Trentham Estate is a series of wines where the goal is to make authentic wines that reflect the character of the areas and that have full grape typicity. Shiraz Estate is made of approx. 91% Shiraz, supplemented with the grape varieties Tannat, Petit Verdot, Rubired, Merlot, Nero d’Avola and Viognier (in a blend, varies by vintage), which come mainly from Murray Darling. Fermentation takes place in wooden yeast tanks and after pressing, the wine ages for 12-14 months in French and American casks, of which approx. 20% are new.
The wine has a deep, ruby red colour. In the scent you will find concentrated shades of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate. The taste is also dominated by dark berries and fruits, but also by mild spices (white pepper), coffee and a bit of vanilla from the wooden casks. The wine has a good balance between structure, alcohol and finesse. The aftertaste is rounded, harmonious and long, and at the end you feel the subtle, well-integrated barrel impression. Use it for grilled or braised meat (pork, lamb or beef) or for spicy stews.
Trentham Estate is located 15 kilometers from Mildura (New South Wales) in an area that in the 1930s was used for sheep farming. At the end of the 40s, they switched to plant breeding, and in 1952 the first vineyards were planted. In 1960, the property was bought by the current owners, the Murphy family, who had emigrated from Ireland in 1909. They focused on citrus trees, vegetables and grapes for mulled wine, but gradually changed their focus and planted more vines, which thrived sublimely in the red clay subsoil and limestone. The water supply was also secured, as water could be obtained from the nearby Murray River.
Today, you have control over 45 ha. vineyards, a state-of-the-art winery that handles 5,000 tons of grapes annually. Cellar Door facilities have also been established in connection with visits, tastings and sales, and a recognized restaurant has been opened on the property. The culmination is, for now, that James Halliday, in his 2015 edition of the Australian Wine Companion, gave the house the maximum 5 stars and the label: ‘The value for money is unfailingly excellent’. It’s hard to disagree with that assessment!
Murray Darling is Australia’s second largest wine region with a share of approx. 25% of the country’s total wine production. The Murray Darling stretches from the north-west of Victoria to the west of New South Wales, around the Murray River and Darling River. The region is often called the Big Rivers and is one of the most important areas for agriculture in Australia, thanks to a subsoil of rich deposits from the rivers. The biggest challenge is the drought, as it rarely rains (approx. 130-150 mm annually!). Although you can get water from the rivers to a limited extent, you have to partly use gentle drip irrigation in the vineyards, partly find water sources in the depths and recycle the water in the vineyards. The advantage of the drought, on the other hand, is that you can produce incredibly healthy and ripe grapes, without traces of the wine diseases that are often caused by, for example, humidity!
Murray Darling is today classified as GI (Geographical Indication) and produces mainly Chardonnay, but also Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, which have proven to give excellent results. With its approx. 25,000 ha. Murray Darling vineyards bring together some of Australia’s largest wine companies and many small family producers who, despite the harsh conditions, can produce aromatic and characterful wines, with a good balance between strength and finesse.
