With a history dating back to 1982, Rick Kinzbrunner and now son, Nathan, have surely come close to producing wines that are just as expressive and unique as the grands and premiers crus of Burgundy. The Kinzbrunners are justly hailed as masters of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but they also have an enviable record of producing top Shiraz and Nebbiolo which they tend with attention to minutest detail. Our three featured wines convey the identity and painstaking custodianship of the sites that they were grown in.
This month we are featuring wines from three of these sites:
At Red Hill Block, Giaconda’s tiny 1 hectare of Nebbiolo finds a home looking over the Beechworth township at 600m elevation. The soils are - perhaps unsurprisingly - red clay and shale. The site enjoys cool and prolonged growing conditions ideal for maximising power and structure in Nebbiolo.
The Warner Vineyard, not owned by Giaconda, but sharing a singular commitment to quality, enjoys maximum sun-exposure and higher elevation. The soils are made up of gravel that typifies many of the great vineyards in the area.
And last, Giaconda’s iconic Estate Vineyard: planted in 1982 and planted to Shiraz in 2002 on the highest point of the vineyard. The vineyard has been biodynamically certified and due to its valley location benefits from a light breeze much of the year that helps combat disease. As is the case with the Warner Vineyard, the exposition is warm and the soils here too are ancient granitic loams over decomposed gravel and clay. The clay is important in allowing sustained water-release to the vine roots and irrigation is only implemented in the most challenging seasons.
With such propitious beginnings then it’s really no surprise that Giaconda’s skill and care continues at the winery where indigenous yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, generous new French oak and prolonged ageing in a purpose-built underground cellar and gentle handling throughout the winemaking process with transfers via gravity all promote wines of finesse and opulent structure, glossy and pure fruits and utter style. All round, these wines speak of their individuality and excellence.
Come and get yours today!