2022 Patrick Sullivan Black Sands Chardonnay
WINEMAKER: Patrick Sullivan
REGION: Heywood, VIC
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Biodynamic
Lemon pith, orange blossom, honey, brioche. Peaches, nectarines, mineral and earth. It’s powerful yet light on its feet.
The Black Sands vineyard is located a short distance to the west of the township of Heywood in western Victoria. Planted in 1990 by Alistair and Alice Taylor, the vineyard has historically produced some of the most interesting and pronounced Chardonnay grown in Australia. Soils are a unique shallow blend of black volcanic sand and basalt over pure white limestone that runs deep.
Farmer-winemaker Patrick Sullivan can do it all. From tending to vines in rural Victoria at just age 12 on a school excursion to picking up a degree in viticulture, Patrick has now settled in West Gippsland. Farming biodynamically alongside the iconic Bill Downie, his "Tumblestone Farm" property consists of 69 hectares of ultra close-spacing vineyards (7000 vines/ha - woof) nestled amongst an acacia forest. Sitting on basalt volcanic soils over sandstone at the base of the Strzelecki Ranges, Patrick's wines are electric, inspired and truly world class.