Growing the vines to make the wines

FROM starting out with just a few whites and two reds some years ago, Ros Ritchie now boasts a wine list of more than 20 varieties of both reds, whites, a rose and sparklings (picollos). Her latest release was showcased recently at the Magnolia Cellar Door where 13 new wines were introduced to approximately 60 wine lovers. “Among the new releases were a few reds which we have kept in storage for a couple of years allowing them to mature; they are lovely and very balanced in flavor,” Ms Ritchie said. One Rosé was also released along with five white and seven reds. There were three in the 2018 vintage including a Merlo, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, and a Cabernet which Ms Ritchie described as carrying a great flavor. From the 2023 vintage there were Pinot Gris, Aromatyk and a Fumé Blanc (a Sauvignon aged in French Oak). There was also a Shiraz Rosé along with two Pinots – Meumier and Noir. Ms Ritchie draws her choice of grapes from six different vineyards placed around the district. “I own two of the vineyards and the remainder I purchase the harvest each year and rely on the owners to keep the vines in good order and producing good grapes suitable for my style of wines,” she said. “Most of my wines are single varietal; the Aromatyk is my only blended wine.” The vineyards chosen for Ros Ritchie wines are in slightly different areas of the shire, being Barwite on Long Lane, Deadman’s Hill, Mansfield, then out to Sandy Creek, Barjarg, Timbertop, Baxendale and Springs Vineyard –Piries. “Managing where and when the best grapes are ready for harvest can be a challenge and a juggle, but after several years of using these vineyards we are into a routine when producing our wines,” she said. Ros Ritchie wines are available for tasting at the Cellar Door at the Magnolia on Mt Buller Road, through outlets across the region or through direct sales www.rosritchiewines.com Coming into Christmas Ms Ritchie said now is the time to order wines for the festive season including a package called Christmas Advent Calendar (24 piccolos for 24 days). Or you can go gold for Christmas with a special offer of six selected different wines - all having received Gold Medals at Australian Wine Shows. The list of award winning wines for 2023 is very impressive and includes five Gold Medals, 10 Silver and 22 Bronze - the best year yet for her awards and includes the best wine shows across Australia - along with being named in the annual Halliday Wine Selections for 2023. The Cellar Door is open on Fridays through to Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Friday Nights at the Magnolia Club runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm with live music covered by local artists – no cover charge but bookings are appreciated on 0457 535 988.

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