Cold soaked for five days before fermentation on skins at 18 - 20 Degrees for 7 days. Maturation for 15 months in selected French oak before blending and bottling.
Near perfect growing conditions over the months leading into vintage made 2012 one of the finest vintages of the region on record. Canopy and fruit management over the spring growing season was necessary due to the optimal growing conditions. Fruit quality across all varieties is exceptional especially Cabernet Sauvignon. Whites are looking strong but the reds are the standout this vintage.
Wrattonbully adjoins the Coonawarra area in the southern part of the Limestone Coast wine zone. The prominent viticultural feature of the area is the series of ancient beach ridges and dunes which run roughly north-south through the area. These ridges are made up of soft crumbly limestone which weathers to produce the red and brown Terra Rossa clay loam soils so highly prized for grape growing. The ridges and dunes have elevations of up to 30m compared with the Coonawarra Terra Rossa 'high' of less than 5m. The extra elevation on the Wrattonbully dunes produce the advantage of cold air drainage which reduces the risk of frost during the growing season.