RUTHERGLEN fortified winemakers have a spring in their step after a stunning vintage in 2016 and news of the Morris Wines takeover this month.
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Winemakers of Rutherglen vice chairman Rowly Milhinch said the takeover of the Rutherglen operation by Griffith-based winemakers, Casella Family Brands, showed optimism in the future of fortified wines.
Mr Milhinch, who is a great-great-great grandson of George Francis Morris, the founding father of Morris Wines, said the decision boded well for Rutherglen and its unique wine styles.
“Everyone is yet to realise how big that actually is,” he said.
Mr Milhinch, who established Scion Vineyard and Winery at Rutherglen in 2002, said it had been a stunning year for fortified wines because of the conditions.
“We had a very warm spring and the whole vintage gets pulled forward,” Mr Milhinch said.
“Despite this trend we have all of the ability in the world to get stunning quality fruit; there was no significant disease pressure this vintage.
“We did grand-based muscat and you can’t do that every season because you need the right conditions to get great flavour intensity.”
Mr Milhinch, who produces small-batch contemporary wines for boutique cellar doors and premium restaurants, will expand plantings on his vineyard this spring.
He will double production to 3.2 hectares on his property south of Rutherglen.
True to style every step of the growing and winemaking process are completed by hand to ensure wine quality and seasonality remained the focus.
“We make beautiful, restrained red wines,” he said.
“We’re durif specialists with a varied range of four different durifs.”
Scion cellar door has achieved a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and has twice featured in the Gourmet Traveller WINE Best Australian Cellar Door Awards.
Wines have been awarded three trophies, more than 10 gold medals and 15 silver medals, 5-star reviews and featured in the TOP100 Victorian Wine Awards.