Wines

Bress wines are produced from grapes that have been grown using biodynamic farming practices.  This fruit is then handcrafted to reflect the varietal characters and the sense of place that each parcel of fruit expresses.

2010 Silver Chook Heathcote Bendigo La Gallina Red SORRY SOLD OUT

The Name
Whilst living and winemaking in the Yarra Valley, I discovered the joys of breeding and showing chickens. This passion led me to visit France in 1996 to witness first hand their traditional methods of breeding chickens and I dedicate our wines to the famous chickens of France and what they represent – artisan production using traditional, age old methods. La Gallina, is Spanish for 'The hen'. Apt we think, given this wine is made using Spanish grape varieties in large part and is very Spanish in style.

The Vineyards
The fruit for this Tempranillo, Granacha (Grenache) & Syrah (Shiraz) blend was selected from a range of vineyard situated in both Heathcote and the Bendigo appellations. The vineyards are either managed or supervised by Bress are all at least 10 years old. We endeavour to ensure that crops are no greater than 2.5 tonne to the acre and it is this cropping level that gives the wine such concentration.

Winemaking
My winemaking belief is that good fruit should be treated gently and with minimal intervention. The Bress 2010 Heathcote Bendigo La Gallina Red was treated in this manner. A combination of whole bunch and gently crushed fruit fermentations occurred in open fermenters. Fermentation was slow and was initiated by indigenous yeast strains. Hand plunging or pumping over occurred three times a day. Post pressing the wine under went malolactic fermentation and has seen no oak maturation. The wine was gently filtered and bottled in May 2010. This Bress 2010 Heathcote Bendigo La Gallina was bottled using a Screw Cap closure. Using a Screw Cap closure is our attempt to ensure that our wine is presented free of cork characters (good or bad) and that the full aroma and flavour of this wine is expressed.

Tasting Notes

Colour: An intense and vibrant pungent crimson, almost inky blue.

Aroma: The wine offers a complex array of fruit aromas of black fruit, spice, cloves and liquorice.

Palate: The wine is tightly packed full of black fruit, spice, cloves, and liquorice. The grape tannins are soft and are beautifully integrated into the wine, giving the wine structure and adding power, balance and a savoury richness. Whilst enjoyable now, this wine will reward careful cellaring for up to 2 years.

Please enjoy this traditionally made hand crafted wine.