THOUGHTS FROM THE CELLAR DOOR
The views from our cellar door are sensational at the moment, and its the ideal spot to sit in front of our cosy fire, enjoy a wine tasting and admire the pruners as they methodically work their way up and down the many rows of vines.
The cooler (cold!) winter days certainly haven’t deterred visitors to our cellar door though. We’re enjoying having first time visitors, as well as seeing plenty of returning ones, excited to replenish their stocks of First Ridge Wines!
Our 2021 Prosecco, 2021 Pinot Grigio and our 2019 Barbera have been as popular as ever, and stock levels of all three are now low, but we eagerly await the bottling of our 2022 Vintage and our 2021 Barbera.
Our 2021 Sangiovese, 2021 Marco blend and 2021 Montepulciano continue to impress visitors to our cellar door with all three proving to be very popular.
Look forward to seeing you at the Cellar Door!
Graeme and the Team
Winter in the Winery
The first of the heavy frosts signal the beginning of pruning and the preparation for Vintage 2023. A daunting thought given Vintage 2022 has only just finished. The only comfort is that there’s plenty of work in the winery, so I politely decline any suggestion of being involved in the early morning pruning…, there have to be some perks!
What prevents me being handed a pair of secateurs you may ask? Well, 2022 white wines and Rose’ are busily being prepared for bottling in in time for Spring drinking, and the balance of the 2021 red wines, namely the Barbera and Marco blend, will be heading to bottle after their maturation in oak. So, whilst it’s still busy, I tip my hat to the men and women working in the frost!
James Manners – Wine Maker
Viticulture Report
Winter is now upon us, and several large frosts and some very cold days see the vines now in a fully dormant state.
All the leaves have dropped, which signals the commencement of pruning, the very first process of Vintage 2023. Pruning is the single most critical process in setting up the vines for the 2023 Harvest. All the blocks have been reviewed, and set bud numbers are determined for each block. We set bud numbers to assist in yield management, so not too much and not too little, but balanced levels of production to achieve the production of premium quality wine grapes.
This winter we’re implementing a combination of spur pruning in set blocks and increasing the overall area that will be cane pruned. The cane pruning area has been increased to focus on lifting the quality of set varieties to a higher level. Pruning commenced in June with completion expected by end of July. Once completed, we shift to nutritional management.
Soil tests which were taken in March 2022 are interpreted and the recommended soil health programs are applied. First Ridge is focusing on sustainable production and our approach to nutrition is using natural products and biology to improve soil health. Winter is also the time we implement trellis management and irrigation management to ensure all is in working order. It’s also the first stage in setting up for in season canopy management. This involves all foliage (lifting) wires being dropped and secured in place ready for lifting in the November period. Winter months are a busy period in the vineyard and the management practices implemented set up the vines for the Vintage ahead.
Paul Baguley – Viticulturalist
Weddings are even more special with First Ridge
If you’re planning on having your big day in the quintessential Australian wine region of Mudgee and want to treat your guests to a true ‘local’ experience, you might be pleased to know that we can supply our broad range of classic Italian varietal wines as part of your reception catering.
In order for you to familiarise yourself with the First Ridge range of wines, we’d like to invite you and your partner to our award winning Cellar Door for your own private tasting.
For enquiries and to gain an appreciation of how to match our extensive range with food, feel free to contact Graeme on 0418 161 132.
2022 Winter Specials
2021 SANGIOVESE 6 PACK
$140 + Freight
WHITES & ROSÉ
$135 + Freight
1 X 2021 VERMENTINO
2 X 2021 FIANO
3 X 2021 ROSÉ