The 1993 Vintage
Thistle Hill Vineyard Newsletters - Spring 1993
Greetings from Lesley and David Robertson
1993 is rushing past at an alarming rate and suddenly we realise that we haven?t yet sent out our first newsletter for the year! In this newsletter we tell you what has been happening at Thistle Hill, in the vineyard and the winery, and we also release a new wine ... the 1990 Pinot Noir.
The 1993 Vintage
This year?s vintage was dominated by a cool wet Spring followed by a cool dry Summer and the grapes underwent a very slow ripening period. We started picking the grapes much later than we ever have before and, as a result, some of our 1993 wines are still fermenting! Their condition is good; with full-bodied fruit flavours and firm tannins and we are looking forward to some delicious 1993 wines.
At the moment we are experiencing cold nights and frosty mornings followed by beautiful sunny days, and it won?t be too long before the grapes are covered in a profusion of lime green leaves. This is a wonderful time in the vineyard, as the grapes are coming back to life after their annual dormant period, and they look so pretty and lush.
In January of this year, an Inspector from the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia, (NASAA), visited Thistle Hill to take soil samples from the vineyard, and to question us on our viticultural practices and environmental philosophies. Then, in May, we received notification from NASAA that we had been certified as Level A Organic. This is the highest classification awarded, and is a reflection of our continued commitment to the principles of organic growing.
We are now the second vineyard in Mudgee to receive a Level A Classification; the first being Botobolar Vineyard, who have been certified since the accreditation scheme started in 1988.
In May of this year, winemakers from nine Mudgee wineries, including Thistle Hill, boarded a plane to London to represent the Mudgee region at the London Wine Trade Fair. This was the first time that an Australian Winemaking region has been represented at a European Wine Expo and the response was fantastic. Mudgee wine was definitely the flavour of the month in England as a result of the Fair, and our prospects of exporting wine to England are looking very favourable.
After leaving London, the winemakers were assigned secondary markets to research export potential in countries outside England. Countries covered included France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the U.S.A. Dave Robertson from Thistle Hill looked at markets in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Texas and California. Again these markets showed terrific potential, however the group has decided to concentrate on the European market first.
Thistle Hill is already exporting small parcels of our Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon to California, and with a lot of interest from agents in the U.K. we are currently deciding on who we should have representing us in this market.
After two very successful Vintage Celebration Dinners held in March this year, Thistle Hill, in conjunction with Lauralla Country Guest House, will be holding two similar gourmet dinners in March 1994 to celebrate the 1994 grape picking season, commonly known as ?vintage?. These two very popular dinners will take place on Saturday 12th March, 1994 and Saturday 19th March, 1994 commencing at 5.00 pm.
The afternoon will start with a vineyard walk and sampling of the fruit on the vine, followed by a ?blessing? of the grapes, and a tour of the winery showing all the features of the winemaking process. At 6.00 pm we will conduct a formal tasting of selected vintages from Thistle Hill?s Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Cabernets, after which guests will enjoy aperitifs followed by a gourmet dinner in a candle-lit marquee.
We have obtained the services of a local chef, Kim Currie from Rylstone, who has planned an exciting menu. Kim was our chef for this year?s dinners, and her fresh country approach to cooking was described in an article in the Oct / Nov 1992 edition of ?Australian Country Style? magazine.
The price per person which includes all activities, food and wine is $65.00. This year?s dinners were booked out very early, so if you wish to come to either of the dinners in 1994, please send us the accompanying booking form as soon as possible. If you need further information, contact Thistle Hill Vineyard on Phone (063) 733 546 or Fax (063) 733 540.
