1998 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz

We planted our ‘Contour Block’ just ten years ago but it is situated at the very site where the first selector, W.H. McIntosh, planted his vineyard. The land still bears the imprint of this early vineyard with a series of contours running across the face of the sloping hill. When we came to ‘re-plant’ this block we discovered some of the finest soils on the whole property.

Looking at the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard today it is hard to believe that it started out as a scrub block with a scattering of tin sheds. In 1963 an Italian immigrant family, the Fratins, had dreams of creating a little piece of Veneto here in Australia. They worked hard at clearing the land to make way for their vines and chestnuts. Finally, Don, Lino and Serge Fratin replanted the first vines on Mount Langi Ghiran and in doing so, created the iconic “Langi” Old Block Shiraz.

The brothers continued planting vines, adding Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Franc however, not satisfied with just grapes they planted chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and some fruit trees. The grapes were sold to the Seppelts winery in Great Western with just a little kept back for their own purposes. The cellar they built into the side of the hill was a feast for the senses, the rafters sagging with salami, and other smallgoods, and stillage racks holding the new vintage’s wines in barrel.