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Here we share our news, provide insight into grape-growing and winemaking, and give you our best tips for enjoying wine (and wineries!).
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Our New Challenge
It's vintage time in the Barossa! In between picking, pressing and fermenting grapes, Scott and I are still meeting our customers at the cellar door each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we are asked during vintage time. How do we decide when to pick grapes? We use a range of factors to choose when to pick the grapes, with the most important being the various aspects of 'ripeness' of the fruit. these aspects include: Baume: This is the sugar content, and therefore alcohol potential, of the grape. Whites are usually ripe at around 10.5-13.5 Baume, and reds at 13-15 Baume, and in March conditions in Eden Valley most varieties ripen at about 0.8-1 Baume per week. This is a good rough indicator but because seasons and vineyards vary, it's not enough to know if the grape is ripe. Acidity: We measure the pH, and the 'titratable acidity' of juice, and it's more important in whites than reds. The titratable acidity is a better measure of how the wine will taste, a juice above 8.5g/L acidity will often be too tart (depending on the variety, style and sweetness we're aiming for), and many years we pick whites as soon as the acidity has dropped past 8.5. Grape taste & looks: As well as these simple measurements, we also look at a range of factors on the grape itself: How plump it feels, the colour of the seeds and stems, how thick the pulp is, and how the juice and skins taste. Based on these ripeness aspects, we will look at the weather forecast to predict how long it is until the grape is ready to pick. Hot weather ripens faster than cold, up to about 36deg. Above 36 it's possible for the vines to shut down and stop ripening entirely until the weather cools down, so it's important we test grapes just before and after heatwaves like the one we've just had. As we get closer to ripe we will test more and more often, to drill down to the exact date we want to pick. What do you do with the pressed grape skins? We feed them to our sheep!
Why learn about wine aromas?
Not as straightforward as you'd think...
We've got the Cheesiest of Wine Pairings for you
Managing our little cellar door during COVID has resulted in a number of learnings for us including a surprise one, that both our visitors and us have really enjoyed our booked experiences. Making an appointment means we can do a range of fun wine experiences which just can't work when we're flat out with lots of guests. This more personalised experience means plenty of one-on-one time to not only learn about our wines and all the winemaking, but also adapting to what you're feeling on the day such as a tour, getting through all the questions you might have about wine, maybe a little of the latest local banter or a serene picnic out on our lawn doing your own thing. We know sometimes booking can be a chore, so we've made it as easy. We've set it up so you can book on our website, directly from Facebook or Google, the old fashioned way by just giving Bec a call on 0402 788 526 or send through an email on rebecca@fernfieldwines.com.au. We are really happy to have you visit whatever way works best for you. Unique Experiences
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We've just said goodbye to our old mate Dexter, making it to nearly sixteen years old. Thanks for the good times, rest in peace legend.
Top Gold for our Shiraz Cab & 30% off to celebrate!
Not sure what we think about Black Friday as a concept, but we just took this not-even-humble-brag photo of us with our TOP GOLD certificate for our Shiraz Cabernet, so it feels right to give you a special deal today on this TOP GOLD wine. 30% off with the code BLACKFRIDAY, ends 10pm tonight. Did I mention it won TOP GOLD? #excited
Our 2024 All Peachy Rosé is finally back on the shelf!
This is definitely not a boring or overly sweet rosé. We pull out all stops to bring you a complex and interesting rosé, guaranteed to brighten your day. Barrel fermented on French oak, with a slightly sweet palate, balanced acidity, and peaches in abundance.
Check out more details from the link in the comments...
Check out my mate in the vineyard, a black dragon. Don't normally see them this dark.
Big thanks to our little pruning team (our parents) for another year done!
You have done an awesome job putting up with our ever increasing list of details to cover (there's even a training presentation 😄). All nicely setup for hopefully a great vintage ahead.
An exciting time for us here at Fernfield - Our first Mencia release!
We've been working away fine tuning this one for the last six years and are finally ready to share this with you all. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Got the fire roaring this morning 🔥🍷
Cheeky rainbow amongst the stormy weather
Looks like Sauvy is back on the menu!
We reckon it's our best one yet 🥂
Meet our new greeting buddy Russel
Side note, there's massive special currently available to our newsletter members. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter now, and we will send it to you so you don't miss it:
https://www.fernfieldwines.com.au/sign-up
Nice to be getting some hints of green return to land
We're off for a short family holiday this weekend (Xavier's first plane ride) and back to normal opening hours next Friday the 14th of June.
Last press for vintage
The nets come off and things are looking all peachy for our rose'
#boutiquewine #edenvalley
You need to get the tongue involved when plunging the wines 😅
This little guy chilling on the bunches
#boutique #vineyard #nature
Shiraz all picked in another successful family picking day, big thanks everyone!
#boutique #familywinery #madebyhand
Cracking day for wine tasting!
#boutique #winery #EdenValley
Had this rainbow following me while testing the grapes, hopefully a good omen of things to come 🤞
#boutique #husbandandwife #vineyard #Barossa
We have a winner for our Experience Eden - Wine & Cheese Pairing Pack
Congratulations Rachel Bigg @rachyjoy_4
Sorry to those that missed out! If you got the excited to try it out or thought it might make a great gift, you can find it on our website: www.fernfieldwines.com.au/experience-eden
We're giving away an Experience Eden Wine Pack valued at $185 RRP!
