Regarding our progress with shiraz, don't miss the 2016 Estate Vineyard Shiraz as this wine is showing huge improvement each year through refined vineyard and soil management. This is certainly the richest red wine I've made, with great tannin structure that is well integrated with a long finish. Planted in 2002, these vines are finally hitting their straps!
View wine release details >
Sincerely,
Rick Kinzbrunner and team
Vinous Top 100 Wines of the Year - 2024
12 November 2024During the weeks of November 11th and 18th, we will becounting down Vinous' Top 100 Wines of the Year.
We will complete the Top 100 Wines of the Year countdownwith the #1 wine tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20th.
#1: 2021 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
#2: 2022 Giaconda Chardonnay Estate Vineyard -
The compact and intense Giaconda 2022 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard jumps out of the glass incredibly intense, focused and energetic. It envelops the senses with aromas of nectarine and musky peach skin, and a decadent yet balanced influence of French oak with a strong edge of flint. A fabulous, almost chewy texture combines with a bolt of mouth-watering acidity sitting underneath, before tightening up to an exceptionally lengthy finish. This is a step up on the fabulous 2021. 100 Points.
- By Angus Hughson on September 2024