Viñas Riojanas

Famatina Valley, Argentina

Moss Wood

Margaret River, Western Australia

One of Western Australia’s most famous and beautiful wine estates situated in Margaret River. Established in 1969 and now run by Keith and Clare Mugford, their Cabernet Sauvignon has become iconic and recently been classified by Langtons as ‘exceptional’; only one of four Australian Cabernets to have this acclaimed title. With a total of 18 hectares under vine, the flagship Cabernet originates from a five hectare site in Willyabrup with gravel soils so beloved by this grape. Keith acquired the Ribbon Vale Vineyard in 2002 and has incorporated these wines under the Moss Wood label. Grapes are also sourced from the cooler, inland Pemberton region.

Picardy

Pemberton, Western Australia

Founded in 1993 by Bill Pannell; a lover of Burgundy who was educated in winemaking in this historic French region. Bill was the original owner of Moss Wood and after selling this vineyard he searched for land that suited two of his favourite grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pemberton is ideal for growing Burgundian grape varietals with a cool climate that gives the grapes a sustained ripening period and allows Bill to maximise the flavours in his wines. A hands-on care philosophy means that vines are pruned by hand and this assiduous attitude is continued in the winery. Only Picardy’s own grapes are used in the creation and bottling of these wines, stamping the family’s hallmark style onto every bottle.

Thomson Vintners

Riverland, South Australia

Although the establishment for Thompson Vintners is shown as 1996, the family has been growing grapes in the area for 75 years. The estate itself dates back to 1961 when Ronald Thompson began a grape growing business, the first of the Cabernet Sauvignon cultivators of the region. The estate grew over the next 35 years with the grapes purchased by big brand vineyards. The exceptionally high quality fruit from these old vines persuaded the family to start producing their own wines from some of the best plots. The age and quality of the vines allows the winery to produce wines with outstanding intensity of fruit which complements their particular winemaking style. The head of the winery team at Thompson, Ben Glaetzer, implements processes that preserve the superiority of the fruit flavours yielded. The use of oak is always restrained and well judged. Whilst unmistakably Australian in style, the care taken during winemaking means the wines have more elegance and balance than many Riverland offerings. These wines still retain the glorious 'drinkability' that resonates throughout South Australia.

Domaine Jean Sipp

Alsace, France

Steeped in history; the Kirchberg and Osterberg lands that form part of Domaine Jean Sipp were mentioned in the writings of the historian Barth for their exceptional quality and there are references to the Sipp family in this area of Alsace since 1654. It was however, in the 1950s that a dynamic winemaking business began operating at this former seigneurial residence in the heart of Ribeauvillé. Jean-Jacques Sipp, winegrower here since 1973 is assured of another 'Jean' successor in the form of his son, Jean-Guillaume who began working with his father after completing his training and work-experience with numerous celebrated winegrowers from France, Chile, Argentina and South Africa. The quality and diversity of these wines coupled with Jean-Jacques' philosophy of respecting the grape and using organic methods are immediately evident.

Domaine de la Conceirgerie, Christian Adine

Chablis, Burgundy, France

The Adine family have tended vines in the village of Courgis, just south of Chablis, for generations. The 17 hectares of Chardonnay vines were planted by Christian’s father and grandfather and are on average 30 years old with some now well over 50. Christian’s meticulous attention to detail produces classically crisp, steely Chablis, a testament to the dedication (often spending the night in the winery to keep an eye on his vats) and effort invested into making the wines.

Georges Vesselle

Champagne, France

A family affair; Vesselles have cultivated the land in Bouzy (one of only 17 Champagne villages granted the accolade Grand Cru) since the 16th Century and have owned parts of the current vineyard for the past three generations. Georges developed his interest in Champagne whilst working on the Mumm vineyards over 50 years ago, but his heart belonged to Bouzy and he returned to his family home in 1991 with a deeper expertise. One time Mayor of Bouzy and master of 17 hectares of celebrated vineyard, Georges conquered his two great passions over the years. His sons Eric and Bruno share business and production duties but the three men still decide ‘en collaboration’ the blends for the various cuvées.

