The Knots Project

History – Established in 2000

Created in a whirl and swirl of a long summer lunch. The Knots was a response to the proliferation of the predictable path that wine marketing had been taking. Knot the project was a view that the range of knots would be useful as monikers for wine styles and varieties, it would be lateral yet recognizable to all- but also intriguing.

The Bendigo region we knew well from my long stint at Balgownie. The region traditionally provides rich intensely spicy red wines and selecting vineyards from the Northern and Southern parts would enable full ripe flavors with elegance.

Vineyards were selected on their potential to provide quality fruit of substance and concentration with fruit from some of the oldest vineyards (30+ years) in Bendigo being used in the Shiraz and Cabernet Merlot styles.

Knots are an expansive range of wine styles with a hallmark note of flavor and roundness. Other wines in the range include a dry Rosé made from Cabernet mainly, but will include bits and pieces of what ever variety is available, a Chardonnay made in a low oak partial malo-lactic natural acid style or the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc a full rich oak ferment style. Occasionally a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is made and only if the quality justifies.

Summary

• Established 2000
• First Release 2001
• Export Destinations : Belgium Switzerland
• Wine Shows – Bronze medals ; Rose Lashing Rosé & Sheep Shank Shiraz

Snapshot of Vintages

• Vintage 2004 - The even years and settled weather. A season which put the pressure on but the crops were excellent. Another classic
• Vintage 2003 - A 1 in 100 year drought had ravaged the land, the grapes came through with some BIG wines
• Vintage 2002 – An exceptional year with fruit ripeness and strong vines providing bright colors and flavors.
• Vintage 2001 – Mild dry conditions with an Indian summer that ran to May. Soft fruit flavors and fully mature crops.

Harvest and Winemaking

Producing the Knots as Bendigo region wines from our passionate growers, old vines and exceptional vineyard sites the 2004 vintage red wine release is from a classic year

Harvesting is in part complicated (distance ) and simplified (different sites ripen differently) for the Knots range. Decisions on harvest are dictated by what the season has been like and the potential of each vineyard. The up shot of this is the opportunity to pick grapes at the best advantage to the whole blend or the style.

The winemaking harvest procedures following similar trends to the BRIDGE although the wines are more in the modern style of wine making. Flavor is paramount on when to pick and then as much during the process with bottling after 15 months of oak maturation for reds 12 months for whites.