A world-first research document about to be released has detailed how Australia's famous winegrowing regions will be forced to adapt due to climate change.
It predicts the Barossa Valley will become more like the Riverland is now, while Tasmanian wine regions will resemble the current temperature of the Coonawarra.
Commissioned by Wine Australia, the Climate Atlas took University of Tasmania climate researchers three years to put together.
It charts an 80-year course for climate change, including temperature, rainfall, aridity and frost for each of the country's 71 wine regions. read more here
The Kerrigan + Berry wines are a collaborative effort by two Western Australia winemakers; Gavin Berry of West Cape Howe in the Great Southern and Michael Kerrigan of Hay Shed Hill in Margaret River.
Putting regional rivalry aside we simply strive to make wines that we love to drink, wines that we believe represent the best that Western Australia produces.
Wines made with the most fundamental objective of using the best vineyard resources and winemaking with no regard for the state of the wine market or any other commercial concern.
"The Kerrigan + Berry wines are made from the highest quality grapes selected from the finest vineyards; our interpretation of the best of Western Australia" share Michael Kerrigan and Gavin Berry.
The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a group settlement farm for returned soldiers from the First World War. Known as Sussex Vale the property was originally a dairy farm.
The current homestead, considerably renovated, still has much of the original Group Settlement look and feel.
Vines were first planted in the early 1970s. In the late 1980's the vineyard was bought by the Morrison Family and the wine brand Hay Shed Hill was established taking its name from the local reference to the hay shed located on the property.
The sister label, Pitchfork, was developed to complement the single vineyard Hay Shed Hill label. A series of ownership changes saw numerous alterations to labels, wine style and distribution until the current group of partners bought back the farm and the brand in late 2006 and returned to the original concept of producing wine with integrity that expresses the quality of the site.
The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is located in the Willyabrup Valley, the premier sub-region of the Margaret River Wine region. Only 5 Km from the Indian Ocean with an elevated aspect, the vineyard thus enjoys the benefit of the 'doctor' the well-known sea breeze that comes off the ocean each afternoon and cools down the vineyard giving the fruit a much cooler climate character than the latitude of the vineyard might suggest.
The vineyard is hilly with several aspects ranging from steep south facing slopes on which the best Chardonnay is located, to equally steep north facing slopes where the best Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys the full face of the sun. The majority of the vineyard is dry grown producing small yields of outstanding fruit.
Vintage 2020 began on 31st January, it was the first time that the vineyard have picked in January, six days earlier than their previous record of 5 February in 2018. The seasons continue to get earlier! Climate change doubters need to listen to what the plants are telling us.
The 2020 whites that we've harvested so far have been exceptional quality, with a great flavour profile and balance.
We will have to wait to taste the full 2020 vintage but in the meantime crtitics are really loving the new release 2018 Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay's.
2018 Hay Shed Hill Block 6 Chardonnay.
95 Points - Wine of the Week, #7 of 47 2018 Chardonnay's from Margaret River - Top Rated - 95 Points Huon Hooke
Light, bright yellow colour. Lovely creamy pear-like aromas with stony, flinty mineral overtones. Complex and racy. There's a big sulfur contribution here. Taut, refined and super-lively in the mouth. Lemony flavours rule. An excellent wine in a more racy, Chablis-like style.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review
2018 Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay
93 Points - Ray Jordan
Great fruit from this vintage has pumped some serious quality into this excellent chardonnay. Retains a bright and lively mouthfeel, but with layers of complex meal and grapefruit character. Oak is neatly judged, with the 11 months maturation adding further complexity. Rich middle palate with a fine edge of melon and pear to finish. Nice wine.
Ray Jordan, Wine Guide of WA 2020
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