Domaine de Marcé

Touraine, Loire, France

Six generations of winemakers have produced outstanding Touraine wines on the 20 year old vines on the 25 hectares of Domaine de Marcé. The grapes are vinified at low temperatures in tanks that are made exclusively for preserving and enhancing the intensity of flavour. The last vintage of Sauvignon from this domaine was extolled by Jancis Robinson as ‘another really racy Sauvignon de Touraine… This one has good texture and is very direct and aromatic’ July 2007.

Domaine des Baumard

Loire, France

Situated at the northern end of the Coteaux-du-Layon, this family-run estate has won high acclaim for the production of some of the Loire’s greatest wines. Originally established in 1634, the current Baumard family acquired the domaine in 1959 and have brought the business back from the nursery aspect of viticulture to its roots in superb wine-making. This renaissance was instigated by the academic expertise of Jean Baumard; a graduate in oenology from Universities in Dijon and Bordeaux.

With the acquisition of a large parcel in the illustrious Quarts de Chaume vineyard in 1957 and 15 hectares from Savennières in 1968, Domaine des Baumard re-established its reputation in the Loire. Jean Baumard relinquished control of the vineyard in the early 1990s to his son, Florent who maintains the same levels of precision pioneered by his father. Florent himself has introduced organically inspired methods that ensure the quality of the wine is never jeopardised.

Veronique Günther-Chéreau

Loire, France

The Château de Coing is one of three estates owned by Véronique Günther-Chéreau – daughter of Bernard Chéreau, a pioneer of low yield, high quality Muscadet in the 1950s. The vineyard lies at the junction of three main regions; Anjou, Bretagne and Vendée. Lying at the foot of the Massif Armoricain, the vineyard has a southern exposure with schist soil that contributes to truly individual wines. Véronique combines her family led traditions and personal enthusiasm to produce wines of blockbuster quality.

Domaine Pastou

Sancerre, Loire, France

The picturesque vineyards of Domaine Pastou were first vinified back in the 11th Century by the Counts of Sancerre and the Augustine Monks of Saint-Satur. The potential that was noticed then has been developed since by the Pastou family who started their vineyard with only one hectare of land, 45 years ago. Now at 11 hectares the vineyard has been looked after by the second generation of the Pastou family, Jean-Marc for the past 20 years. Great care is taken of the vineyard’s 30 year old vines that produce the racy, pungent Sauvignon Blancs so typical of this region.

Domaine Le Cazal

Minervois, France

Since 1870 the Derroja family have made their mark on this small (18 hectare), classic AOC Minervois estate. The steep rocky landscape at the foot of the Montagne Noire provides a unique microclimate that allows the grapes from their old Carignan, Grenache and Syrah vines a sustained ripening period and blends perfectly with the aroma of the wild garrigue that is so typical of these Mediterranean vineyards. Respect for the land and its natural flavours is of primary importance to Martine and Claude (5th generation vignerons at Le Cazal) and they practice organic viticultural methods and use minimum intervention known as ‘lutte raisonée’.

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf

Pfaltz, Germany

The Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Estate produces world class dry Rieslings from Germany's finest vineyard sites. The Estate was founded in 1597 and is still run by the Bürklin family today. Current owner Bettina Bürklin von Guradze has introduced a strict quality philosophy, low yields and handwork are key. The character of Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Rieslings are determined by the vineyards where they grow, therefore the wines are classified using the Burgundian system. The entry level is the Dr. Bürklin-Wolf dry Riesling, followed by the Ruppertsberger Village Riesling, then come the single vineyard wines from the Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites. To maximize vineyard character and ageing potential all wines are made using biodynamics principles, working with nature and not against it.

Fattoria Casaloste

Chianti, Italy

Husband and wife team, Giovanni and Emilia Battista d’Orsé run this 11 hectare organic estate nestled amongst the Tuscan hills in the heart of Chianti Classico. Giovanni’s passion is to produce sublime Chianti and he has dedicated his life to achieving this aim. The estate adheres to strict organic standards and methods of farming. Casaloste works on the principles of low yields, and continuous monitoring during ripening and harvest as well as in the cellar.

