Sandalford Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling (Non Vintage)
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were picked early in the season when the flavour and acid balance were optimum for sparkling wine. After being chilled down, the fruit was then gently pressed as whole bunches, minimising juice contact with the skin to preserve the fruit's delicate characters.
Winemaker comments
Winemaker Notes
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were picked early in the season when the flavour and acid balance were optimum for sparkling wine. After being chilled down, the fruit was then gently pressed as whole bunches, minimising juice contact with the skin to preserve the fruit's delicate characters. The juice underwent primary fermentation at cool temperatures before being blended together to form the base wine. Sugar and yeast were then added to this base wine, initiating a secondary fermentation. It's this second fermentation that is responsible for producing the bubbles in sparkling wine. The now sparkling wine spent time on lees to develop more complex aromas and flavours.
Meet the maker
By the time I turned 18, I had become fascinated with wine. I was keen to learn as much about wine as I could and I received some great advice: to work in the industry before committing to any tertiary study....
Continue Reading > I was lucky enough to get my start at the cellars at Houghton Wines, here in the Swan Valley. I loved it, and it was the beginning of a career which was to eventually see me spend 20 years with Houghton’s. But first, I wanted to discover what traditional winemaking was like in the northern hemisphere. I took myself off to Burgundy, France, where I worked several vintages learning as much as I could about the craft of winemaking from some the best in the business. Returning to Australia I continued my career, picking up a few awards in the process of learning more and more about winemaking and achieving Bachelor of Applied Science and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, NSW. I was awarded the inaugural Gourmet Traveler Young Winemaker of the Year 2001, James Halliday’s Winemaker of the year in 2009, Winemaker of the Year in Ray Jordan's 2017 Annual West Australian Wine Guide, and I’ve judged extensively at capital city and regional wine shows. Australia makes some amazing world class wines! I’ve been fortunate to be Senior Winemaker at Sandalford Wines since March 2021 and I’m delighted every day by our estates’ old vines, the passion of the viticulture team here, and the outcomes we are able to achieve each vintage.
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Continue Reading > I was lucky enough to get my start at the cellars at Houghton Wines, here in the Swan Valley. I loved it, and it was the beginning of a career which was to eventually see me spend 20 years with Houghton’s. But first, I wanted to discover what traditional winemaking was like in the northern hemisphere. I took myself off to Burgundy, France, where I worked several vintages learning as much as I could about the craft of winemaking from some the best in the business. Returning to Australia I continued my career, picking up a few awards in the process of learning more and more about winemaking and achieving Bachelor of Applied Science and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, NSW. I was awarded the inaugural Gourmet Traveler Young Winemaker of the Year 2001, James Halliday’s Winemaker of the year in 2009, Winemaker of the Year in Ray Jordan's 2017 Annual West Australian Wine Guide, and I’ve judged extensively at capital city and regional wine shows. Australia makes some amazing world class wines! I’ve been fortunate to be Senior Winemaker at Sandalford Wines since March 2021 and I’m delighted every day by our estates’ old vines, the passion of the viticulture team here, and the outcomes we are able to achieve each vintage.
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Tasting notes
Varietals
Varietal
Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Colour
Other Notes
Pale straw, with a fine, steady bead.
Nose
Production
Lifted citrus notes, particularly lemon, an underlying note of red berries, with a hint of brioche complexity.
Palate
Tasting Note
The power, line and length of Chardonnay is the driving force on the palate, with a lovely crisp lemony zing. Some richer strawberry notes add to the complexity, together with a hint of creaminess from time on yeast lees.
Vintage Conditions
Sandalford Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling (Non Vintage)
