Castagna Vineyard- Genesis Syrah 2014

Vintage: 2014
Varietal: Syrah
Appellation: Beechworth GI
Vineyard Designation: Castagna Vineyard
Sulphur (SO2): 4ppm free, 35ppm total
Sugar: Dry
Acid: 6.0 g/L
pH: 3.73
Production Size: 10,000 bottles
Altitude: 500m (1640.4ft)
Vineyard Age: 17 Years
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.3 g/L
Tannin: Elevated
Alcohol %: 12.6

The Vineyard is North Facing and was planted in 1997 on what was previously grazing land. Five different clones of Syrah are grown, all of which are progeny of the original 1850s stock imported into Australia from the Rhône Valley in France. The climate is distinctly continental with hot days and cool nights during the important part of the growing season. The land is farmed biodynamically; using Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic principles – Vineyard certified by NASAA. Harvest starts in March when Julian feels the "green banana" flavors ripen out of the fruit. He checks the pH, and that is the only measurement he needs to decide when to start hand picking. The grapes are hand picked into 12kg boxes, hand sorted, and then gravity fed into the crush pad.

Soil Type(s)
Ancient (500–600 million years) decomposed granitic-loam on a base of clay

Fermentation is started with non-inoculated wild yeast, with 5 days cold soak. Fermentation temperatures to are capped at 30 degrees Celcius. Natural malolactic fermentation takes place after with minimal SO2. Elevage is twenty two months in fine grain French oak, about 50% new, with two rackings. Bottled without fining or filtration.

The Castagnas are members of ‘La Renaissance des Appellations’ an invitation only group of biodynamics producers started by the Loire Valley magnate/legend Nicolas Joly in 2003.

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