Chris Ringland, Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ***On Allocation***, 2016

Producer Profile

Chris Ringland came from humble beginnings. Growing up in Auckland, in 1974, Chris decided to have a go at home winemaking after finding an old recipe book, and together with some schoolmates he harvested neighbourhood backyard vines.

Interested in learning about the science and history of winemaking, in 1977 he applied to the university of Adelaide and was admitted for a degree in oenology program at Roseworthy College. After graduating, he returned to New Zealand for a few vintages before travelling to California to gain more experience. Working for Rockford Wines in Barossa Valley for 18 vintages and in that time had the opportunity to purchase a vineyard. Chris had already established a winemaking project, Three Rivers Shiraz in 1989, utilising parcels of fruit purchased from various growers and in 1995 was able to continue with Shiraz harvested from the 100 year old vines on his Stone Chimney Creek property, found high in the Barossa Ranges of Eden Valley. At this point he changed the name from Three Rivers to Chris Ringland Shiraz with the release of the 1998 vintage and Chris Ringland Winery was born.

Viticulture

The Southern, North-East facing hillside is located in the Eden Valley. It is a very sheltered site, well protected from Southerly storms. The underlying soils are the result of weathered rock from the Paleozoic age, some 500-250 million years ago and the vines are pre-phylloxera. The old vine roots extend deep into the underlying decomposed podzolic clay, which stores moisture during the Summer Months, eliminating the need for irrigation. The aim is to manage the vines sustainably, doing as little to disturb the soils as possible, pruning hard and feeding them gently with a spray of natural nutrients. As soon as the grapes begin to colour, the entire vineyard is covered with bird net, to prevent damage to the fruit and to enable it to achieve full ripeness in pristine condition.

Tasting Note

Every now and then you get a year where it all falls into place. This appears to be the case with 2016. Chris always knew that this wine was going to be special. It continues to exceed his expectations.