The Vineyard
This celebrated vineyard of just 12.3 hectares rises up an easterly facing slope from 100m to 160m above sea level. With latitude of 41°, the vineyard shares similar conditions to that found in Champagne.
Tea trees, eucalypts and ferns protect its terrior on all sides, whilst sea breezes from nearby Bass Strait moderate day and night temperatures, thereby encouraging the grapes to ripen evenly.
On the western border of the property lies the extinct volcanic crater which created the vineyard’s rich basalt soils. These soils are of a moderate depth and so provide excellent drainage to avoid spring water logging, thereby keeping the vines in relatively good balance.
The majority of vines exceed 20 years of age and derive from clones sourced from Yalumba’s Vine Nursery. Featuring typical early ripening characteristics which assist in advancing grape maturity, these clones make an important contribution to the vineyard’s consistent cropping pattern.
The trellis is mainly Scot Henry which is used to increase exposure to sunlight. During summer, Tasmania offers the longest sunlight hours in Australia, with the days remaining cool, rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
These unique conditions mean very few blocks require irrigation but where a vigour supplement is needed we are using natural mulches to assist with vine performance.
These features all combine to deliver perfect conditions for growing Pinot Noir wine grapes.
The Winemaker, Natalie Fryar
Natalie Fryar grew up surrounded by vineyards in Reynella (south of Adelaide). By the time she was 12 she knew she wanted to be a winemaker, “A friend’s father was a winemaker at Kaiser Stuhl in the Barossa. One day he showed us around the winery and from then on I was hooked. I couldn’t believe a job like this existed!” says Natalie.
Natalie began her winemaking studies at Roseworthy Agricultural College, and has since spent time working with some of Australia’s best known producers: Seaview Wynns, Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale, and Lindemans Karadoc. Since January 2001 Natalie has achieved great success as Winemaker for Jansz Tasmania which, like Dalrymple Estate, is owned by the Hill Smith family. An established leader within the Tasmanian wine industry, Natalie now turns her attention to Dalrymple and that most celebrated Tasmanian table wine variety – Pinot Noir.
Her philosophy is firmly focused on the vineyard, saying “It’s all about getting to really know the fruit you are working with and having a close relationship with the viticulturists and growers. And of course, being passionate about turning great fruit into great wine!”
The Closure: Vino-Lock
Dalrymple current vintage wines are now in Vino-Lok closure. A reusable and recyclable glass stopper that whilst preserving the pure fruit flavours of the wine is both functional and stylish.
