Organic Shiraz Best in the Region - Expert

Canowindra Region 2012 Organic Vintage Report by Jason O'Dea, Family Member, General Manager and Viticultualist, Windowrie Estate

During 2012 vintage I looked at over 200 acres of Shiraz from within 100 miles of Canowindra and have no doubt in my mind the organic blocks were cleaner (ie had less disease) than conventional vineyards. I looked at 3 different organic vineyards and maybe 10 conventional vineyards

They had less Botrytis at harvest and better colour and structure in the finished wine. It was apparent across red varieties (Shiraz and Merlot and to a lesser extent Cabernet) but was not an issue for whites as it was dry during the white harvest.

A few observations:

Canowindra Community Garden - Looking Nice and Curvy

Lets not stop with a curvy main street. The brand new Canowindra Community Garden, to be launched by no less than Costa himself next week, is looking awesome following the working bee, or better, "bendy backyard blitz", of last weekend. Looking forward to Julia's blog post on this soon, but for now, here's just a piccie I took from the shady "contemplation corner", with the lovely Simone Statham and young Floyd in the sling! In brief, we put in a curvy fence (or better, "wavelike", made from old Rosnay vineyard posts), marked out a curvy path (designed by Chris and incorporating the Fibonacci spiral), dug out the "husband killer" oleander shrubs, rotary hoed in the couch grass with compost from Canowindra Produce (vegetarian compost from straw but it smelt like poo!), put on dolomite and lime courtesy of Wooly and Margie, installed Owen and Mark's awesome steel archway gate, thanked the "Big Fella" for the free BBQ lunches that appeared in the shade of the church, washed it down with lashings of Hamilton's Bluff Sangiovese sangria, watered the compost, sprayed biodynamic 500, hung out with the kids, talked to passing wide-eyed locals, mulched with lucerne hay from Mark Ward (and others), and viola! Ready for Costa to do his magic next Thursday!
A big thanks of course to the Canowindra Uniting Church for letting it all happen in their yard, and of course, Chris for coordinating it.

A Ripper Spring of gardening, food and wine is coming up!

Its shaping up to be a busy spring... Here are a few upcoming events with Rosnay involved...

Saturday 22 October, at Canowindra, join us for the Canowindra@Home NIGHT MARKET. This event has been running for a few years now and its an excellent night out. Local producers cook up their produce in small $5 plates so you can put a great dinner together with your favourite local food and wine. Canowindra@Home is a vibrant group of producers and foodies who you can read all about on their great new website, http://canowindraathome.org.au

Thursday 27 October join us and COSTA for the official opening of the CANOWINDRA COMMUNITY GARDEN! The countdown is on before Costa, from Costa's Garden Odyssey, arrives to cut the ribbon and run workshops with the local shool kids as part of a huge launch day. The CCG Working Group aims to have enough materials and manpower on the opening day so that community participants can put down the foundations of the garden, including raised garden beds, compost heaps, worm farms, and the first of what is hoped to be many vegetable plots. CCG spokesperson Chris Cuddy says that the whole community is invited to participate in the garden in whatever way they can. “We know there are people in our community with a wealth of knowledge and experience in growing productive gardens, and there are many more who want to learn” said Chris. “We are hoping that the gardens will provide a meeting point for members of the community, whether they be gardeners, students, cooks, or people simply wanting to be actively involved within the community” he said. Approval has been given to use the grounds of the Uniting Church, on the corner of Blatchford and Short Streets, which is central and accessible for most members of the community. A working bee will be held this weekend of 15-16 October to establish a boundary fence and basic infrastructure of the garden. The group is grateful for any donations of gardening materials or tools.
Info:  Chris Cuddy on 0427 077 798.

Friday 28 October, in Orange, we have organised COSTA'S URBAN GARDEN WORKSHOP with Union Bank Wine Bar. Featuring Costa the Garden Guru as seen on SBS, who has been out to Rosnay and will be fired up following the community garden launch in Canowindra. Bring along your questions and talk to Costa in person, and check out the new sustainable and organic Union Bank kitchen garden, featuring the latest vertical garden systems. Books and the latest gardening tools will also be on display as you enjoy a free taste of Rosnay Organic Wines. This event is FREE! TIME 3.30-5.30pm BOOKINGS: Not required - just come along!

