Climate

Warm, dry and minimal frost across the region during the period of critical growth leading up to harvest has enabled high quality grapes with intense varietal flavours to be grown. The dry winter did result in reduced yields from some vineyards planted on sandy soils but overall yields were as expected. Moderate to high water deficit in the soil of our vineyards between veraison and maturity led us to make rich, concentrated and aromatic red wines.

Viticulture

Trained onto two wire vertical trellises with both wires mechanically pruned back to 2 buds. The canopy is managed through reduced water to restrict its vigour and increase both colour and flavour intensity.

Made from selected vineyards in Langhorne Creek; one of Australia’s oldest wine regions. The vines sit atop an ancient natural floodplain with fertile alluvial soils perfect for grape growing. The region has a proud history of family owned and run vineyards.

Grapes harvested during the cool of the night to retain freshness and varietal character. The grapes then de-stemmed and pressed gently in a pneumatic press to release its juice. Selected yeast strain that brings out varietal character sued to inoculate the clarified juice. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks at cold temperature 14-15 ?, which allows a longer fermentation in order to retain freshness and producing attractive aromas. The wine was stored in stainless steel tanks and on French oak, to add to its complexity and stirred on lees to create texture and mouthfeel before bottling.

Crooked Mick is a bushman from Australian folklore who lived in the mythical Speewah. A giant of a man, some say he could shear a massive number of sheep in no time flat, kick crocodiles up to the moon and move mountains. Tall tales or not, Crooked Mick is a legend as are the wines from Langhorne Creek.