Winemaking Archives - St Ignatius Vineyard

Why did I plant Torrontes in Australia?

St Ignatius Vineyard — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:57 +0000

Winemaker Enrique Diaz explains his fascination with Torrontes and why he chose to venture into uncharted territory by bringing it to Australia.

The story of the Torrontes is the reflection of a very intimate personal journey; a story which stems from the roots of my childhood and extends to my love for the land.

The beginning of the dream

I was born and educated in Argentina. Early in my childhood I was introduced to the land – The Pampas of Argentina – by a relative of mine, Uncle Ernesto. I fondly recall my experiences in this new environment, a world away from the city life of Buenos Aires. Ernesto often remarked that the vast open landscape of the Pampas gave him a great sense of freedom. I sensed his love for the land.

That philosophy has had a profound effect on me. I sought to be like him, to have a good life, a big family and to be liberated from the confines of the city. Since then, I have remained connected to the land, either directly or indirectly, in the many places I have lived and worked.

Challenges along the way

Naturally, given my background, I chose to ‘roll the dice’ in 2000 and imported two iconic varietals of Argentina – Malbec and Torrontes. There were obstacles along the way, not least of which was the Millennium Drought. I also encountered many difficulties from budburst to fruit setting and fruit maturation, which required adaptation to my viticultural practices. That is not to mention learning the winemaking practices that are unique to this varietal.

Torrontes unique style matches with spicy food and Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It also pairs marvellously with Northern Argentinean food, such as the typical empanadas and corn stew.

These challenges notwithstanding, I have now propagated and planted more than two acres (and counting) of Torrontes on our property – St Ignatius Vineyard. Much to my delight, the fruit is truly unique, with its distinctive floral aroma and apricot characters – and the vines remarkably productive.

This is a journey that I have shared with my family – together we have aspired to do something that is genuinely authentic. In the process, we have created a vineyard and winery that invests in quality and strives to differentiate itself in the marketplace.

The reward for hard work

Taking advantage of our distinctive terroir, we are now embracing the challenge of adapting varietals that are characteristically Argentinian to the local Australian environment. In many ways, the most exciting part of the journey has just begun. We have arrived at the point where our ambitious plans come to fruition.

In 2010, we released our first vintage of Torrontes, sold exclusively through our cellar door and online store. Over the years we have fine-tuned the process and experimented with a novel frizzante style that is most popular amongst our loyal customers.

A little bit of history

Interestingly, the origin of Torrontes has been an issue of broad-ranging discussion amongst many wine experts, but its relationship to the Europe Mediterranean Muscat is undeniable. A proof of this bond is its fragrant and unmistakable aroma, resembling roses, jasmine, and geranium, with occasional spicy essences. The first cultivation of Torrontes dates back from the times of the Spanish Conquistadors. Ever since it became one of the most cultivated grape varieties of Argentina. Recently, its use has been expanded to include sparkling and fortified wine, with excellent results in both cases.

This article was originally published in the December 2021 Issue of the Wine Showcase Magazine. It has been reproduced here with minor amendments.

Purchase Torrontes here

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Carmenere – a colourful past and a vibrant future

St Ignatius Vineyard — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A tale of resilience and rediscovery

In the aftermath of the devastating Phylloxera outbreak of the 19^th Century, which nearly eradicated its vineyards in Europe, Carmenere seemed destined for oblivion. However, this tenacious grape found refuge in the New World, specifically the fertile soils of Chile. Intriguingly, it was initially mistaken for Merlot due to its similar wine profile.

It wasn’t until the late 20^th century that vignerons – who were trying to understand why some Merlot paddocks were producing superior wines – thought to question their clonal selections. With the assistance of researchers, they conducted DNA testing and discovered that many of the Merlot vines in Chile were in fact Carmenere. This rediscovery led to a resurgence of interest in Carmenere as a distinct grape variety – both as a single varietal and in blends.

From France to Chile to St Ignatius Vineyard

It is this, one of the most ancient European fine wine varieties, that piqued the interest of Enrique Diaz. Enrique was inspired to plant and produce Carmenere in the Victorian Pyrenees, both because of its history and versatility as a grape varietal. The specific vines used during the planting originally came from Chile and are identified as clonal selection SAVII01. The vines have prolific growth, vigorous canes and adapt well to the climate.

The history of Carmenere tells a story of resilience and rebirth. It strikes a chord with our own journey of adaptation and continual growth.

