Mayford Wines – 5 Stars / 5 Wine Glasses

Mayford Wines Rating 5 Stars & 5 Wine Glasses. The roots of Mayford go back to 1995, when forester Brian Nicholson planted a small amount of shiraz, since extended to its present level with 0.8ha. Chardonnay (1.6ha) and tempranillo (0.6ha). In the words of their backgrounder, in-house winemaking commenced shortly after he selected his seasoned winemaker bride in 02, and the first Mayford wines were released in 07. Wife and co-owner Eleana Anderson became a Flying Winemaker, working four vintages in Germany while completing her wine science degree at CSU (having much earlier obtained an arts degree). Vintages in Australia included one at Boyntons Feathertop (also at Porepunkah), where she met her husband-to-be. Initially, she was unenthusiastic about the potential of tempranillo, which Brian had planted after consultation with Mark Walpole, Brown Brothers viticulturist, but since making the first vintage in 06 she has been thoroughly enamoured of the variety. Eleana practises minimalist winemaking, declining to use enzymes, cultured yeasts, tannins and/or copper.

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion