Planted in 1920, the heritage clone has been dry grown and trained uniquely high to survive the harsh and cold conditions the Clare Valley can experience. While celebrated as a blending component, this unique vineyard produces fruit with rich and complex flavours. The old vines produce fruit of such intensity that it is now reserved for this single block wine that shows the purity and finesse of the variety. Located in one of the valleys of the historic Sevenhill sub-region of Clare, the Ashton Vineyard stands apart due to its unusually high trellis. This traditional method of surviving frost prone zones has resulted in highly resilient vines that produce consistent fruit even in stress years. VINTAGE CONDITIONS With a cool and dry growing season, ideal rainfall in early January quenched the vines’ thirst and filled out the bunches. The full bunches were able to ripen and develop complex flavours over the long cooler summer. These ideal conditions made it a delight for hand harvesting in early April. WINEMAKING The single batch of fruit was placed into a small open top fermenter where it was chilled and allowed to rest for 3 days. After this time, the must was allowed to warm and have ferment initiate naturally. Hand plunged daily, the grapes were basket pressed upon completion of the ferment. This wine was then barreled into seasoned French oak hogsheads (300Ltr) and puncheons (500Ltr) GRAPE VARIETY Mataro (otherwise known as Mourvedre or Monastrell)