2024 The Cote Shiraz

A single vineyard wine sourced from the famous, and slightly controversially named, Cote d’Or vineyard in central Pokolbin. The vineyard lies at almost 200 metres above sea level, on a steep northerly aspect of the ridge directly south of the Audrey Wilkinson Oakdale property.
Cote d'Or was one of the first vineyards established by the Wilkinson family in 1866 by Alfred Wilkinson and his son Frederick (Audrey’s father). It was the fraternal home until the death of Alfred just before WW1.
The original vineyard has long been pulled out, but seven acres were replanted on this ridge in 1971. The vineyard is dry-grown on relatively deep brown loamy soil, and scattered with Permian fossils.

This fruit from this pedigree block is now shared between Thomas Wines and a new Hunter label - Riggs and Wiggs (a collaboration between veteran winemaker Iain Riggs and the owner of the vineyard, Peter Wiggs).

Hand picked on Febrauary 3rd (exactly one month ealier than the 2023 vintage), the fruit was destemmed (but not crushed) and then cold-soaked for 24 hours. After a further seven days of fermentation on skins, the wine was pressed off into a combination of second, third, and fourth use barrels, which have provided a very subtle oak structural complexity, and respectful of the meduim weight frame.

Bottled - 25th June 2025
Released - 16th May 2026

Production - 131 dozen

14.0% ABV