Thistle Hill Vineyard Newsletters - Spring 2001

Greetings from Lesley, Lucy and Sally Robertson

As you may have heard, Thistle Hill has suffered a profound loss recently with the sudden death of its founder and vigneron, Dave Robertson. Dave began the dream that has become Thistle Hill in 1976 when he bought a 45 hectare property in Mudgee as a hobby farm, after losing a leg in a motorbike accident. He planted four grape varieties with a view to growing the fruit organically and making wine. The first vintage was produced in 1984 - a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, two varieties that were to become his most celebrated. After suffering an emergency heart bypass in 1990, he moved to Mudgee with his wife Lesley and two daughters, Lucy and Sally, to live and work on the vineyard full time. Many said he began to look increasingly like a wine barrel from this point on - rotund, unsteady on the legs and heavily wine stained.

Over the past decade, he has contributed significantly to Mudgee’s wine producing success, pioneering organic viticulture practises and securing an export market for his label and others in the area. He has won countless awards for his wines in both local and regional shows and justified his success simply by saying it is what he loved to do. Put simply, Dave loved good food, fine wine and a laugh with his friends, and packed into his short 54 years what any other mortal might have managed in 80.

Dave died of a heart attack on the morning of September 2 this year, and will be sadly missed by the Mudgee winemaking fraternity, his many friends and his close family for his immense love, strength and vision. We ask all those who love Thistle Hill to remember this great man with a drink and a smile whenever they open a bottle of his beloved wine.

Plans for Thistle Hill

Lesley, Lucy and Sally Robertson, along with a dedicated team of vineyard and winery staff at Thistle Hill, plan to continue on the tradition of the Vineyard and the legacy Dave Robertson created more than twenty years ago. We have received many kind offers of help from Dave’s winemaking friends in Mudgee, so help with identifying a strange insect or bottling a wine should never be far away! We are eager to maintain Thistle Hill’s valuable organic status in the vineyard and the growing of fine quality, full flavoured fruit without the use of harmful chemicals. We plan to continue selling Thistle Hill wine, and we have many wines that have been made by Dave that have not yet been released. Thistle Hill will use a local winemaker to make wines from the 2002 vintage onwards (released approximately 2004), so that Dave’s winemaking style will be carried on for many more vintages.

Some have suggested we change our name to Feminist Hill, however we can assure you our name, along with our standards for producing quality award winning wines, will not be compromised and that Thistle Hill will continue to go from strength to strength!

2001 Vintage

This year’s vintage was primarily good, with rain coming mostly at the right times and not the wrong ones! We were hit by hail in early February, which affected our Pinot Noir and Riesling yields but not the fruit quality. We were also relatively lucky in that neighbouring vineyards lost up to 90 per cent of their fruit during the same storm.

Our new irrigation system is working well and will be a relief during any upcoming dry spells. Irrigation during our 2001 vintage meant that our vines were less stressed and able to produce fruit of better quality and quantity.

NASAA Certified Organic – No Chemicals, No Headaches

We mention on the back label of each bottle, that Thistle Hill is an organic vineyard, registered by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Australia (NASAA Certificate No 2211) but what does this mean? Well, it embodies a philosophy of sustainability, that what we are doing will not degrade the environment, in fact, it will enrich it. We use only natural inputs, we do not use any insecticides, weedicides or synthetic fertilisers, and our fungicidal sprays are of elemental sulphur and copper only. The wine is then made in the traditional method using sulphur dioxide to prevent oxidation and to ensure microbiological stability. The end result is a healthier product, free from any harmful, residual chemicals.

Thistle Hill Cottage

Thistle Hill Cottage has undergone major renovations this year. The kitchen and bathroom have been replaced with modern tiles and fittings and the entire cottage recarpeted. The furniture and bedroom furnishings have also been replaced with fresh, country style materials that suit the relaxed ambience of the cottage. The interior and exterior walls have been freshly painted, the outside entertainment area has been repaved and new gardens have been planted surrounding the cottage and carport.

Following these improvements to our bed and breakfast accommodation, we can no longer describe it as a farm-style cottage, but rather a modern country retreat! Our service and price for the cottage remains the same, at $60.00 for the cottage and $20.00 per person per night, including all linen and a continental breakfast. Children under two years are free. Bookings for the cottage can be made by contacting Thistle Hill on (02) 6373 3546 or visiting our website, http://www.thistlehill.com.au.

