The Virgilius Viognier

After more than 40 years we believe Eden Valley has proved its place as one of the great homes of Viognier. The ‘new’ clones, imported by the Yalumba Nursery, are starting to mature and bear fruit that we can compare to each other and our established vineyards. Half of this blend comes from the oldest vines planted in 1980, the balance from another vineyard of the same clone that was planted in 2004. Eden Valley experienced its second below average rainfall winter in a row. The vines grew well through budburst and a warmer than average October. Cool November weather delayed flowering which coincided with warm, windy weather resulting in fewer grapes set. Warm, dry December and January days kept berries small until late January when 35mm of rain fell. Cooler than average day and night temperatures provided perfect ripening conditions, resulting in lovely texture, intense aromas and flavours.

Fermented and matured for 10 months in mature French oak barriques and puncheons