Outdated vines from Western Australia’s Swan Valley shall be protected within the soon-to-be launched Swan Valley Outdated Vine Constitution (OVC).
Greater than 20 wineries from this historic area, a 30-minute drive from the state capital of Perth, are taking part. The programme will see grapevines from 35 to 125 years of age registered and preserved.
Collaborating wineries embrace Talijancich Wines, Nikola Property, John Kosovich Wines, Mandoon Property and Sandalford Wines. Whereas the vines are predominantly Shiraz, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Grenache and Pedro Ximenez, there isn’t any limitation on what varieties will be registered.
Arch Kosovich, John Kosovich Wines. Credit score: Frances Andrijich
Winemakers James Talijancich, Arch Kosovich and Damian Hutton are the driving power behind the OVC. They hope it would preserve the Swan Valley’s outdated vineyards and permit the wines to inform a narrative that speaks of the area from a winemaking, grape rising and regional perspective.
‘A few of Australia’s oldest repeatedly producing grapevines are in Swan Valley, together with Mandoon Property’s 125-year-old Verdelho winery,’ stated Kosovich, winemaker at his household’s John Kosovich Wines.
‘The constitution, which has been modelled on an present system within the Barossa Valley, will present recognition for our fantastic outdated vines and the wines produced from these valuable fruit parcels,’ he defined. ‘It’s our hope extra areas will recognise the significance of their vineyards – and historic vines – and undertake an analogous scheme.’
Heritage and regionality
To qualify for OVC recognition, vines must nonetheless produce fruit, and proof of their planting date should be supplied. Wines made should be 100% from an OVC winery and can’t be blended with fruit from one other plot in a distinct age class.
‘Because the second oldest wine area in Australia [after the Hunter Valley in New South Wales], our grapevine heritage is what distinguishes us from different areas across the nation,’ stated Talijancich, of his household’s Talijancich Wines. ‘These vines are testomony to our European settlers who labored the land.’
James Talijancich, Talijancich Wines. Credit score: Frances Andrijich
‘Most winemakers desire to work with fruit from older vines,’ he added. ‘As soon as a vine reaches 70 years of age, the yields are low but the fruit retains an extremely excessive depth of flavour and complexity. That is why it’s so necessary to protect these valuable vines.’
Nikola Property common supervisor Damian Hutton agreed. ‘It’s important to inform the story of our regionality. And there’s no larger story to inform than of wines as they age.
‘These vines give us one thing particular to provide annually. If a vineyard sells, then the grapevines shall be preserved and their heritage shall be handed on to the brand new homeowners, which can assist maintain vineyards within the floor for future winemakers.’
