Guardians of the Vines
Avondale Wines is a family owned farm run by proprietor, Johnathan Grieve, who is sometimes also known as ‘Jonty’. This exclusive range of exciting wines celebrates our natural vineyard eco-system where a posse of glossy Pekin ducks patrols our vineyards to find and eat snails which would otherwise cause serious damage to our vines. Our ducks are a highly effective, eco-friendly way to avoid using harmful chemical poisons to manage pests. This is just one of the many ways that Avondale works with Nature to produce premium quality, organically certified wines, while ensuring that our beautiful place on Earth is protected for future generations.
Jonty’s Ducks wines are slow made with natural yeast, free of all artificial additives, certified organic, low in sulphur and absolutely delicious!
VINEYARDS: 13-15 year old vines, cultivated organically. Yield of 6-8 tons per hectare.
WINEMAKING: Grapes were hand-picked at between 23-24ºB. The grapes were destemmed, crushed, after which wild yeast fermentation was allowed in closed stainless steel tanks. Fermentation peaked at 30˚C. Post-fermentation maceration was allowed. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place in small used French oak barrels. The wine was aged for 12-14 Months in 225 litre barrels (2nd, 3rd and 4th fill).
GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot
CORNé SAYS: Lots of Blackcurrant, liquorice, with a hint of dark chocolate and ground coffee. The wine has an explosion of fruit on the palate and well integrated, elegant tannins to support it. The layers of fruit and silky finish will leave you wanting more, whilst a lingering after taste makes for a rather attractive finish.
AGEING: Made to be enjoyed immediately, but will easily keep for another 7 years.
NAME: Owner Johnathan Grieve employs a “posse” of ducks, which patrol the vineyard looking for and destroying snails, which eat the vines. The ducks are an eco-friendly way to avoid using harmful chemical poisons to kill pests and act as the guardians of the vines on Avondale. See them in action. See them in action here.
ALCOHOL: 14% PH: 3.4 RS: 3.2 g/l
