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Vintage 2016 @FlyfaireWines

Wine MakingFlyfaire WinesTeddy, Vineyard, Vineyard Dogs, Merlot, Merlot 2016, Mixed Bag, Rain, Hot, 43mm of Rain, Shiraz, Walla Walla, Local Farmer, Marty from NZud, New Zealand, Aussie Climate, Pinot Noir, Hawkes Bay, Blood Plum, Strawberry Nose, Luscious Feel, Dry Table Wine, Winemaker, Les Hanel, Les our Winemaker, Flyfaire, Flyfaire Riesling, Flyfaire Riesling 2016, 12 baumé, Carménère, Flyfaire Carmérère 2016, Surprisingly Intense, Chanel, Work Experience Student, Paris, Los Angeles, Cabernet, Marsanne, Vintage 2016, Picking, Grapes, Vines, NZud
Vintage 2016 @FlyfaireWines
Teddy, the vineyard dog, guarding the Merlot for us

Teddy, the vineyard dog, guarding the Merlot for us

Vintage 2016 was a very mixed bag. A very dry start with no rain in October 2015 followed by mild summer temperatures. The rain started in November and ended with 42mm of rain in one day in February 2016. Just to be different, that was followed by a very dry finish to the season with temperatures in the 40°C’s by the time we got to picking.

We were also kindly offered some Shiraz grapes from Walla Walla by a local farmer and friend. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to introduce Marty, a friend visitng from NZud, to our great Aussie climate. Having come from a balmy 23°C in NZud, he was straight into the 43°C days and picking Shiraz with us.

Friends helping us with vintage 2016 including Marty from NZud (middle)

Friends helping us with vintage 2016 including Marty from NZud (middle)

Luckily, the Pinot Noir that he'd brought with him from Hawkes Bay, NZ washed away the heat and exhaustion from the days of picking quite easily.

Friends helping with vintage 2016

Friends helping with vintage 2016

The Shiraz we picked in Walla Walla has beautiful blood plum and strawberry nose with a luscious mouth feel, suited to a dry table wine. We think visitors to Flyfaire are going to love this new addition for the 2016 vintage.

Les, our winemaker, inspecting the Merlot

Les, our winemaker, inspecting the Merlot

With the heat came the unsurprising quick ripening of our grapes at Flyfaire. Our Merlot grapes were the first to come-off the vines at 12 baumé (baumé measures the density of liquids, including our wine!).

The Carménère on the other hand suffered a little heat stress this year. Being young vines, only 2 years since we planted them, this was expected. But we are happy with the crop in the end and the flavours are surprisingly intense.

Chanel, our work experience student, also enjoyed the challenge and added a youth-filled enthusiasm to the job at hand.

Chanel, our work experience student helping with vintage 2016

Chanel, our work experience student helping with vintage 2016

Next up, we had a little bit of wild picking to do with our bush Cabernet. And to the rescue came two lovely young backpackers who were up to the challenge: Kristy from Los Angeles and Patrice from Paris. In no time all, the Cabernet was off the vines and ready for processing.

Kristy from Los Angeles and Patrice from Paris help out in the Cabernet

Kristy from Los Angeles and Patrice from Paris help out in the Cabernet

We still have the Riesling and Marsanne to come off the vines. So, we'll be be picking them shortly.

Last, but not least, we also had the help of Teddy the vineyard dog. Thankfully! 

Vintage 2016: Video at Flyfaire Wines of processing the Cabernet Sauvignon. Watch as we feed and crush the grapes in the processor and even Boof the vineyard dog helps out.

Flyfaire Wines is located in the Woomargama National Park and we are close to the regional centres of Holbrook, Albury/Wodonga, Canberra, and Wagga Wagga. We produce quality cool climate wines and provide a premium cellar door & café experience.

Flyfaire is a sustainable, low chemical and low carbon single block vineyard situated in the pristine Woomargama National Park, NSW, Australia. We focus on low acreage methods to produce high quality, distinctive tasting wines. Our Cellar Door and Café experience provides a pleasurable escape from the rush of everyday life. We feature a seasonal locally sourced café menu that we're sure you'll enjoy. Drop by today to taste one of our vintages and experience our cellar door.