“Candlebark Hill Wines, Kyneton, Macedon Ranges, VIC, Australia”
{Our vineyard}
Candlebark Hill Wines was established by David Forster in 1987 when 40 acres of high country grazing land on the edge of Kyneton, at the southern end of Black Range in the Shire of Macedon Ranges, was purchased for the proposed vineyard. The majority of the property has an easterly aspect, with a small portion facing north-west on the far side of the ridge. The main eastern slope overlooks the Piper's Creek valley and offers panoramic dress circle views of Mount Macedon, Camel’s Hump and the Cobaw Ranges. The Old Block vineyard on the
eastern slope reaches 540 metres above sea level and the High Block vineyard beyond the
ridgeline is at 570 metres.
The term “Candlebark” refers to the Candlebark tree, Eucalyptus Rubida, which is native to the region. We have planted many hundreds of Candlebark trees on the property, both for ornament and as windbreaks.
Initially, the eastern facing Old Block vineyard was planted mainly to Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, with small plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Some years later the High
Block was planted to Chardonnay, with small plantings of Shiraz and Malbec.
Our vines are close planted by Australian standards, with approximately 1000 vines to the acre.
The Macedon Ranges is uniquely suited to the production of premium still & sparkling wines.
The soil is light granitic sandy loam, which restricts grape yields, producing premium wines of great colour,
flavour and complexity. The high altitude cool nights extend the ripening
season, further intensifyingthe flavours, ensuring copybook wine balance, firm acidity and
low pH, leading to wines of extraordinary longevity.
Our vines are hand pruned and are managed with a minimal level of intervention, resulting in very small yields, typically producing between 100 and 300 cases of each variety per vintage. During the 2013 vintage, all of the crop from our small plot of Malbec vines was set aside for the first time to make a straight varietal Malbec wine. Only enough Malbec was produced for around 35 cases of wine, to be released in 2014.
{Our Wines}
Our hand made wines also receive minimal intervention during the making and maturation process. Our wines are unfiltered, where appropriate, and are free of milk, egg and fish products . Wooded wines are given generous barrel maturation in new and old French, American and Eastern European oak, acquiring additional complexity and toasty oak characters.Wines from our Kyneton vineyard are suitable for long cellaring, drink well at the time of release and would also benefit from further cellaring.
{Awards}
Candlebark Hill wines have received many accolades from wine experts, and have been awarded a number of Trophies and Medals against local and international competitors.{Notable awards include:}
{Online Purchasing of Our Wines}
Soon this website will give you the opportunity to purchase our wines online using our secure shopping basket and Paypal.» Go to the RED WINE
» Go to WHITE WINE
» Go to the SPARKLING WINE
» Go to DESSERT & FORTIFIED WINE