The 100-year-old dry grown Grenache vines are located at 'Dogridge Vineyard' in the McLaren Vale region. Approximately 1 hectare of single wire trellis with wide spur spacing to keep yields low, the fruit exposed to sunlight and good air flow around the bunches. The vines are planted in the alluvial soil of the Kurragong geology formation, this well-drained soil is optimal for growing Grenache. These old vines are low yielding, but each bunch provides a concentrated array of flavours from ripe cherries to plums and blackberries. Hand picked, 15% whole bunches were put into a 5 tonne open fermenter with the remaining 85% crushed onto the top of the Grenache bunches. A daily program of pump overs assists in the partial carbonic maceration which adds complexity to the wine.
