It is impossible not to notice the daily dramas that play out in the sky to our west. Here a spring storm builds over Mt Buffalo, only to pass again without wetting the hay that lies waiting to be baled.
Trophy “Best Tempranillo” – 2019 Winewise Small Vignerons Awards
Mayford 2018 Tempranillo (Alpine Valleys, Victoria) ★★★★★
Mayford is a leading contender for the title of Australia’s best Tempranillo. From Porepunkah, near Bright in Victoria, this tempranillo is lively and complex, showing a little whole-bunch complexity to complement the spicy red fruit. A touch of classy French oak completes this finely structured, savoury tempranillo.
Lester Jesberg – Winewise
The beautiful Alpine Valleys boasts a dynamic food culture as well and spectacular landscapes and artisanal wine. Take this short tour to meet three or the region’s passionate producers. And yes, you might encounter me along the way…
Mayford recently received the 2019 Gourmet Traveller Wine Cellar Door “Best Tasting Experience” award for the Alpine Valleys region. A lovely endorsement of what we do here.
A sensationally warm and dry finish to vintage 2018 has every available vessel full of fermenting grapes. Not a lot of room to move in the winery but so wonderful to have the crop safely in, and of such exceptional quality.
It’s times like this late on a hot Sunday afternoon in spring when you wonder if it is all worthwhile. Quality family time in the vineyard. Hopefully the marvellous assortment of special Shiraz and Tempranillo clones that we are planting on our new rocky hill block will prove our toils worthwhile in years to come.
Mayford are winners!
Chair of Judges Trophy and Gold Medal, Class 17
The North East Victoria Wine Challenge celebrates the diversity of North East Victorian wine varieties from the 5 wine regions.
Jane Faulkner (Wine Matters), chair of the judging panel, ensures high quality and integrity in judging these wines. Jane has extensive experience & knowledge of alternative varieties and remains chair of the judges at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. Other judges include Justin Purser (Bests Wines), Steven Paul (Oakdene Wines), associates Blair Jensen (Gapsted Wines) and Julie Holm (Ringer Reef Wines).
Friends and family travelled far and wide to join us for a very special dinner in the winery to mark our tenth anniversary. Chef Michael Ryan, of Provenance Restaurant in Beechworth matched gorgeously rustic regional food to a careful selection of Mayford museum wines. A few yarns were shared and this milestone was well and truly celebrated.
A group of photography enthusiasts gathered recently at Mayford to roast some chestnuts, taste some fine wine (and Bright Brewery beer) and snap the late autumn sunset. For more images search #bright17instameet on instagram, facebook and twitter.
The somms from MoVida came to Mayford this month to check in on vintage and taste some wines. Produce from the region (including Mayford Tempranillo) will feature at a special five course lunch at MoVida Aqui on Saturday 24 June. See MoVida High Country Lunch at movida.com.au for details and bookings.
We’re planting 300 Shiraz vines on our rocky hill block this week continuing with our gradual clonal expansion program. This is what they have to send roots into. We like our children to experience a bit of hardship in their early years… we find that it builds strength of character and makes them much nicer people in the longer term.
They say good things come to those who wait. I’ve waited seven years to get doors for my little winery, and now here they are, crafted by our talented friend Ant Foubister of Ground Up Earth Builders. I think they were worth the wait.
November was a golden month for Mayford. We don’t subscribe to many wine shows but continue to enter Australia’s national Alternative Wine Show (AAVWS) each year as a benchmarking exercise for our Tempranillo. Mayford 2015 Tempranillo picked up a gold medal this year at the 2016 AAVWS and in the same month we found out that our 2014 Tempranillo was awarded gold at the 2016 Six Nations Wine Show. Good news all round.