Saturday 29 October, join us for the annual ORGANIC+SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND WINE DINNER as part of Orange Wine Week. Hosted by Rosnay Organic and Jarrett Wines, this event matches the best organic wine from the neighbouring regions of Orange and Cowra with delicious local and/or organic food from the Union Bank kitchen. Learn about the true regional flavours with wine that has been grown without any nitrate fertiliser or pseticides - and have a great night out with us! Tickets are selling fast so be sure to book early.
Time: 6PM
Cost: $95 pp
Info: http://www.unionbank.com.au/news.php
Bookings essential: functions@unionbank.com.au or 1300 721 731

Rosnay comes to Sydney again for the MIND BODY SPIRIT FESTIVAL in Darling Harbour, on 3-6 November. Join Sam and Oli for a taste of the latest Rosnay wines, including the newly released "2011 Blanc". This year's MBS looks as unique, vibrant and interesting as ever. We have a bunch of free tickets so it needn't cost you a cent to get in - just call contact us through the website to let us know you are coming, and we'll have the ticket ready.
Cost: $18 adults $15 concessions, kids are FREE
Info: 03 9276 5501 or visit http://www.mbsfestival.com.au/sydney-details.htm

Time to get excited about Cowra wine!

Cowra has certainly had quite a few writeups in the last six months and as the smallest of the NSW Central Ranges wine regions it is back on the wine lovers map. Through the hard work and cooperation of the region's dozen or so vignerons, Cowra's wine quality and sustainability has never been at such a high. Rosnay is a proud part of this movement and we are glad to say that more vineyards are planning to go organic next year.

Come and visit Cowra and see what the fuss is all about.

Here are some events at Cowra and in nearby areas next month where you can taste Rosnay for yourself!

17 July: Wine Dinner at Zouch Restaurant, Young

31 July: Cowra Wine Show Public Tasting

Show circuit hits Cowra - and the Cowra wines hit Gold

Good news! Cowra winemakers are celebrating its best ever result at the 26th annual Cowra Wine Show - one of Australia’s biggest open wine shows which saw 2590 entries from 461 wineries.

With a history of producing great Chardonnay, it was fitting that a gold medal (top of class) and ‘The Ian Armstrong Trophy for Best Chardonnay of the Show’ was awarded to a Cowra wine, the 2006 Spring Ridge Cowra Chardonnay. Peter and Ann Jeffery are a very committed part of the loca industry, giving up countless hours to our vineyard association. They have been producing small batches of Chardonnay since 1997, so to get this recognition, especially within the forum of an open show such as Cowra, is just what they deserve.

Two other gold medals were awarded to Cowra wines, including the 2007 Mulyan Cowra Shiraz (top of class) and the 2007 Swinging Bridge Cowra Shiraz. The 2008 Cowra Wine Show was overseen by a respected panel of Judges including Chairman Andrew Spinaze from Tyrrell’s Wines, Lester Jesberg from Winewise Magazine, Tim Knappstein from TK Wines, Steve Goodwin from Witchmount Wines, Michael Kerrigan from Hayshed Hill and John Glaetzer from John’s Blends in South Australia. Rosnay won bronze medals for the 2006 Shiraz and the 2006 Chardonnay Semillon in the same show.

The week before at the Australia-New Zealand Organic Wine Show in Sydney (Max Allen Head Judge) Rosnay got bronzes for the 2005 Semillon, 2005 Shiraz, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2005 Triple Blend. These results show the consistency of the Rosnay wines, which have for the last four years always been among the most consistent in that show. Unlike the big corporate vineyards and some of the boutique vineyards that only make small parcels, we are not able to hand select the best sections of our vineyard for medal wining wines - we harvest all of our fruit and make it all into Rosnay wine, without any quality hierachies with heavily oaked hand selected “Reserve” or cheap “Cleanskin” batches.

So on average, we are happy with our wine quality, and we are very happy to be part of the wonderful wine region that is Cowra. Check Cowra out at www.winesofcowra.com.au . We look forward to hearing your comments on Cowra wines!