intage at Burch Family Wines is a protracted event which commences each February and concludes in April. It is a time of frenetic activity, excitement and lots of weather watching. Over the ripening period, the weather comes under increased scrutiny the closer one gets to harvest as this annual progression of the seasons, begins to shape the quality and style of the vintage.
The 2016 vintage in the Great Southern began on 6th February and concluded on 10th April. In this cool continental climate, the winter of 2015 was mild with sufficient rains to replenish catchments, spring less blustery than preceding years and the start of summer, hot. When verasion began, in mid-January, the native marri blossom was curiously absent. The “bird pressure” as we call it, can have a significant impact on quality, quantity and stress levels.
As summer passed into autumn, the more southerly of the sub regions, Mount Barker and Porongurup, spent the vintage period in and out of humid on-shore streams with rainfall to April twice the average.

Delicate and subtle fruit notes of honeydew melon.

The palate is focused and shaped by the savouy mineral texture and a fine line of acidity, typical of this cooler climate.

Flesh peach and lemon zest layered with nutmeal and lemon curd in a “mille-feuille” way.