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Truffle Hill Wines
New branding positions Pemberton Region winery
The Wine and Truffle Co (WTC), which has developed a reputation as a leader in the world for growing the elusive French black truffle, is emerging as a serious wine producer and has re-branded its label to Truffle Hill Wines.
Managing Director of WTC, Wally Edwards, said the company had always intended to be in the wine industry.
“We see a complimentary relationship between one of the rarest and most expensive gourmet foods on the planet and the wonderful world of wine. It quickly became obvious we had to grow and produce wines that would sit comfortably alongside our truffles in the best restaurants and dining rooms of the world.
“After eight vintages and winning gold medals for three different vintages of Riesling and numerous silver and bronze medals for the Merlot and Shiraz, Chardonnay and other blends, we believe Truffle Hill Wines meets that objective,” said Mr Edwards.
Truffle Hill Wines are being released first in Western Australia through distributors, Grape Expectations Vintners, and the company has only recently appointed Combined Wines and Foods in NSW/ACT and Global Foods & Wines in Qld. National distribution will be complete when the Victorian appointment is finalised within weeks.
“We have created wines that will enhance our region’s already strong reputation in styles and prices to suit the casual through to the discerning wine buyers,” Mr Edwards said.
The Premium range includes three blends - the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 with its concentrated melon, peach and gooseberry flavours, a medium bodied Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2007 with intense berry fruit flavours, and a delicious fruity, semi sweet Rose 2008 - all retailing between $15 and $17.
The Premium range also includes straight varietals, all exhibiting strong varietal characteristics with soft, smooth finishing reds and lively crisp, clean finishing whites. The Merlot 2007 and Sauvignon Blanc 2008 are classic examples of this cool climate region. The lightly oaked Chardonnay 2007 and full - bodied Shiraz also impress. These wines retail between $18 and $20.
For the connoisseurs seeking finesse, elegance and intensity of flavour the Reserve Series Riesling 2007 and the Reserve Series Shiraz 2007 are a ‘must try’. The Reserve Series Chardonnay 2007 is being described as ‘amazing and very classy’. These wines range in price from $24 for the Riesling through to $35 for the Shiraz.
For those who like dessert wines, the Truffle Hill label includes the second only release of the Cane Cut Riesling. This is a delicious wine with very intense citrus, marmalade, apricot and orange blossom flavours. The last vintage sold out quickly.
It was 11 years ago that 30 acres of wine grapes were planted around 50 acres of fungus - infected hazel and oak trees in a magnificent valley of rich karri soils on the Pemberton side of Manjimup.
On the advice of wine consultant Dorham Mann, this planting featured a majority of Riesling and Merlot vines with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc completing the planting.
The first vintage was produced in 2002 a year before the first truffle appeared and it took a further eight years to plant Sauvignon Blanc.
“Since 2003 our truffle production has grown exponentially and topped 600kgs over the winter just passed. We felt we were on the way to success in the truffle business, but knew we needed to get some serious focus onto our wine business so we took some very important steps,” said Mr Edwards.
Respected winemaker Mark Aitken was appointed to develop wine styles with added sophistication with an ‘only the best will do’ attitude and to enhance the characteristics of the unique region.
The company also purchased grapes from neighbouring and other selected Pemberton vineyards.
The wine making process was then moved to the new and well - equipped winery at Mt Shadforth in Denmark and a lot of effort put into improving the wine cultural practices in the WTC and contract vineyards. Yields were dropped and canopies improved.
“What we are working towards is building a high quality and respected boutique wine brand,” said Mr Edwards.
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