Are you serious, it can't be that long since I posted an update...but it has. Unfortunately, I have added more balls into the juggle than I have been able to keep in the air at once and I've dropped the ball that said make regular (or at least semi-regular...even occasional) posts into the blog.
So, where are we up to? Life has been somewhat erratic (as I imagine it has for all of you) but in the midst of all the ups and downs, we are pleased to say that we have managed to put some new wines into bottles with some more to come before the end of the year. With the help of some friendly wineries, we have just released two new wines.
I have succumbed to the rise of rosé and released a 2021 blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre created from fruit grown in the Hilltops region around Young in NSW. A cooler year has resulted in a wine with a delicate melange of subtle red fruits such as strawberry and red cherries. The palate finishes crisp and mouth watering with a slightly savoury texture. With winter over halfway and warmer months coming, I sense a need will develop for this wine.
The other release is a 2019 Shiraz. Hilltops provides a great contrast to the Hunter style. Extra elevation and a cooler climate in general creates a wine with deeper colour and more concentrated fruit character. Back that up with quality oak and balanced tannins and you have a wine that is big on flavour but not overwhelming. This means that a lunchtime BBQ can continue into the evening without a knockout blow from a big bottle of red in partnership with a juicy steak earlier in the day. A second bottle will always be on the table with this wine.
Later this year will see a 2021 Viognier, 2021 Chardonnay (that is currently resting in oak) and a 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (about to come out of oak) all join the stable.
I would like to thank our friends at John Hart Studios in the USA for their support with our range of labels. As creators of the cartoon strip 'Wizard of Id', they have been incredibly generous in lending their 'actors' from the strip to feature on our labels. Blanch returns on the just released Shiraz and Bung will feature as the master juggler on the Chardonnay. The Wizard is a natural alchemist for magic that is Cabernet Sauvignon.
We will also introduce two new characters this year. Gwen, who dreams only of her knight in tarnished armour is the perfect femme fatale for the rosé and of course, Sir Rodney, the object of Gwen's affection. Though not the bravest of knights, Rodney makes an escape with a prized possession that will please Gwen's heart on the Viognier label (still under wraps).
We all know that the last 12 months have been filled with a lot of uncertainty and juggling life has been more difficult than ever. We hope you enjoy our wines and that for a brief period of time you put down the trials and tribulations you are juggling, relax a little, and remember why you do what you do.
Stay safe and well!
The Orr Family
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