October 2006 Newsletter

Hi all,

Welcome to the first ever Wonga Estate Newsletter. We are proud of how our wines are being received in the market place. It's still early days, however, the results so far have been exciting to say the least.

There are lot of exciting things happening within Wonga Estate and we will endeavor to keep you informed and involved.

Feel free to let us know what you think of our wines, and if you are in the area, please drop in and say hello, we would love to see you.

Yours truly,

Jady and Greg Roberts

What's Happening in the Vineyard 2006?

After a very dry winter, budburst came early. Clear and cold nights in September brought temperatures below zero causing severe frost damage to the young shoots, in particular, to the chardonnay in the back vineyard. We have removed the damaged shoots and are waiting for the secondary buds to burst. This will mean that the crop will be down by at least 50%. Fortunately, the front vineyard was not affected to the same degree.

Harvest 2007

As the season is early once again we would expect to be harvesting the front vineyard late February, early March 2007. We will keep you up-to-date in respect of the back block.

Wine Development in Barriques

2006 Pinot Noir - The pinot noir took Greg and Jady three days to pick due to sun damage. Once it was hand sorted and destemmed it went into open top fermenters and plunged three to four times a day. After completion of the fermentation the pinot went through a maceration period, this is essential for extracting colour, flavour and tannins from the skins. The wine was then fed into a basket press and hand pressed minimally ensuring the best flavours and balanced tannins are maintained. The wine was then transferred into French oak Francois Freres Troncais barrels of medium + toast, mostly three year air-dried barriques. During ageing the wines undergo a second fermentation that takes harsh malic acids to soft lactic acids - this is called malolactic fermentation. Greg has been checking and topping the barrels when necessary. The wine sat on their lees for six months and they have now all been racked and are taking on some nice oak character. Bottling should be sometime in January 2007.

2006 Chardonnay - The chardonnay was basket pressed minimally and transferred into French oak barriques. Francois Freres: The Francois Allier & Nevers Medium toast. (30% new, the balance, one and two year old barrels). During the aging period each barrel has been checked and topped as necessary and the lees stirred. The wine sat on the lees for six months. The wine has been racked and are taking up some nice oak characters Francois Freres barrels are just about a perfect match with the high-toned aromas. Blending and trials will commence prior to bottling which is envisaged in January 2007.

2005 Heathcote Shiraz - It took some time for the malolactic fermentation to take place but it finally happened. The wine has spent 20 months in French Oak barriques and has now been racked ready for blending and trials prior to bottling. Greg believes the wine will be bottled some time in December. He has even made some suggestion about bottling on Boxing Day. Greg is so passionate about this wine that he would like to combine the celebration of his birthday with the bottling of the 2005 Shiraz with his family and friends.

2006 Heathcote Shiraz - After receiving some great accolades on the Heathcote Shiraz this year Greg and Jady decided to increase the tonnage of shiraz fruit. 15 barrels in total was produced at Wonga Estate. This fruit was received in two separate parcels and basket pressed and minimally handled into 30% new French oak barriques, one new Hungarian oak barrique and the balance in two and three year old barriques. The wine has now been in barrels for 7 months and will enjoy another 13 months on oak. Greg is checking and topping the barrels as necessary.

New Releases

2003 Pinot Noir - This wine is now coming of age with lots of cherry and plum characters. Limited stock available. To be released mid November 2006.

2005 Chardonnay - Fresh concentrated stone fruit with undertones of citrus, vanillin oak and well integrated malolactic barrel fermentation. To be released mid November 2006.

Special Offer

To celebrate the release of our 2003 Pinot Noir and 2005 Chardonnay we are offering three specials for you to take advantage of. All orders inc. free delivery.

1. Box of Six 2005 Chardonnay - $115.00
2. Box of Six 2003 Pinot Noir - $105.00
3. Mixed box of six (3 of each) $105.00

Offer ends 3rd December 2006. Any other discount offers do not apply to this offer.

Wonga Estate Family Day

Date to be held: Sunday, December 3 2006
Time: 11.00am - 3.00pm

Place this date in your diary. The Wonga Estate Family Day is our way of saying thanks to everyone who has helped build the Wonga Estate name. The Wonga Estate Family Day, which will be held annually, is a casual family orientated day where you and your family can relax and enjoy food, wine and activities in the lead up to the busy Christmas period. The Wonga Estate Family Day will also act as the launch of the Wonga Estate Family membership. Invitations with more details will be sent out in the next few weeks.

Christmas is coming fast

It's now time to start thinking about the festive season. Looking for that special gift, why not give a specially boxed Wonga Estate wine? Not only do our wines look great they also taste great. Give Jady a call on 03 9722 2122/0417 346 953 and let us help you say "Thank you and Merry Christmas".

Recent Reviews

1. Winestate gave our 2004 Heathcote Shiraz 4 1/2 stars in its recent "World's Greatest Shiraz Challenge" placing us in the top 8% out of over 400 entries.
2. Winorama rated our 2003 Heathcote Shiraz 90 Points in a recent review. Go to www.winorama.com.au for more details.

An intimate cellar door experience

Our cellar door experience is one of the most intimate and interesting experiences available. From separate quality wine glasses for each variety, to a sit down chat whilst enjoying a tasting platter*, your cellar door experience is one that you will tell all your friends about. We also provide you with tasting notes and tasting information with space for your comments.

That's a cellar door experience, the Wonga Estate way.

Book your Wonga Estate intimate cellar door experience today.

Wonga Estate Winery
Open 7 days by appointment
204 Jumping Creek Road, Wonga Park Victoria 3115 Australia
Telephone: 03 9722 2122
Facsimile: 03 9722 1715
Jady Roberts 0417 346 953
Greg Roberts 0417 318 774

*Tasting platters are available for purchase on request.

More information...

For more information about Wonga Estate go to our website at www.wongaestate.com.au.