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 White

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’. Whilst not a Spanish blend, this wine is loosely modelled on the Southern Cote du Rhone white wines and is the sister of the La Gallina Red which is indeed a Spanish inspired blend.

The Vineyards
The fruit for this Voiginer, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and a range of other white varieties 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 Voiginer was whole bunch pressed directly to old French Hogsheads and the rest of the fruit was destemmed and gently pressed to stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was conducted on 100 percent solids and by only indigenous yeast. Malolactic fermentation was not encouraged in the tank component and the wine spent 2 months on lees, which were stirred regularly. Prior to bottling the wine was not fined and was given minimal filtration to ensure maximum retention of the fine flavours inherent in this wine. The wine was gently filtered and bottled in May 2010.

This Bress 2010 Heathcote Bendigo La Gallina White 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: A vibrant and pristine light golden straw with green tinges.

Aroma: The wine offers a complex array of fruit and flower aromas of orange blossom, grapefruit and nectarine.

Palate: The wine is generous and full of fine flavours of orange blossom, grapefruit and other citrus and white peach. Lees stirring has beautifully integrated the fruit and natural acidity in the wine, giving the wine generosity, balance and a savoury mid palate richness.

Whilst enjoyable now, this wine will reward careful cellaring for up to 2 years.

Please enjoy this traditionally made hand crafted wine.