Our Wines

We have eight wines to tell you about in this newsletter, some current and some new releases. They include Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a special Cabernet, which we have dedicated to Dave.

Tasting Notes For Our Current Wines

1999 Riesling

A lovely straw yellow, this impressive Riesling has a bouquet of vibrant tropical and citrus aromas coupled with classic Riesling characters that literally burst out of the glass. The palate has layers of fruit – citrus and complex tropical flavours- with a long, crisp acid finish. The Riesling is a dry, fruity, youthful wine – a delight to drink now and with the character and structure to put down to enjoy later. Drink 2001 – 2006

1998 Semillon

A bright, clear, lemon colour with tinges of green, this Semillon has a bouquet that excites the senses with tropical fruit and vanillin oak. The palate is rich and smooth with lingering fruit flavours - rockmelon and pineapple - soft integrated oak and a long crisp acid finish. This dry, fruity wine is ready to drink now and will continue to mellow for a few more years. Drink 2001 – 2005

1997 Special Reserve Semillon

A portion of the1997 Semillon vintage was retained in the cellar for this special release as a mature wine. The grapes were picked early in the ripening cycle to retain high levels of natural acid and delicate fruit flavours. It is golden in colour, because of its age, with a subtle bouquet of developed aged Semillon, and a palate balanced with complex fruit and acid. This wine won a gold medal and trophy in the 1999 Mudgee Wine Show and cellaring has made it even more delicious. Drink 2001 - 2003

2000 Chardonnay

The 2000 Chardonnay has a mid straw colour with a hint of light green and a strong bouquet of peach, melon and integrated oak. The palate is rich and creamy, with hints of tropical fruit, refreshing lime character and a firm, lifted acid finish. This wine is drinking well now and will develop even further with cellaring. Drink 2001 - 2004

2000 Pinot Noir

Cherry red in colour, the 2000 Pinot Noir has a bouquet of plum and smoky French oak. The palate has hints of ripe cherry and plum, with delicate spice and fine tannins providing a soft, lingering finish. If you can bear to put this one down, you’ll be rewarded with a complex mature wine of smoky old Pinot character. Drink 2001 - 2006

1996 Cabernet Sauvignon

A deep red colour, this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon has rich aromas of blackberry, plum and oak. The palate is tightly structured, showing blackcurrant and spicy oak with a firm, lingering finish. This wine is already five years old and like all good Cab Savs will continue to mature and soften for many more years. Drink 2001 - 2006

1997 Dave’s Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is dedicated to the memory of its maker, Dave Robertson. He was inherently proud of his Cabernet Sauvignons and believed this would be one of his best. The wine is a deep red colour, with aromas of rich plum and oak with a hint of spice. The palate is rewarded with ripe berries, blackcurrant, chocolate and balanced American oak. A deliciously big wine, rather like the man himself… Drink 2001 - 2007

1997 Liqueur Muscat

The 1997 Liqueur Muscat has a light red colour. It smells and tastes of fresh Muscat grapes and aged brandy. This is a delicious liqueur, smoky and raisiny with caramel and spice adding complexity to the palate. Available in 375 ml (half) bottles only. Drink Constantly

Special Mixed Dozen

We have put together a special mixed dozen, at a reduced rate, of all our current and new release wines to offer exclusively to our mailing list customers. It includes six whites and six reds: two bottles of 1999 Riesling, one bottle of 1998 Semillon, one bottle of 1997 Special Reserve Semillon, two bottles of 2000 Chardonnay, two bottles of 2000 Pinot Noir, two bottles of 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, and two bottles of 1997 Dave’s Special Release Cabernet Sauvignon.

The special mixed dozen will cost $189.00, representing more than 15 per cent off the cellar door price of the same mixed case (A saving of $36.00). To take advantage of this offer, fill in the blank line on the order form with the words ‘Special Mixed Dozen’ with your other details. Only while stocks last!

Contacting Us

Accompanying this newsletter is an order form which can be sent in the reply paid envelope or faxed to us on (02) 6373 3540. You can also order our wines on the Internet through our website www.thistlehill.com.au, although this does not include the special mixed dozen. We have just started sending monthly ‘e-newsletters’ via email, telling you of our latest news and wine releases. If you would like to receive our e-newsletter, please go to our website and leave your email address details in the ‘Newsletters’ section. You will remain on our regular mailing list unless you notify us otherwise.