Domaine A
Stoney Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is the sister variety to Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux. Sometimes known as “Wild White”, Sauvignon Blanc can produce wines of elegance and finesse. Our one hectare plot of Sauvignon Blanc is planted in sandy loam with a yellow clay base and produces only small amounts each year. The longer growing season at Stoney Vineyard allows the berries to develop their true varietal character. Usually we pick the Sauvignon Blanc at the beginning of April, shortly after the Pinot Noir. Minimal interaction through the winemaking process ensures this wine remains true to the variety.
The Lady A has earned a cult status reputation around the globe. Described by James Halliday once as being “the finest Oaked Sauvignon Blanc” he had ever tasted. The Lady A is a wine for the connoisseur. These Sauvignon Blanc grapes are planted in Jurassic Dolerite in the higher part of the vineyard. The ‘Lady A’ spends around 12 months in new French Oak after approximately 3 months of battonage.
“I first made this wine in secret for my wife in 1996 as a birthday surprise – she’s a lover of the Pavillion Blanc from Chateaux Margaux. Ruth liked it so much I have been making it for her ever since.”
“Simply the finest Sauvignon Blanc I have tasted in Australia”
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is described by Andrew Jefford as “...the poet among grape varieties.” It is a wine of many facets and comes in all different styles. Pinot Noir is the principal grape in Burgundy, and in Tasmania, sitting at 40% of the states production in 2009. Many consider Tasmania as Australia’s premier Pinot Noir growing region. This variety enjoys a long growing season and minimal irrigation. First planted in 1973, this small 2 hectare plot of Pinot Noir sits on the highest part of Stoney Vineyard in Jurassiac dolerite with underlying limestone. These low yielding vines produce around one bottle for every two vines. They are single cane pruned and we crop thin before and after veraison. Approximately 5000 bottles of our Domaine A Pinot Noir are made each year. Traditional vineyard and winemaking techniques ensure the end result is a true expression of this variety. The Pinot Noir from Domaine A is a wine of great intensity and depth of flavour. It is a concentrated, well structured Pinot designed for the long haul.
“Great wines are like a diamond. They have many facets and will change the more you look at them.”
Cabernet Sauvignon
During the ripening season we experience some of the longest sunshine hours in Australia, ensuring the grapes develop their true varietal characters. Our low yielding single cane pruned vines are planted in the lower plots of the vineyard and sit in black cracking clay over Jurassic Dolerite. Veraison will happen in February and picking of the Bordeaux varieties in mid April. Traditional winemaking techniques are employed such as extended time on lees, open vat fermentation, regular racking, hand plunging and assemblage between first and second fermentation. The blend is approximately 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5 % Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon will spend a minimum of 24 months in new French oak and a further time in our cellar before release. The Stoney Cabernet Sauvignon is a similar blend, however will spend less time in subsequent oak. The wines made at Domaine A are not filtered, fined, or cold stabilised. And there is never any need to make acid adjustments.
“Excellent – DOMAINE A CABERNET SAUVIGNON”
Merlot
Small quatities of Domaine A Merlot is made in certain years and although drinking well when young, will benefit from cellaring.
“"The two Australian merlots worth drinking are Jim Irvine's Grand Merlot and the Domaine A Merlot from Tasmania..."”
We produce two labels: Domaine A and Stoney Vineyard. The Stoney Vineyard wines are made for early drinking, however will benefit from short to medium term cellaring. The Domaine A wines are for the enthusiast. These are made without compromise and will cellar for many years.
Current Releases:
2008 Domaine A Lady A PDF
2007 Domaine A Pinot Noir PDF
2005 Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon PDF
2004 Domaine A Merlot PDF
2010 Stoney Vineyard Pinot Noir PDF
2006 Stoney Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon PDF
2011 Stoney Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc PDF
2006 Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon PDF