Chain of Ponds
The Chain of Ponds winery was established in 1985 on the outskirts of Gumeracha, approximately 4km from the original township. While vineyards have been part of the makeup of the area since colonisation, the Chain of Ponds Winery was the first major planting of any note in the northern area of the Adelaide Hills Wine region.
Four thousand vines were initially planted, covering 9 varieties, consisting of 470 vines of each variety, which was further increased with an additional 150 acres planted in 1989. The first vintage being in 1988.
The winery has more recently extended the vineyard boundaries to source fruit from a much broader area of the region, which has added further complexities and subtleties to the wines themselves.
Chain of Ponds produces a wide range of products and varieties which are perfectly suited to this cool climate region.
The white varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Semillon and Chardonnay. The reds include popular Australian varieties: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as emerging and exciting varieties for the region: Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo.
2022 Amelia's Letter Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio 100% Adelaide Hills 100%
THE STORY OF AMELIA'S LETTER
James Caust , the Chain of Ponds blacksmith and wheelwright , visited Cornwall after the death of his wife in 1882. On the journey he wrote a beautiful letter to his youngest daughter, Amelia. It highlighted the isolation of the South Australian colony, the strong links back to their Cornish heritage and the extreme challenges faced with sea travel in the early years.
Chain of Ponds was one of the first wineries to identify and plant Italian varietals in the Adelaide Hills. Pinot Grigio is perfectly suited to this cool climate region. Made true to style, this wine is quickly gaining popularity right around Australia. The palate has good intensity and roundness. Flavours of white peach, pineapple and pear are luscious and inviting and a good tight acid backbone gives drive to the wine and a citrus undertone. Slightly creamy mildly complex finish leaves a sense of interest in the mouth with good persistence of fruit flavours surviving long after the wine is swallowed.
In the Vineyard
Selected from a single vineyard in the northern Adelaide Hills in the sub region of Gumeracha. Balanced vines with North South orientation on a steep slope allow good fruit exposure resulting in the expression of strong varietal fruit with good acid structure.
In the Winery
The grapes were hand harvested and tipped directly into the press. A gently pressing cycle was used to preserve the delicate and unique characters typical of Pinot Grigio. 5% was put to French oak for barrel fermentation and then blended with the tank for light lees contact to promote a slightly textured palate with good weight.
In the Glass
Colour Brilliant clarity with pale golden green straw and a slight green hue. Bouquet Intensely aromatic, very fresh fruit driven nose exhibiting Nashi pear, tropical rockmelon and honeydew, white peach with hints of passionfruit, citrus notes and subtle florals. Palate The palate has good fruit intensity with trueness of fruit displaying crisp pear and apple notes and sun ripened peach. Well rounded body with great minerality and drive of natural acid. Subtle textural and aromatic tannins give complexity and length to the lifted fruit finish which has great length and intensity. A perfect accompaniment to freshly shucked oysters, shellfish, white fleshed fish or equally suited to a lazy afternoon in the sun.
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