Berrys Bridge Pyrenees Shiraz 2000

This tiny winery nestled in the northern foothills of the Australian Pyrenees produces only three wines in extremely limited quantities and has developed quite a cult following. Apparently the 2000 Berrys Bridge Shiraz was a lighter than usual for this vineyard, but it's difficult to believe that when you taste the wine!

"As concentrated and complex as ever, with strong plum and dark berry fruit on the bouquet, the oak in restraint. The palate follows on logically, very concentrated, with this depth doubtless coming from the vineyard."  James Halliday

Expert reviews

"A fabulous offering from Berrys Bridge… glorious aromas of spring flowers, blackberry liqueur, crème de cassis, licorice, and camphor. Boasting superb fruit… it should drink beautifully over the next 12—15 years."  Robert Parker, Wine Advocate - 95 points

"The grapes are hand-picked, open-fermented with hand plunging, and basket pressed. Simple, hands-on winemaking which is ideally suited to red wines with this type of weight and structure. Full purple-red; as concentrated and complex as ever, with strong plum and dark berry fruit on the bouquet, the oak in restraint. The palate follows on logically, very concentrated, with this depth doubtless coming from the vineyard."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points

About the winery

Viticulturist Roger Milner purchased the property in the northern foothills of the Australian Pyrenees Ranges in 1975. In the mid 80's he, together with winemaker Jane Holt, began the construction of the stone house-cum-winery. Vines were first planted in the 6.5ha vineyard in 1990. 

Ironically the history of the site dates back to 1894 when a Mr Berry was growing shiraz grapes and making wine from a 30 year-old vineyard on almost the same spot that Roger Milner has re-developed. Hence the name Berrys Bridge. 

Berrys Bridge adheres steadfastly to the 'less is more' maxim, offering just three varietals in extremely limited quantities – Shiraz, Cabernet and in some years Merlot. The hand crafted, single vineyard wines are dry grown and vinified on site by Roger and Jane. Hand picked fruit receives small batch open fermentation, is hand plunged and basket pressed. Wines are matured in oak barriques and are bottled unfiltered on site.

Rich red clay soils, warm summer days and cool nights provide lush ripe berries with intense colour, concentrated flavour and complex tannin structure. The Berrys Bridge Vineyard is favoured with winter/spring rainfall and relatively dry summers. Good canopy management generally minimises disease impact in this mild climate, and the ecologically friendly option is always chosen when selecting vineyard inputs. Many species of insect-eating birds love the habitat contributing to a healthy and diverse environment.

"Berrys Bridge enjoyed the kind of debut that every new producer dreams about when its generously flavoured 1998 and 1999 shiraz and cabernet sauvignon were 'discovered' by US wine buyers and critics. The wines are intense packages of concentrated fruit flavour distinguished by fine oak!"  The Age