2019 Mount Majura Silurian Sparkling

WINEMAKER: Frank van de Loo
REGION: Canberra District, NSW
VARIETAL: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Sustainable

The name refers to the geological age (ca. 430 million years) of the rock from which our soils are derived. The Silurian is made in the traditional method from the classic varieties, chardonnay and pinot noir. The cool to mild Canberra District climate, coupled with exacting viticulture, allows harvest of these varieties at relatively low sugar ripeness, high acidity, and the delicate fruit flavours required for this very elegant style of sparkling wine. Lees age prior to disgorging gives autolysis complexity, creamy texture and a very fine mousse.

Mount Majura Vineyard lies near the top of the Majura Valley, just outside the city of Canberra. The valley floor, too frosty in Spring for vines, was a camping area and transit corridor for the original Ngunnawal people. To a vigneron, an east-facing slope with limestone speaks softly but urgently of a need to plant vines. So it was that the late Dr Edgar Riek, a pioneer of viticulture in the Canberra District, came to plant a vineyard together with the then owner of our site, Mrs Dinny Killen.