Clevedon Hills Estate covers forty acres on the southern slopes of the Clevedon Valley, facing north west. It is situated in a micro-climate that traps the heat, between hills to the east and native bush to the west.
The first vines were planted in August 1998. While nine varieties found their way into forty rows, some were purely on an experimental basis.
We now produce grape varieties that find their way into Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot Barbera, Chiara (Arneis), and Leighton's Port.
The Pinot Noir is a bit of a surprise, as somehow by accident a number of Pinot Noir vines found their way into the vineyard and they were doing surprisingly well. Despite receiving advice to ignore them, we decided to plant more Pinot Noir and in 2006 the first grapes were harvested. The resulting wine, only 50 cases of it, came out very well and those who have tried it are raving about it.
Clevedon Hills is not so much a dream as a vision that took many years to eventuate. We share our love for Italian style wines with neighbouring Vin Alto. The wines are made by my good friend Enzo Bettio, and they can also be purchased through the online store of Vin Alto.
Salute!
Leighton Smith
This elegant Syrah has a lovely rich texture with notes of cherry, sweet violet and black pepper. It's full, firm and boasts a lingering finish. This is an exceptional food wine best served with rich meat dishes.
Its vibrant colour reveals a classic style; medium bodied Pinot Noir showing berry fruit and leathery aromas. Complex fruit flavours are underpinned by pleasant soft tannins with a lingering finish. A lovely wine on its own or with food.
When you introduce the soft plum and current characters of Merlot, to the intense aromas of fresh red and black berries of the classic Italian Barbera, bless them with toasty oak, you have a marriage made in heaven that will blossom with complex intensity and longevity.
The nice balance between fruit and acid makes this a great wine to enjoy with meaty pasta dishes and grilled steak.
European in style, this is a blend of Arneis & Chardonnay grape varieties. Arneis is a variety which has been grown in the Langhe Hills of Piedmonte for centuries and is once again enjoying a surge of popularity in Italy.
The flavour characters of these two varieties compliment each other very well with the lighter, herbaceous Arneis balancing the heavier citrus fruit flavours of the Chardonnay. The bouquet is quite floral with hints of apple blossom. Apple characters come through again on the palate, with a hint of honey. Perfect balance between lively acidity and ripe fruit. A rich lingering honied finish. This wine goes very well with chicken dishes and white meats.
A rich ruby port with a harmonious blend of grape varieties grown at Clevedon Hills Estate and Vin Alto. Many years of ageing has produced unique port, which can be enjoyed now or in years to come. A great companion for mature cheese or savour with friends after your meal.
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