Collection: MAIN RIDGE ESTATE

Credit to young James Sexton and especially his parents Tim and Libby, who bought the renowned estate from luminaries Nat and Rosalie White in ’15. Fast forward to today, James has completed his wine science degree from Charles Sturt University and says vineyard management is key. That means reinvigorating the sites, eschewing herbicides and pesticides, all the while working on soil health and changes to canopy management. He’s learnt quickly. There’s always been little room for expansion, but in ’21, neighbours and friends John and Julie Trueman decided to ease into retirement. Now the Trueman Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are part of the Main Ridge Estate family. Distinctly different, as they should be. While respectful of the Main Ridge Estate heritage, the wine labels have undergone a subtle revamp. -JANE FAULKNER

THE STORY

Main Ridge Estate’s highly prized and rare Half Acre Pinot Noir’s tiny half-acre block was planted in 1975 on very shallow red basalt soils, and has since tripled in size (to a still minuscule 1.5 acres, or 0.6 hectares). Burgundian winemaking techniques are followed by maturation in new and one-year-old French oak barriques for around 17 months. Renowned for its glorious perfume, silky smooth texture, fruit complexity and mineral length, the Main Ridge Estate Half Acre Pinot Noir is a compelling reflection of site and meticulous winemaking.