Mclaren Vale wine gem unearthed with SubTerra

Gemtree Wines has unearthed (literally) a new gem with the launch of SubTerra, a premium quality McLaren Vale single-vineyard shiraz, and the first wine in the world to be ‘returned to the earth’ in a barrel to age.

Aged in a wax-coated French oak barrel buried deep in the soil underneath the vines where the grapes for the wine were handpicked, the earth provided a perfect natural temperature controlled cellar for the wine to mature.

It’s a technique inspired by ancient Georgian winemakers who fermented their wine in clay pots called Amphoras, which were sealed using a thick layer of olive oil at the top and buried in the ground to age.

However, it has never been done in a wine barrel until now.

Gemtree’s Winemakers, Mike Brown and Joshua Waechter, said the original idea came towards the end of vintage while discussing winemaking with the team over a few beers after a long, day in the cellar.

“We thought the winemaking process starts in the vineyard, why not return the wine to its roots to age and continue its connection to the earth,” said Mike.

“The idea fitted with the winery’s biodynamic and organic ethos, minimal intervention approach, so we thought it was worth a try while also giving ourselves the greatest chance of success.

“We’ve never been afraid of trying new things to explore what’s possible.”

The hand-picked grapes for SubTerra were selected from a small, protected vineyard with alluvial soils and a geology dating back millions of years giving the fruit a very distinct and unique flavour.

The wine was fermented on its skins for five days until the tannin profile was balanced and then pressed before being transferred to a three-year-old barrel for the remainder of primary and secondary fermentation.

In keeping with Gemtree’s biodynamic philosophy, the barrel was returned to the earth on the March equinox, when the earth was breathing in, and buried two metres below ground beneath the original vines. It was then aged until the Spring equinox.

“The excavation was like an archaeological dig with great care taken not to damage the barrel which had by now been enveloped and protected by the earth through one of the wettest winters on record,” said Mike.

“After lifting the barrel from the earth, removing the chive then tasting provided the nerve-racking moment but we needn’t have worried – the wine was extraordinary. Purity, vibrance, energy, balance were all there.

“The wine was racked off its lees and decanted straight into bottles, where it was hand corked, sealed with beeswax and bottle aged for ten months. Only 240 bottles were produced.”

Gemtree Wines is expecting wine buyers to be intrigued by the process but delighted by the quality of the wine, which will be launched for sale via the winery’s website on December 2nd - priced at $180 a bottle.

The wine will be on sale exclusively through the Gemtree Wines website.

Gemtree is a family owned winery dedicated to growing better wine, naturally.

About Gemtree Wines

With minimal intervention in the winemaking process and a more environmentally conscious farming system, Gemtree produces certified organic and biodynamic wines express the true characteristics of each grape variety and the region.

Husband and wife team Mike Brown, Chief Winemaker, and Melissa Brown, Viticulturist, work together to grow our award winning Gemtree Wines.

Winegrowers for more than 30 years, Gemtree Wines now own 306 acres of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in McLaren Vale and have been awarded 5 stars winery recognition by James Halliday since 2009.

In the heart of their vineyards is the sustainably built Gemtree Cellar Door and Biodynamic Hut, where visitors can taste through the range of Gemtree Wines and learn first-hand the principles of farming biodynamically.

Adjacent the cellar door is the Wetlands Ecotrail - a haven for frogs, birds and animals with six interlinking dams and 50,000 natives planted over 10 hectares.

For more information visit gemtreewines.com

Issued by Simon Hatcher, Hughes PR, 08 8412 4105