Last thursday we commenced a new and excited chapter.

As an result of my consultancy work in Austria, I have fallen in love with the Blaufrankisch and Gruner Veltliner grapes. While the Gruner is still in quarantine, the Blau is now out and we took the first steps to establishing a Blaufrankisch vineyard in one of the coolest parts of the Yarra Valley.

It will be at least 4 years before we have our first vintage but we are now underway with plantings and from next year graftings onto 30 year old vines.

Enjoy the pics… it was wet underfoot but a glorious first day.

Mac

Mac Forbes planting rootling Blaufrankisch

I got back last week from a great trip to London and Austria.

London to show the wines around to the trade and Austria to check on my Blaufrakisch and Gruner as well as check out an amazing barrel cooper.

Coming home though is always great and it was with somewhat fresh eyes that I tasted the 2010 pinots. And what a lovely range of wines we have in barrel. They are all highly defined, full of weight and character. These will be bottled in January and we can’t wait.

In a month we are bottling the Arneis and our first Tasmanian Riesling!!!

SHazamm!!! Vintage 2010 is not yet over but we can see the finish line.

As most of you will have read, 10 days ago we received anywhere between 30 – 120 mm rainfall in 24 hours across Melbourne and the Yarra Valley. Thankfully for us, most of our fruit had been picked and was fermenting away oblivious to the outside conditions. That is all our fruit excluding some Syrah, Cabernet and Riesling. Now Cabernet is not shy of cool or wet conditions if for short periods and the Syrah was ready to pick so both have handled the rain well. Next check was the Riesling….

Dylan and I drove up to Strathbogie Ranges last week unsure or what we were going to see. After 5 inches of rain this was always going to be a nervous drive. Split berries and as a consequence botrytis was prolific and regrettably a vintage or Strathbogie Riesling has been lost.

However, having spoken to a few friends, we have now been in contact with a riesling vineyard in Portland and will be driving across to inspect the vineyard tomorrow (photos will be posted wednesday). Fingers crossed we find something which excites.

Anyway, I’d better go. Alan has been stomping the whole bunch Syrah and needs to be let out of the tank!!

Mac

Hi All,

Once again footstomping has come and gone with the chaos of vintage mixed in with the fresh faces and energy so desperately required after a long week.

Please see the photos attached for those that missed out.

Thanks for those who came. The fruit you stomped is now fermenting away and looks great.

8.15am… I have just arrived back at the winery after a taste and walk through the gruyere vineyard or Warwick Bisley and the exciting news is things are looking fantastic…

Chardonnay tastes great and we are now expecting to commence picking sometime between Feb 11 – 14,,,,,

Also, we have finalised our FOOTSTOMPING DAY. Please see the invitation attached which will also be emailed out at the end of the week to our mailing list. Should you have any questions, please email me on mac@macforbes.com

Hopefully I’ll see you soon.

Cheers,

Mac

Footstomping 2010