Winery & Vintage Info
A near-perfect Hills vintage for 2021 with excellent rainfall in Spring and any summer showers dispersed by subsequent mild breezes. The winds prevented any disease pressure and the mild Spring provided good conditions for flowering early. Cooler temperatures prevailed throughout and as yield was above average. From veraison through to harvest, the vineyard experienced below average, yet relatively dry temps, ensuring a very long ripening period resulting in exceptionally complex fruit flavour. Slow, even sugar development and excellent acid retention were welcome outcomes for the fruit and total harvest was completed on 28 April.
Yakka Shiraz is Longview’s mainstay and the hardy variety handles the vineyard’s tough, rocky soils through the toughest of vintages – just like the plant after which it is named. Sourced from 5 distinct blocks on our estate, all of which are north facing, Yakka shiraz fruit is picked based on a flavour profile of blue fruit and spice with up-front tannin in the berry. Hand harvesting began on the 15th of March, at daybreak, then chilled overnight to preserve fruit flavour before being delivered to the winery. It is crushed and de-stemmed into open fermenters with a small percentage of whole berries. The wine enjoys a long, cool ferment 3 pump overs per day. It is then pressed, settled and racked into a mix of new and old puncheons and hogsheads for up to 12 months.
