Kangarilla Road / Helen u. Kevin O'Brien
White wines from Kangarilla Road / Helen u. Kevin O'Brien
Red wines from Kangarilla Road / Helen u. Kevin O'Brien
from Kangarilla Road / Helen u. Kevin O'Brien
The Kangarilla Road estate is in South Australia, in the McLaren Vale an hour by car from Adelaide to be more precise. The region is bounded by the Gulf of St Vincent to the west and rolling countryside to the east. Vines have thrived here since 1850 and the McLaren Vale is considered one of the highest quality wine regions in Australia. The climate is marked by hot summers and mild winters under the influence of the nearby ocean. Helen and Kevin O'Brien started their business in 1997. Kevin, a winemaker with a wealth of experience earned over 20 years, is responsible for the vineyard and cellar work. Helen looks after promoting the estate and selling the wine. Kangarilla Road has 12 hectares of vines, which is very little by Australian standards. Planted in 1975 the vines have now reached a good adult age. They are grown organically and biodynamically and produce high quality grapes. The harvest is complemented by grapes bought in from other producers who meet the same production criteria. Helen and Kevin's philosophy is simple and persuasive: make wines that can stand by themselves or with food. Their work regularly wins accolades from wine critics and the press. In the 2010 edition of the James Halliday Companion the estate got 5 stars!
Producer
Château Raymond Lafon
Located in the heart of the Sauternes area, this winery comprises 18 hectares, 16 of which planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The maximum yield by law is 25 hectolitres per hectare. The yields at Raymond-Lafon average only 8 to 10 hectolitres per hectare; in other words, one vine will produce only one glass of delicious wine. Over several pickings, the grapes are harvested one by one according to their level of maturity. In some years, this can result in up to ten selected hand harvests. This alone lets one appreciate the great value of this wine.
Bodegas Ribas
The island wines from Mallorca have been blessed for years with high quality and Mediterranean charm. Along with Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is above all the indigenous varieties such as Mantonegro, Gargollassa, Callet and Prensal blanc, that make Mallorca a true “treasure island”. Grapes that exist only here reflect the unmistakable character of this unique wine island.
Rosa Bosco
Rosa Bosco, already somewhat of a legend in the oenological world of Friuli, founded her label “RB” in 1998. Her wines are vinified and aged in the de Puppi family’s traditional azienda according to the credo "quality without compromise”.