Our wines
BRUNY ISLAND PREMIUM WINES
Our family run vineyard is set on a gently sloping site with a sunny northerly aspect. Our vineyard produces premium quality, cool climate wines; grown, harvested and crafted to reflect the regions terroir, our wines have won over 40 medals in national and international wine shows. Bernice has been making the wine on-site since 2004.
Our family first approach also extends to other elements of the business. Bernice’s mother Ruth Dillon, contributed the oil paintings for the labels, while the graphic design is the work of Bernice’s cousin Kylie Berry. Other family members are working in the vineyard, restaurant and cellar door.
Mid to late April all grapes are hand-picked on an annual picking day which attracts around 100 pickers in a day of vintage celebrations. All wines are made on site and include such varieties as Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
White Wine making:
We hand pick everything, pressing immediately to preserve the fruits freshness and then a slow fermentation is conducted to preserve each varieties aromatics. All our whites show the advantages of successful cool climate grape growing, often against the elements! Delicate yet powerful aromatics and that delicious balancing strand of natural fruit acidity; Zingy, slight mineral under tone, but finishing clean and soft. Perfect food wines.
All of our cool-climate white wines are hand crafted on site by owner Bernice. Our wines are only available through the cellar door.
RD SPARKLING ROSE
This wine has been named after the sparkling personality of Ruth Dillon, my Mum who painted all the Bruny Island paintings which are used on our labels for our wines. There is nothing like hearing the sound of a cork popping. A blend of Chardonnay 60%, Pinot Noir 40 % made in a Traditional Method to achieve elegance and finesse. A lovely rose gold colour, zingy, bright and zesty, strawberries and cream, meringue notes finished with great balance and length whilst hitting all corners of the palate.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
“Spring in a Glass” we call this wine, a classic Sauvignon Blanc, grassy/herbacious and tropical aromas. On the palate kiwi fruit, citrus, honey dew melon and hints of passionfruit. A well balanced wine with a soft lime zest crisp and dry finish. Perfect with natural oysters, oysters kilpatrick, any seafood, or just sit back and enjoy one of our platters with a glass of this great wine.
FUME BLANC
Why Fumé? Well why not… This lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of a Bloody Mary, tomato, celery and a hint of spice. Giving way to a palate of vibrant green apple, gooseberry and melon with hints of steamed asparagus. Four weeks in new French oak barrels gives the wine a fine soft vanilla/buttery mouth-feel and a spicy dry finish. Great with oysters anyway, seafood chowder, veggie tacos or grilled chicken
PINOT NOIR ROSE
Our second Rosé has landed and what an outstanding wine. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Gorgeous aromas of peach, nectarine, red berries and lifted with some floral notes. Lovely and rounded on the palate with flavours of strawberries, raspberries and cream, watermelon and poised with great balance and length on the palate. What a great summer wine!
CHARDONNAY
A delicate aroma of freshly baked brioche, Leatherwood honey & sweet spices. Fine tight citrus acidity with a voluptuous palate of tropical fruits and pink grapefruit. A mild creaminess gives the wine length and poise, the perfect complement to our fish of the day, seafood chowder, tasting platter or cheese platter.
Red Wine making:
As our vineyard has matured and our relationship and knowledge of our vines has grown with each vintage, we have settled on a distinct house style of wine making. Hand picking, is followed by immediate crushing and destemming into small bins. We allow a long cold soak until a wild ferment has started, at which point we then inoculate with a Pinot Noir yeast to ensure we carry the ferment through to finish, given the difficult seasonal conditions in this farthest south vineyard. After pressing, each wine goes through a prolonged malo lactic secondary fermentation in winter finishing with the warmer Spring conditions. Typically, there is 9 months in French oak with approx 15% new oak and the rest 1-4 years old, giving a lovely balance and texture of new oak aromatics and spice and the gentler older oak tannins. All of our red wines are hand crafted on site by owner Bernice.
Reserve Pinot Noir
Oh, growing Pinot Noir is so much fun! Different vintages can dish out such diverse styles whilst expressing the terroir of our vineyard. This wine displays a deep rich ruby red colour, a savoury bouquet blackberry, deep plum, cherry and hints of cinnamon. On the palate, vanilla, hints of chocolate, soft ripe berry flavours, black pepper, silky tannins, all coming together in an elegant well-balanced style. Matured in French oak for 9 months. This Pinot Noir will reward those who choose to cellar. Match this wine with our lamb, pork belly, tasting platter and the list goes on and on.
Cabernet Franc
What a delicious “Funky” wine, whilst also remaining delicate and aromatic. Displaying a lovely rich ruby colour. Red fruit aromas of cherry, blackberries with a hint of dark chocolate. Dancing nicely on the palate with berry fruits, herbs, almonds and peppery earthiness. This versatile wine could be matched with one of our platters, lamb tacos, chicken, Sunday roast or steak of the day etc…
Cabernet Merlot
What a year it was for this fruit, making a delicious cool-climate style. Bright vibrant ruby red colour. Bouquet of blackcurrant, caramel & black pepper. The palate displays hints of cherries, dates, dark chocolate and mushroom. With its lovely savoury & earthy notes and long smooth dry finish it lends itself to being a great meat dish, beef burger, lamb or beef cut of the day.