The Castagna Vineyard is situated at an altitude of 500 metres outside the beautiful town of Beechworth in Northeast Victoria, high in the foothills of the Australian Alps. The soil consists mainly of decomposed granitic-loam on a base of clay. The climate is distinctly Mediterranean with hot days and cool nights during the important part of the growing season. The land is farmed biodynamically.
The vineyard is hand-pruned and the fruit is hand-picked. We crop at a bit less than two tons per acre. The winemaking is very traditional using only our own vineyard’s indigenous yeast with minimal interference. Elevage varies between 18-20 months using only the very best, tight grain French oak available, about half of which is new each year.
The English Financial Times, arguably the world’s most prestigious newspaper, did a story on Australian wine and nominated who they considered to be the twelve best Australian winemakers – Julian Castagna was on that list; an honour, indeed.
Granitic DNA defines this mid-weighted syrah. Of a mineral grind, flirtatious and energetic of ambition and crunch, this is iodine cloaked in dried seaweed and umami; blueberry, tapenade, charcuterie and sour cherry sass. Of an impeccably detailed weave of transparent acidity and moreish tannins-firm without grate-this flows long and juicy. Among the country's exemplary cool climate syrah, this is revelry and sophistication all at once.