Winery & Vintage Info
Plantagenet is a pioneer of the Great Southern region of Western Australia with vineyards first planted in 1968 and the first commercial winery established in the region in 1975. Estate vineyards in the Mount Barker sub region, including the flagship ‘Wyjup’ vineyard, provides access to sites with unique characteristics, ancient soils and a cool maritime climate favouring the production of low yield high quality parcels of fruit.
Owned by vignerons Tom & Jo Wisdom, the attention to detail in the vineyard and a focus on nurturing traditional old vine blocks ensures that expressive cool climate wines are crafted of provenance, quality, and prestige. A consistent Five Red Star winery rating in the Halliday Wine Companion attests to the long-term focus on quality.
A cool and wet winter in Mount Barker ensured ample soil moisture for budburst & early season growth, around three weeks behind the long-term average. Early spring rains continued the winter pattern and flowering, and fruit sets were also delayed by about two weeks, although the vine canopies were well-balanced and healthy. Perfect growing conditions then ensued for December, January, and February, with blue skies, warmer temperatures, and cool, clear nights. By the time harvest commenced in March, the phenological ripening stages of the vineyards were back to normal, and the season delivered great intensity in the Riesling and aromatic whites. Late April rains provided excitement for the winemaking team and condensed the harvest program.
The fruit for the 2023 York Chardonnay was machine harvested in the cool of night, a portion of the free run juice directly to New Oak for fermentation, the remainder pressed to tank, followed by a rough racking, inoculation with CY3079 yeast, and then racked to barrel (new and 2/3 year old) approximately 1/3 way through ferment, and then aged in barrel (60% Malo) on full lees for 10 months prior to assemblage.