We've been at it again, doing the hard yards for you of tasting and testing numerous wine and cheese pairings to put together a pack of the most tasty, fun and interesting pairings we could find.
The pack has four wines and four cheeses and guided tasting notes, with a RRP value of $185
Just like & comment "I love wine & cheese" to be in the draw. Also available to enter on Facebook.
Winner will be announced next Friday 🎉
Our little man helping out with picking and crushing Grenache this weekend. Certainly knows how to get dirty 😅
Did anyone catch the incredible reds in the sky tonight!?
Side note; this old gum is one of our favourites and features on our "The Old River Red" wine label range and I thought I'd give a quick heads up that we have our next vintage Shiraz Cabernet just about to release and we're hoping you'll find it a cracker!
There are some benefits to the night shift sauvy picking, like the cool breeze and moonlight scenes
#vineyard #boutiquewines #harvest24photocomp
Vintage has kicked off with our Eden Valley Sauvy! Already packed full of tropical fruit, we can't wait to see how it comes together and share it with you all. For those doing our winery tours, we'll make sure you get to taste where it's at in it's journey. Riesling is just around the corner.
Lovely colours this evening
Today we celebrate our little legend Bandit's 10th year amongst the vines with us
Sorry team, we're closed this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) for beach adventures and to catch up with family that are heading overseas. Open today and see you again on Monday.
Hanging out in the vineyard with my little friend
The sun sets on a hot day in the vineyard
#EdenValley #Barossa #Sunset
PSA our barrel fermented rose' is back!
#boutique #rosé #EdenValley
As the land turns to golden hues, the lush green of the vineyard sets the contrast
#farmlife #vineyard #wine
Have you looked outside today? I hope you can follow a road that leads you to sunshine and good wine!
Lazy Sunday arvos next to the old horse hitching post
All the shoutouts to Amy @splitpants_productions pictured here celebrating with us after the Wayward Girl WON the national PackWine 'Best Classic Package Design'. Amy's beautiful painting of the Wayward Girl is now proudly hanging in the cottage that inspired the label.
Dozing in the sun
Tough for some
Cracka of an arvo for it!
#Handmade #vineyard
Excited to open today's Grapegrower and Winemaker magazine and see three of our wines featured as full page photos! Thanks to the genius of @splitpants_productions, we're finalists in tomorrow's @packwineexpo design awards in three different categories. Wish us luck!
Vintage done and time for a clean up
Last grapes through the crusher today!
When you've had a couple cheeky Barossa Shiraz and are sure you've got away with it
#barossa #Shiraz #farmlife
Big day of Shiraz pressing today 👌
Around the clock care sometimes means wine plunges in dressing gowns and slippers
#boutiquewinelife
Beautifully rich and dark Merlot this year.
A particularly big thanks to the pruning team (our family) for putting up with our pedantic requirements, but it has thankfully paid off 👌🤙
A healthy rose' getting a rack and return
Somebody is pretty happy to have a picnic at our rocks on the hill today.
Nets are off and the next batch of our barrel fermented "All Peachy Rose' " is under way
Big cheers to Eden Valley Tourism & The Rowdy Group for putting together this video of our little winery!
A good time to mention we're open all Easter long weekend from 11-4pm, come out and say g'day and enjoy a drive through Eden Valley.
Barrel fermented Chardonnay
#boutique #winemaking
We thought 96pts for our Sauvy from Winestate was worth chucking on the gold sticker
#boutique #sauvignonblanc #Winner
The first grapes have arrived for vintage
#EdenValley #boutiquewine
Meet our Aunty Buzzy!
One of the benefits of running your own business that we've more recently been working out, is that you can pick out and work with talented and fun people. We're excited to be able to introduce our Aunty Buzzy who is a very talented baker and it is just awesome to be able to collaborate with her.
Scott has so many fond memories enjoying Buzzy's cooking while growing up. Buzzy has always been the preferred caterer for big family events, somehow whipping up amazing meals to feed an army in no time. This demand gradually expanded into the wider community and eventuated in her opening her own bakery last year.
Black Rock Kitchen has quickly become the place for baked goods in and around Orroroo, with her sweet and savoury creations selling out early every week. Next time you're in the Flinders you'll have to have a trip to 54 31 Collective, a community shop featuring local art, jewellery, clothing, gifts, and obviously delicious baked goods!
For us Aunty Buzzy has knocked up a custom apple, pistachio, coconut and lime biscotti to pair with our Riesling and sesame seed and cracked pepper lavosh to pair with our Merlot. You can find these in our latest "Experience Eden" packages online or just give us a call.
Plenty happening in the vineyard as the colours of veraison start to show
#boutique #winery #veraison
A few snaps from a busy season in the vineyard. Spring rain has meant big canopies and a lot of hands on canopy management, but it is so far looking promising. Here's to a good finish!
Shameless promotion of an achievement, we got a win!
