VINO COTTO | WOOLSHED CREEK WHITE | WOOLSHED CREEK RED | RIESLING | PINOT GRIS | CHARDONNAY | ROSE | PINOT NOIR | DINNY'S BLOCK | MERLOT | GRACIANO | SHIRAZ | TEMPRANILLO
"Dinny's Block" is actually the name of both one of our vineyard blocks, and the wine that comes from part of it.
This block is the original 1988 planting of Mount Majura Vineyard, made by the previous owner, Mrs Dinny Killen, together with her friend and Canberra District pioneer, Dr Edgar Riek.
In the larger area shaded (on the "short side") Merlot vines were planted. It became apparent that these were actually a mixture, with two-thirds one sort, and one-third another. It was very common for Merlot vines in NSW to be contaminated with Cabernet Franc. Two rows of Cabernet Sauvignon were also planted at the bottom of the "long side", except the vines ran out with six spaces left, which were filled with Cabernet Franc vines. Since these appeared different from the "other sort" in the Merlot, there was some doubt about the identity of this other sort.
With experience and careful identification, it is clear that the largest part of the block is indeed Cabernet Franc (66% of the "short side" vines), and this sets the character for the wine. Normally, the three varieties are harvested together, which means that the Merlot component is very ripe before the Cabernet Franc is ready.