Adelaide Hills producer conceived in 2000, making minimal intervention Chardonnay near Balhannah and Pinot Noir called The Velvet Fog.
The producer
Heirloom Vineyards was conceived in 2000 as a partnership between a young winemaking student and a wine judge. Its approach is built around preserving old world tradition and old vineyards while embracing organic and biodynamic farming principles. The Adelaide Hills Chardonnay comes from near Balhannah and uses yeast as the only addition, very low sulfur, no fining and a touch of new oak. Assen's Fortalice shows nectarine, peach, apricot, citrus and apple, with almond, baked bread and creaminess from gentle oak. Lively acidity carries ripe fruit into a smooth, fresh and balanced finish. The Velvet Fog is a Pinot Noir, and fruit is sourced across South Australia.
Known for
Minimal intervention Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Notable facts
Heirloom Vineyards was conceived in 2000 as a partnership between a young winemaking student and a wine judge.
The Adelaide Hills Chardonnay comes from near Balhannah and is made with very low sulfur, no fining and a touch of new oak.
The Velvet Fog is a Pinot Noir produced by Heirloom Vineyards.
Heirloom Vineyards sources fruit across South Australia.
The story
Before The First Release
Seven long vintages of trial and error passed before Heirloom Vineyards released wines considered fine enough to pass on to future generations. The winery's first commercial release came after that testing period. The project had been conceived before the work began, but the first bottles were delayed while it continued through vintage after vintage. When a wine finally met the required standard, it could be released for commercial sale. That standard was attached to the project from the beginning: a wine fine enough to pass on to future generations.
From the atlas
Heirloom Vineyards
Heirloom Vineyards is an Adelaide Hills producer conceived in 2000, with a near Balhannah Chardonnay made through minimal intervention and a Pinot Noir called The Velvet Fog.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Named grapes
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Named Chardonnay
Assen's Fortalice Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Other named wine
The Velvet Fog Pinot Noir
Defining commitment
Preserve old world tradition and old vineyards while embracing organic and biodynamic farming principles
The Producer
At the beginning were a young winemaking student and a wine judge. In vintage 2000, the student caught the judge's eye, and their partnership conceived Heirloom Vineyards. Seven long vintages of trial and error passed before Heirloom could make a wine fine enough to pass on to future generations, and the first commercial wines followed that period.
Heirloom's commitments include preserving old world wine tradition and old vineyards, championing the best clones in appropriate sites, and embracing organic and biodynamic farming principles. Its Chardonnay from near Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills uses yeast as the only addition, very low sulfur, no fining and a touch of new oak. Fruit is also sourced across South Australia.
Place
Near Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills is the named source for Heirloom's Chardonnay. Fruit is also sourced across South Australia. Assen's Fortalice carries the Adelaide Hills place name, while the wider fruit supply comes from across the state.
Wines
The range includes Assen's Fortalice Adelaide Hills Chardonnay and The Velvet Fog, a Pinot Noir produced by Heirloom Vineyards. Assen's Fortalice is bright and pale straw in colour, with vibrant nectarine, peach and apricot on the nose, joined by crisp apple and citrus. Gentle oak adds delicate almond, baked bread and a touch of creaminess. On the palate, lively acidity enhances ripe fruit flavours. The finish is smooth, fresh and balanced.
Final Word
Fruit is sourced across South Australia, and the quality of Heirloom's wines has been consistently very good.