Our Gold Leaf Reserve label won the Australia & New Zealand Wine Label Award, which is pretty cool for our little winery and our label designer Amy Herman at Splitpants Productions. Be sure to check her out if you need graphic design or custom artwork done!
Check out this little guy
Some strange weather in the hills tonight giving off a beautiful sunset
We are shut tomorrow (Friday) for very important work related things, sorry team!
#familybusiness #rnr #beachcamping
We've got all your summer essentials sorted - well wine and BBQ gear anyway, and who needs anything else? Our summer Experience Eden gift package is on sale until Friday and includes these four wines, BBQ tongs and your own Fernfield BBQ apron, along with important tasting notes such as the best Dad-Jokes to tell while BBQing. Get it posted to you or directly to a friend for a wine-derful xmas present https://www.fernfieldwines.com.au/experience-eden for deets and to order. #fernfieldwines #giftbox #experienceeden #dadjokes
Finding a good spot to hide
#storm #rainy #farmlife
Nice arvo for checking through our wines
#boutique #winemaking
Thunderstorm rolling through
#EdenValley #OldRiverRed #ScarTree
Happy dogs
New lambs first wobbly step and jump
I'm supposed to be taking photos of our His & Hers Experience Eden package which is going out next week, but since Hers is so much better than His, I had to stop for a snack 😂🍊👩 #Hersisalwaysbetter #ExperienceEden
We have a new release of 'The Wayward Girl'!
In keeping with the Wayward Girl tradition, it's one of our lighter reds, an easy drinking Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This vintage is a touch riper in character than the 2017, with more blackcurrant, along with herbs & spices on the nose, and gentle tannins on the palate.
Another tradition of the Wayward Girl is the ever-changing girls on the label. For this vintage, local artist and friend Amy Herman @artbyamyherman painted our 'Wayward Girl' (the painting is now hanging up in our house) and we love the way the label goes with our new caps.
Come and try at our cellar door or online at https://www.fernfieldwines.com.au/the-wayward-girl
A nice evening for it
Little mate in the vineyard
Everyone getting through the chilly weather ok? I love crunching through the vineyard when the sun is out 👍
#brrr #wintervibes
Hey check this out, five stars & 95 points! 👌
We've just had this cracka review come in for our Gold Leaf Reserve Shiraz;
"It's superbly ripe and richly expressed with dark fruit intensity, cake spice, cedar and dark cocoa characters on the nose, leading to an impressively concentrated palate that's plush and expansive. Multi-layered and wonderfully complex with a lengthy structured finish. At its best: now to 2032. $64.00. www.fernfieldwines.com.au" Sam Kim @ Wine Orbit
We'd love to share with you the final wine behind years of work, come and catch up with us sometime in Eden Valley.
Frosty in Eden Valley this morning!
#sunrise #barossa
Beautiful colours lighting up the old river redgum trees tonight
#OldRiverRed #EdenValley #Barossa
Bottling underway for our new Wayward Girl.
Loving our new bottling gear and our new label 🙂
Juicy juicy green grass certainly a benefit of the recent rains 👌
A lot of fun packaging up your latest Experience Eden wine packages!
The winter package as has become tradition, is our in-house made artisan chocolate tailored to match specific wines from our range. Can't wait to hear your take on how we did 🍫🍷
Lovely afternoon for contemplating all the things
Definitely enjoying the sneaky bits of sunshine
#countrylife #bordercollie
Becky has been busy making our chocolate pairings and you have just one day left to try it!
Check out our website to get your Experience Eden Pack 👌
#artisan #chocolate #perfectpairing
Took this one a week back capturing the end of Autumn colours
#barossa #nature
Me little mate
Dewy mornings
Having a lot of fun with a range of experiences at the cellar door
#boutiquewine #perfectpairing
There's quicker ways to fill your grape picking bucket
#CheekyMonkey
Loving the autumn colours and calming feel of vineyard that's done its job for for the year
#ThisIsOurEden
A few highlights from picking our Cabernet
#boutique #family #winemaking
Come for a drive and catch us all long weekend
Little batch winemaking
One of my little mates in the vineyard. Actually kinda cute when you aren't copping a face full web while inspecting the vineyard 😄
The severe thunderstorm warning has passed, just lucky nobody was sitting on the long drop or they may have had something scared out them 😅
Hope you've all faired ok 👍
Heads up everyone, last day to grab Autumn Experience Eden package themed...
"Best Of The Barossa"
Learn more and grab it from our website 🤙
Vintage has officially kicked off overnight with Sauvy coming in and looking 👌
#vintage2022 #husbandandwifeteam
Woo hoo, thought we'd better get our neighbour and Riesling vigneron Mark 'Barty' Bartholomeus into this one as our Riesling just received a top wine of class and gold medal at the National Cool Climate Wine Show!
The young fella getting amongst it 🤙👍
Our final staff member has had his jab, ready for us to re-open our cellar door soon!
Taking in the sky this evening 👌
#OldRiverRed
Becky sitting back having a well earned celebratory drink after a win tonight of the Cellar Door Wine Communicator of the Year 😯👍
#WCAAwards
#winecommunicator
#WineIndustry
One of our new girls 'Minny'
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