Winery & Vintage Info
Since the first vintage of Charles Melton Wines in 1984, this small Barossa Valley winery has gained both national and international recognition for its fine red table wines.
The wines move from a light red, ‘The Rose of Virginia’ through to Australia’s premier Rhone-style red, ‘Nine Popes’. Charlie Melton also makes small quantities of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Shiraz, and is the only Australian producer of a vin-santo styled dessert wine, Sotto di Ferro.
Charlie was one of the first to recognize the value and tradition of the Barossa’s old vineyard Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. At a time when others were pulling out vineyards of Shiraz to plant more fashionable varieties, Charlie was convincing farmers to keep their historic vineyards. He was one of a small group of winemakers who helped retain the viticultural heritage of the Barossa.
Grains of Paradise is the wineries interpretation of the classic Barossa Shiraz style, and is vinified accordingly. Small berry Shiraz bunches are de-stemmed but not crushed and fermented for about 10 days or so at a temperature range of 18˚C-22C˚, with careful cap management using both pump overs and some hand plunged small batch lots. The oak influence on the Grains of Paradise is deliberately American, but with a Gallic twist. The wineries timber is sent from the Missouri forest to France for a 3 year seasoning before being coopered by Saury using their water immersion bending technique and given a light toast. This sweetens and enhances the aromatic of the oak, taking away any overt timber characteristics. Sur lie ageing adds further richness and weight. Winery Notes
