established 1994
"Wine is sunlight, held together by water" - Louis Pasteur.
Single Vineyard Wines
Vines have been distributed between two properties in Orange according to their viticultural characteristics. Varieties which are harvested later are planted at Ynys Witrin (860-880m elevation), which is slightly lower in altitude and thus slightly warmer, allowing more ripeness to be achieved. This is an important consideration when harvest is sometimes not completed until mid-May, at the on-set of winter. Earlier varieties and those which can handle cooler conditions are planted at Brangayne (960-1000m).
The mild days and cool nights allow Brangayne and Ynys Witrin to produce fruit that retains a higher level of acid and thus greater complexity of flavour. Colours of red fruit are deep and intense whilst the white fruit produces very pale wines.
Brangayne
The Brangayne vineyard is situated 9 kilometres south-west of Orange, on Pinnacle Road, on the Eastern slopes of Mount Canobolas.
Size
20 ha, with 13.5 ha planted to vines
Grapes
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Altitude & Aspect
The elevation of the Brangayne vineyard ranges from 960 to 1,000 metres above sea level with the Sauvignon Blanc grown on the highest land. The aspect is northerly with the slopes providing good air drainage and frost protection.
Soil
Soils are deep and young - principally tertiary volcanic. The topsoil is a red/brown loam with good drainage and depth, over red clay. The underlying rock is basalt.
Climate
Brangayne is protected from wind by 100 year old radiata pine trees and temperatures are noticeably cooler than those at Ynys Witrin. A typical summer's day at Brangayne would be 25°C or less while winter maximum temperatures are typically less than 10°C with snow being not unusual. The average rainfall annually is approximately 925mm.
At Brangayne we have a weather station which is part of the NSW DPI Weather Station Network.
Ynys Witrin
The Ynys Witrin vineyard is situated 6 kilometres west-northwest of Orange NSW, on Old Forbes Road.
Size
16 ha, with 12 ha planted to vines
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling
Altitude & Aspect
The elevation of Ynys Witrin ranges from 860 to 880 metres above sea level with the Pinot Noir and Shiraz grown on the highest land. The aspect is east to south-east.
Climate
Due to its lower elevation and closer proximity to the western edge of the tablelands, Ynys Witrin is much more open than Brangayne and warmer, with temperatures in summer averaging 27°C (vs Brangayne 25°C).
The average annual rainfall is approximately 850mm.
Soil
The soil of Ynys Witrin is principally a red-brown loam, with good drainage and topsoil depth, although less deep than those at Brangayne. The underlying rock is basalt.
