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
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm is not your traditional start to a winemaking career. However, it was driving through the Swan Valley on the way to Perth that started my interest in grapes. They...
Continue Reading > were always beautiful and green quite a contrast to the dry and dusty terrain from the farm. During my final year of studies at the University of Adelaide, I commenced working at Petaluma in the Adelaide Hills, and this seeded my love of Riesling. After 18 months, I decided to explore the world of wine and for the next several years was a flying winemaker, working alternate vintages in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the north, this took me to France (Languedoc, Cognac & a couple of days in Bordeaux) and many times to Oregon, USA. This is where my love of Pinot was born. Back in Australia, I also explored Margaret River, Geographe, Clare Valley, SA and Macedon Ranges, Vic. In January 2007, coming back to WA, I joined Sandalford as Winemaker and in December 2012, was offered the Senior Winemaker position. To talk about my winemaking philosophy, is to first understand the vineyards. My role is to let the grapes shine and ensure they reflect the vineyard site they're from. The fruit source for all of our wines, are paramount to their success, and I'm incredibly lucky to have one of the oldest vineyards in Margaret River to work with.
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Continue Reading > were always beautiful and green quite a contrast to the dry and dusty terrain from the farm. During my final year of studies at the University of Adelaide, I commenced working at Petaluma in the Adelaide Hills, and this seeded my love of Riesling. After 18 months, I decided to explore the world of wine and for the next several years was a flying winemaker, working alternate vintages in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the north, this took me to France (Languedoc, Cognac & a couple of days in Bordeaux) and many times to Oregon, USA. This is where my love of Pinot was born. Back in Australia, I also explored Margaret River, Geographe, Clare Valley, SA and Macedon Ranges, Vic. In January 2007, coming back to WA, I joined Sandalford as Winemaker and in December 2012, was offered the Senior Winemaker position. To talk about my winemaking philosophy, is to first understand the vineyards. My role is to let the grapes shine and ensure they reflect the vineyard site they're from. The fruit source for all of our wines, are paramount to their success, and I'm incredibly lucky to have one of the oldest vineyards in Margaret River to work with.
Show less
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)
