New $500 shiraz to release

North East Victoria’s Mount Ophir Estate is about to release its 2019 Shiraz ($500), which marks the first release under the ownership team also behind Rutherglen’s All Saints Estate and St Leonards Vineyard. 

Designed to be made only in the best years, this new wine will stand alone as the only release from the historic winery, which the Brown siblings bought in 2016. Established in 1891, Mount Ophir Estate has since been revived under the new ownership, now offering premium accommodation and winery experiences. 

As winemaker Nick Brown says, they are focused on producing a high-quality shiraz, with no plans to add to the range. “Mount Ophir Estate has such an amazing history, most notably during its years of wine production. I wanted to breathe life back into the vineyard and to make a wine that speaks of the location,” he says of the Rutherglen site. 

Winemaker Nick Brown and his sisters Eliza and Angela acquired Mount Ophir Estate in 2016.  

According to Nick, it’s a combination of factors that makes this wine so special, including the unique soil profile, vineyard aspect, low yield and hand-crafted approach. “All of these contribute to the wine, showing elegance and finesse balanced by intense, complex fruit,” he says.  

Available via registration only from September 16, the 2019 Mount Ophir Estate Shiraz was basket-pressed before spending 19 months in 225-litre French oak barrels. Described as elegant in style, the wine has a medium-bodied, concentrated palate, with red and blackberry characters, and soft but long tannins. The cellaring recommendation is up to 15 years. 

For all details and to register for the wine, visit the website.