2018 Grace Madeline

The Cullen Vineyard sauvignon blanc semillon vines are on their own rootstock, and are now old vines, planted 1976-1988. They are all certified biodynamic and carbon positive with harvesting on fruit and flower days around the biodynamic calendar to give vitality and uniqueness. The vines are supported by Lyre trellising and Scott Henry for open canopies.

This year in the great vintage of 2018, we are renaming the Cullen Vineyard sauvignon blanc semillon in honour of our maternal grandmother Grace Madeline. Grace Madeline was Diana Madeline’s mother. She was born in 1895 in London and died in 1963 in Hobart, Tasmania. Grace in many ways was ahead of her time. She was a suffragette who believed in the views of Emily Pankhurst and in women’s rights, e.g. women’s right to vote, childbirth control and equality in public life. She was involved in many charities such as “Land Army Comfort Fund” and for many years she worked for the “Sunshine Association” which organized holidays for underprivileged children, and Grace was awarded an MBE for her charity work.

The new label design is taken from an etching by Gunyulgup artist Ashley Jones of a birds nest, found by Vanya in the block 5 sauvignon blanc in 1987.

This wine consists of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon made from biodynamic vines planted 1976-1988. The Sauvignon Blanc has been matured in 75% new oak for three months. Harvested on fruit and flower days and pressed to tank and barrel. With no additions of yeast or acid, it is a wine of great minerality and a strong with sense of place, singing from the glass.