After a week back from amazing beautiful Cardan, Bordeaux, I thought we should share the highlights of the visit to the vineyards. Passion and commitment are running high…. I am often asked “how do you get involvement, buy-in, passion and commitment from your team?” It’s somewhat easier in a small business but basically, it’s all about time together, continuing to share the Vision and reinforcing the values of the organisation. Plus praising and thanking people for the work and responsibility they have taken. We are so so lucky to be working with an amazing team in a brilliant community. I don’t need to say any more – you will see the same sentiments coming through in this and many other blogs.
So what are the highlights, how many blogs can we write here?????
Firstly in the winery. Although the yields from vintage 2012 were small, the quality is very good. And this is all prior to oak barrel maturation. The commitment to excellence is so high in the team that they have rejected our previously used barrels and are currently searching for the perfect 3 to 4 year old barrels for our 2012 wines. Both the Cloud9 CabFranc and code named “C-3” CabMerlot are tasting nicely. As young wines, they go and up down somewhat but the core and structure of the wines are excellent. Great news.
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Winter over Hourcat Sud looking towards Cardan church.
Next, in the vineyards. Bordeaux and Cardan are very very wet at the moment. This is a proper winter. But as always our strategies are being set for 2013. Pascale and Albane have agreed the approach for pruning, organic fertilising and soil health management. After 3 years of conversion, the vineyard is officially organic. From now on, it is a question of small incremental but continual improvement. Great wine is grown in the vineyard, not created in the winery.
And finally, our other most important team – our community. To be sustainable requires the support of our local community. To be able to celebrate (again) our combined achievements and share the memory of an amazing harvest day 2012 was special. None of the above could have happened without your permission, support and interest. Thank you.
Wow, back to Melbourne…what a journey! More to follow on project Merlot in Hourcat Sud…watch this blogspace![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]