An extended 2017 vintage comes to an end at Sirromet

THURSDAY 8th JUNE 2017: Sirromet Wines began its 2017 vintage mid-January, bringing in 9 tonnes of Chambourcin fruit from its Mount Cotton Vineyard. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit from their Granite Belt vineyards followed soon after, which will be used for their premium sparkling bases, along with their white varietals of Pinot Gris and Verdelho. Harvest concluded with their Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit early May bringing in a total of 525 tonnes of fruit for the 2017 vintage. “This year has seen exceptionally good quality of white fruit, in particular Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, each exhibiting a good level of acidity, flavours and regional characteristics” said Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman. “This was a particularly long vintage due to a cool Spring with good water and nutrient retention, as well as an early Summer which was cooler compared to previous Summers. From February until late March the heat was a bit of an issue coastally, but luckily with our elevation change of 820m at our vineyards, it means an average drop in temperature of approx 6 to 8oC from Brisbane daily temperatures”   With such high-quality Chardonnay fruit harvested, Adam plans to produce several barrel trials and sparkling blend trials including a super-premium sparkling to be released in coming years. “The fine structure of the early picked Chardonnay bases showing really good naturally high acidities, and very tight green apple and lemon pith fruit flavours are ideal for creating premium sparkling” said Adam.   Other white varietals harvested included Verdelho, Pinot Gris and Viognier, “all showing lovely freshness, good textural mouthfeel, and good varietal flavours across the board” said Adam. Some of these wines also saw wild fermentation, of which is a sign of good fruit and a mixture of stainless steel tank fermentation and also oak barrel fermentation.   Moving on to the reds, “we managed to get the Pinot Noir off for the sparkling, and most of the Shiraz and Merlot during the heat period, before any vine stress or leaf loss. Flavours and colours were solid, showing good wine definition with different elevation and soil composition showing through on the final wines” said Adam.   Then came 6 tonnes of the Italian varietal Nebbiolo with plans for a private blend Nebbiolo (currently in barrel for 16 months) and Vineyard Selection Rose to be released in Spring. Lastly the Cabernet Sauvignon, unfortunately the vines suffered everything mother nature had this year, coolness, light rain, excessive heat, cyclonic rain and a lowpressure system. “Despite all of this, the vines delivered good fruit.” said Adam.   “It still does amaze me that having spent 18 years here at Sirromet, mother nature always finds another way to have a different season thrown at me and to test our skill and passion in more ways than one” said Adam. Varieties being harvested from Sirromet's three vineyards located in Ballandean, within the Granite Belt wine region are: SEVEN SCENES, BALLANDEAN (52-ha): Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot ST JUDE'S, BALLANDEAN (25-ha): Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Nebbiolo, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon NIGHT SKY, BALLANDEAN (23-ha): Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Viognier   Sirromet has 97 wine tanks on-site at Mount Cotton with a total capacity of 2.16-million litres. The largest tanks hold 120,000-litres each. Sirromet has won a total of 891 international and national wine awards since opening in 2000. The winery is owned and was founded by Gold Coast businessman Terry Morris. In addition to the vineyards, Sirromet's winery headquarters at Mount Cotton includes production, bottling, and packaging facilities, Restaurant Lurleen's, Tuscan Terrace, Cellar Door, function facilities, administration center, worm farm and waste recycling plant. SIRROMET WINES: 850 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, Queensland 4165. Tel: (07) 3206-2999. Fax: (07) 3206-0900. E-mail: wines@sirromet.com Web: http://www.sirromet.com MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Theresa Matthews - Tel: (07) 3822 0648. E-mail: theresa@sirromet.com