Mudgee's September Wine Festival. We are currently in the middle of the Mudgee Wine Festival, which is always an enjoyable time to visit the wineries. Many new customers visit Thistle Hill, not only to sample our wines, but also to visit our Art Exhibition in the winery. This year we have a lovely display of watercolour and oil paintings from some Mudgee and Camden Valley artists. We also provide lunch for our customers which consists of cook-your-own chicken and beef kebabs, salads, damper and a glass of wine, followed by a selection of home made cakes, tea and coffee. Everyone who visits Mudgee during the wine festival helps celebrate the end of Winter and the beginning of a new grape season, and they always enjoy the festivities.
Thistle Hill Cottage is a fully self contained, three bedroom cottage on our vineyard which is available for bed and breakfast accommodation. It?s a lovely spot to wind down from the hustle and bustle of the city, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet; the birds in the morning and the stars at night. In the cottage there are two double beds, a double bunk, kitchen, dining and lounge so six people can sleep quite comfortably. Accommodation includes all linen and a continental breakfast and our rates are $30.00 per adult, per night, bed and breakfast, and $15.00 per child. There are also discounts for longer stays. Bookings can be made by contacting Thistle Hill by Phone: (063) 733 546 or Fax: (063) 733 540.
September 4th to 26th Mudgee Wine Festival. Programs are available from the Mudgee Tourist Office on (063) 72 5875.
October 23rd Mudgee Appellation Wine Tasting at Balmain Liquor Supplies, 263 Darling St, Balmain. Phone (02) 810 7277 for details.
November 7th Mudgee goes to Canberra. A Mudgee Wine and Food Fair at Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa, A.C.T. from 10 am to 4 pm. Contact the Mudgee Tourist Office on (063) 72 5875 for details.
November 17th to 21st Huntington Music Festival. This is fully booked, but you can contact Huntington on (063) 73 3825 for next year?s event.
March 12th and 19th, 1994 Thistle Hill?s Vintage Celebration Dinners. Book early to avoid disappointment. Phone Thistle Hill on (063) 73 3546 for details.
Colour: Light yellow - green.
Bouquet: Intense and floral, with strong lime and toasty aromas.
Palate: This is a richly flavoured wine with intense citrus flavours. It has a crisp acid finish and a long lingering after taste. Chosen by ?Vogue Entertaining? in Oct/Nov 1992 as the best Rhine Riesling in Mudgee. Drink 1993 - 1995
Colour: Light to medium yellow.
Bouquet: Very complex with fruit aromas of fig, apricot and peach against a background of nutmeg and oak.
Palate: Exceptionally rich with honeyed fruit flavours blending with strong oak. Drink 1993 - 1997
Colour: Rich burgundy with a touch of purple.
Bouquet: Strawberry aromas dominate with cinnamon, cedar and soft fresh oak.
Palate: Excellent depth of flavour showing rich strawberry and plum fruit balanced by a firm oak finish. Chosen by ?Vogue Entertaining? in Oct/Nov as the best Pinot Noir in Mudgee. Drink 1993 - 1997
Colour: Deep red purple, sparkling and clear.
Bouquet: Rich mint and blackberry with cedary oak.
Palate: A wine with mouth filling flavours of rich dark berries and excellent oak integration. This is a powerful wine with strong tannins and the potential to cellar for decades. Chosen by ?Winestate? Magazine as the best Cabernet in the $10.00 - $15.00 range in a Cabernet Sauvignon tasting conducted in September 1992. Drink 1993 - 1997
Colour: Youthful medium red-purple, bright and sparkling.
Bouquet: Rich and clean with spicy dark berry aromas and a touch of mint.
Palate: Peppery dark berry flavours and persistent tannins with fine, lemony oak. This is a well structured wine which will mature gracefully.
Drink 1994 - 1998
To encourage you to try our new releases, we have put together a tasting dozen consisting of:
2 1991 Rhine Riesling
3 1991 Chardonnay
2 1990 Pinot Noir
3 1989 Cabernet Sauvignon, and
2 1990 Shiraz
for the special price of $132.00, saving $23.00! You can order this tasting dozen, or any of our wines, on the accompanying order form.
Thistle Hill Vineyard