Origins of the name

Carmenere takes its name from the French word carmin, which translates to crimson. It is thought to have been inspired by the vibrant colour of the leaves during autumn (pictured below). Carmenere is part of the family of grape vine varietals that comprises Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Wine profile

When ripened properly in a warm climate, the wines are bold with a deep violet colour, high tannin, and medium to high acidity. On the nose, the wines can have notes of red and black fruits, spice, smokiness and herbs. On the palate, you can expect raspberry, dark chocolate and hints of green capsicum and paprika. These peppery aromas, a result of the grapes’ high levels of pyrazines, grant Carmenere its distinct identity. It’s a wine that leaves an indelible mark on the senses.

Pairing options

This wine complements a diverse range of dishes. Whether you’re relishing grilled meats, exploring savory sauces, savouring a succulent roasted chicken or sharing a cheese platter, Carmenere elevates your culinary experience.

Join us in celebrating the resurgence of this extraordinary varietal. As you raise a glass in appreciation, let the rich history and intricate flavours of this wine transport you to a realm of wonder. Here’s to the rediscovery of Carmenere – a wine whose story is just beginning, and whose allure is boundless.

Buy Carmenere Now

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Highlights of the 2023 harvest at St Ignatius Vineyard

St Ignatius Vineyard — Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A snapshot of the season

As the sun dipped lower in the sky and the gentle breezes of autumn swept through the paddock, it was clear that the 2023 harvest was something truly special. This year, mother nature bestowed upon us the gift of cooler and more moderate weather, creating the perfect conditions for a low-yield, high-quality vintage.

The blessing of cooler weather

The 2023 season saw temperatures lower than usual, facilitating a slow and gentle maturation of fruit on the vine. This extended ripening period allowed the fruit to develop flavours and aromas with grace and finesse. As a result, the wines are brimming with complexity and character, showcasing the full range of diversity that our vineyard has to offer.

Delicate white wine and rose

Owing to the bountiful rains of previous La Niña years, dams were filled to capacity and growing conditions were particularly suitable for producing lower alcohol, aromatic white wines and roses. This encouraged us to embark on an exciting journey in oenology by producing our inaugural Malbec Rose and Malbec Blanc (yes, you read that right – you really have to see it to believe it).

The Malbec Blanc and Malbec Rose boast an alluring bouquet of delicate floral notes and vibrant fruit flavours, including grapefruit, strawberry and cherry.

Balanced red wines

The 2023 red wines are also a testament to the cooler season and mild growing conditions. These wines exhibit a delightful prominence of lighter red fruits – such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. These wines are a harmonious blend of elegance and finesse, showcasing a more delicate side of our red varietals. With the benefit of ageing in barrels, these wines will be ready to drink young and enjoy in a more ‘al fresco’ style than is traditional of the Pyrenees region.

A vintage to remember

This season has drawn comparisons in the region to the exceptional 2017 vintage. Like that season, the wines from this year have excellent balance, owing to the gentle maturation over the late summer and early Autumn months. As with any year, the 2023 vintage has had its struggles, but we are proud to present wines that are a true reflection of our dedication to quality and our commitment to crafting exceptional vintages with you soon.

Make sure you get your hands on the limited release Malbec Blanc and Malbec Rose before they sell out!

Purchase Malbec Blanc

Purchase Malbec Rose

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A visit to St Ignatius Vineyard warms the soul

St Ignatius Vineyard — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:01:39 +0000

Enrique and Silvia Diaz have put together with their own hands a beautiful boutique winery and planted their own vineyards, on the Sunraysia Highway 5km south of Avoca.

A history of winemaking

Enrique’s winemaking heritage has followed him over 3 continents, starting with his great grandfather Fernando who was a winemaker in Reggio Emilia – Parma Region in Italy. He later migrated to Argentina where he also made wine.

Enrique and Silvia also migrated, but this time to Australia. They chose a site to plant vines near where a group of Frenchmen discovered gold in 1859, creating the famous “Clare Castle” gold rush.

From dreams to reality

They started planting in 1992 and by 2001 the vineyard has grown to 20 acres and is planted to Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sangiovese.

On 6 March 1999, their new winery and cellar door opened its doors, designed by Silvia who is an architect by profession. Its high roof and wide verandas provide a cool environment in summer and an ideal place to enjoy a wine tasting.

Enrique is an electronic engineer by profession. He has designed and built much of the winemaking equipment. He is meticulous in his winemaking and on my visit I noticed his winery was spotlessly clean and well organised.

The wines at St Ignatius Vineyard carry names connected with events in the region. Djarmbee is the name for their Shiraz – it is aboriginal for friend – and some of their other names are Clare Castle and Tango (a little South American touch).

The wines at St Ignatius Vineyard certainly do justice to the family motto: “Vinum cum amore” – we care about our wines with love and dedication. A visit to St Ignatius Vineyard is one that warms the soul.

This article was originally published in 2001 in The Australian and New Zealand Wine & Food Pictorial Atlas, authored by Thomas Hardy. It has been reproduced here with minor amendments.

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