Sixty-Second Swirl – Another one for the never-seen-before files this week. Vineyard 1207 is situated on a high slope along Nanima Road – 1207 Nanima Road to be precise. Head to Brett and Leonie’s website to be stirred by their story of the “sentinel” tree that strikes their label. The vineyard was established in the ‘90s and has been planted out with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay – all varieties that can magically wave their wine wand in our cool climate. This week’s ‘swirl’ is a cracking blend – the Vineyard 1207 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019.
This wine is deeply dark and has a brooding plum red colour in the glass with bright purple edges. A swirl invites aromas of macerated black cherries and deeply ripened plums with a crack of cool-climate spices including cloves, white pepper and star anise. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe cherry and plum flavours with a lovely lick of acid, well-balanced fruit sweetness and a shake of silky-smooth tannins. This is a fantastic food wine, especially at this time of year.
We enjoyed our bottle with homegrown and roasted pumpkin, pepita and pesto pasta and went superbly well together. This wine would go equally well with a tomato-based, slow braise of beef, grilled rosemary and garlic-infused lamb chops straight from the BBQ, or a simply seared sirloin steak. We bought our bottle from the fantastic local wine selection at the Yass Valley Information Centre, but you can also buy it for $30 online.
Brent Lello
Yass Valley Times Wine Columnist
From the Winemaker
Brett is very pleased with the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot which won bronze at the Canberra Wine Show.
Vineyard 1207 is a boutique winery nestled on a sheltered slope in the heart of Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine country. This family venture commenced in 2018 with the purchase of the established vineyard. We are now producing outstanding handcrafted products enjoyed by a growing customer base.
The vineyard
Situated on 80 acres, Vineyard 1207, has almost 6 acres under vine featuring Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay varieties.
The vineyard is situated on a rocky slope facing north to north-east, ranging in elevation from 610m – 660m. The vines were planted in the 1990s and are well established.
The winemaker
Brett is the winemaker at Vineyard 1207.
Brett is a qualified chemical engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the food industry and a very long love affair with wines. Making wines has been his lifelong goal and he has taken to the ‘art’ like a duck to water. Brett’s winemaking philosophy is to produce a wine that people will enjoy and to genuinely reflect the unique characteristics of the vineyard from which the grapes originate.
The label
High on the hill at Vineyard 1207 stood this strong and determined tree. A silent sentinel keeping watch over the vines and welcoming visitors. Close to 100yrs old before it died and continuing as a watchful guardian for many years after its death.
This tree was the inspiration for the Vineyard 1207 logo. Our graphic designer, Lauren, has captured the strength and spirit of this beautiful tree in a striking design.
Affirming its significance for the Vineyard 1207 family, after almost a century, the tree fell over in a storm the day Brett’s mum passed away. The logo is a now wonderful way to honour the memory of both.
The future
Life on the vineyard is busy. Each season we improve our management of the vineyard and learn more about making great wines. We have plans to expand the vineyard and winery and hope to open a cellar door in the next few years.
We would love you to be part of our journey.
Brett and Leonie.