Hunter’s Wines

Marlborough, New Zealand

A small family owned estate, situated in the Wairau River Valley, Marlborough. Jane Hunter OBE is a highly trained viticulturist and together with the talents of Chief Winemaker Gary Duke and eminent Australian oenologist Dr. Tony Jordan, Hunter’s Wines has achieved an enviable reputation for producing some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs. All the vineyards at Hunter’s are certified sustainable, ensuring the methods being used are the safest possible for the environment, protecting the people that work and live within and around the vineyard and ultimately anyone who enjoys the wine. The area produces grapes with a very complex and developed flavour, with intense varietal flavour – a hallmark of the Wairau River Valley. With over 80 gold medals awarded in competitions, both nationally and internationally, the Hunter’s range is of exceptional calibre. Gary Duke is meticulous in his winemaking approach, creating a unique style based on the intense and very pure fruit characteristics typical of the region’s wines. Hunter’s create quality wines that never cease to inspire.

Stoneburn

Marlborough, New Zealand

A very small property, deep in the heart of Marlborough – we are fortunate to have discovered such a jewel of a vineyard. The vines here are planted in an old riverbed with their lower bunches of fruit ripened by the reflection of the sun. By night a warm microclimate is created as the stones discharge their heat. Cultivating the grapes in this manner ensures that the wine produced expresses the terroir of the vineyards and the natural flavours of the grapes. Poor soil quality and low yielding vines create an environment that produces fruit with incredible intensity and flavour.

Mount Edward

Central Otago, New Zealand

As Jancis Robinson has said, Central Otago has ‘almost too much going for it. Great scenery, great lifestyle and now almost freakishly good, if not (yet) great, Pinot Noir’. And it’s the Pinot Noir from Mount Edward that has contributed to this reputation; in just seven years, since the first vintage, the team has earned a cult following for the consistency and quality of their wines. The small, dedicated enterprise based in Gibbston is driven by passion for Pinot Noir and love of the region. Production has been very small until now, around 1500 cases annually, however acquisition of new vineyards and equipment has allowed Mount Edward to increase production and branch out into the production of high quality Riesling.

Diemersdal

Durbanville, South Africa

Heralding from one of the oldest wine regions of the Cape, Diemersdal is proud to have kept winemaking very much a family affair for the past six generations. The winemakers at Diemersdal, the Louw family, took ownership of the estate in 1885 after the death of its original owner, Hendrik Sneewind, and today Diemersdal is planted with 180 hectares of vines that are cared for by the fifth and sixth generations of the family; Tienne (who began work on the land at Diemersdal 33 years ago with his father) and his son Mathys. Together with a new addition to the team, Mari van der Merwe, Mathys saw four gold medals awarded to the Diemersdal wines at the Stellenbosch, Michelangelo Awards in September 2007. And it’s no wonder - the Diemersdal wines perfectly express the terroir of the distinct Durbanville landscape. Diverse soils and slopes provide ideal conditions for the development of quality wines with outstanding varietal expression. The dry land allows the development of concentrated flavours, yet irrigation is kept to a minimum due to the cooling Atlantic breeze.

Marqués de Reinosa

Rioja, Spain

A modern winery with its roots firmly imbedded in the wine history of the area that dates back to the second half of the 19th Century when the Marquis of Reinosa, Don Joquin Garralda, took the land under his wing. This was a crucial period for the development of Rioja and the Marquis was able to draw on the expertise and knowledge of various French winemakers that had settled in the Autol region due to plague. This exchange left its mark, not only on the history of Rioja, but also the techniques and ethos of this vineyard.

The philosophy at Marqués de Reinosa is that wine is a faithful reflection of the land, sun and climate from which it is derived – look after land and the vines and fine wine will follow. The warm, dry Mediterranean climate provides passionate foundations for the carefully monitored winemaking that takes place here. The vines are nurtured and the soil rigorously tested to ensure that the grape’s natural properties are always at an optimum.

Offering the full range of Riojas, from those aged in oak and bottle for over five years to those released without aging, Marqués de Reinosa presents the opportunity to discover the versatility of wines from this region.