{"title":"Appellation Wines: Macedon Ranges","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"2022-pohlman-s-creek-rouge-cuvee","title":"2022 Pohlman’s Creek Rouge Cuvée","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlenhope Estate sits in the northern reaches of the Macedon Ranges — 500 metres up, granite underfoot, vines in the ground since 1995. It's a site that asks questions of the varieties grown there, and this blend answers with something genuinely compelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, each fermented separately with a portion of whole bunches, then aged for fourteen months before being brought together. The Cabernet spent time in new Vicard French oak; the rest in seasoned barriques. The result is a wine that feels considered without being overthought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuicy and elegant in equal measure. Red and dark fruit with a certain cool-climate lift — the Macedon signature coming through clearly. The tannins are refined and fine-grained, the finish soft and long. There's an intricacy here that rewards patience; this is a wine that keeps pulling you back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion\u003c\/strong\u003e: Macedon Ranges\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSub-region\u003c\/strong\u003e: Glenhope\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: Glenhope Estate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e: 27 April 2022, machine harvested\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking: \u003c\/strong\u003eEach parcel of fruit was picked at the end of April. 85% of each variety was destemmed (15% remained whole bunch), then fermented independently over 2 to 3 weeks (depending upon the variety), with twice daily punch downs. Each variety was aged separately for 14 months in aged French barriques (with 2 new French “Vicard” barriques being used for the Cabernet Sauvignon component). The wine was blended in early July 2023, before being bottled in early August.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAged:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 new Vicard French barriques, the remaining aged French oak\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottled\u003c\/strong\u003e: Late December 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 283 dozen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosure\u003c\/strong\u003e: Diam\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e: Red and dark fruit, cool-climate lift. Juicy but refined, with fine-grained tannins and a finish that holds longer than you expect. An easy wine to return to.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECK Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42781665951896,"sku":"ECK22PCRCBTL_RETAIL","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0322\/2201\/9720\/files\/ECK_pohlmanscreek_rougecuvee_TRANS.png?v=1692675732"},{"product_id":"2023-dougs-pinot-noir","title":"2023 \"Doug's\" Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003eI am always on the search of cool climate Pinot Noir (and Chardonnay) fruit. It is very hard to come by in the Macedon Ranges, almost impossible, so when the opportunity arose in late 2022 to meet with Doug to discuss the possibility of leasing his Romsey vineyard - I jumped at the idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, due to timing (I had just found out that I was pregnant with our second child, due in February 2023), I had to decline leasing the site. I wanted to be fair to Doug and the vines; I didn't want to take on the farming of a new site, not knowing what lay ahead in the following 9 months. Doug and I stayed in touch though and in early 2023, he called me to tell me that there was some Pinot Noir fruit available for me!  I couldn't believe this news, and was so wrapped that I could make this wine from such incredible fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, this wine is floral and aromatic, rose petals and currants, with some forest floor. Bright ruby red in colour, the palate is raspberries and sour cherries, with a hint of brown spice and earthy fine tannins. Elegant and refreshing, this wine has a soft and delicate mouth feel, which lingers a while. It is drinking well now, but will also cellar gracefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion\u003c\/strong\u003e: Macedon Ranges\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSub-region\u003c\/strong\u003e: Romsey\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: Doug's Vineyard is located in the cool, sub-region of Romsey, approximately 1 hour (by car) north-west of Melbourne. The vines were planted in the 2000s, and sit at an elevation of 530m on a North facing slope at the foothills of the Cobaw Ranges. There is a mixture of clones - predominantly MV6, along with 114 and 115. The soil is volcanic rocky basalt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e: The grapes were handpicked on 26 April 2023 and delivered straight to the winery. A small portion was whole bunch fermented in Amphora and another small portion whole berry fermented in Amphora; the rest was de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in an open fermenter for 10 days with daily punch downs. Post press, the wine was transferred to a mixture of French oak barriques and Amphora for aging for 14 months. No new oak was used. Bottled in December 2024, the wine has not been fined, nor filtered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e: 26 April 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 112 dozen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosure\u003c\/strong\u003e: Diam\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e","brand":"ECK Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46794664312984,"sku":"ECK23DOUGPNBTL_RETAIL","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0322\/2201\/9720\/files\/ECK_dougspinot_trans_33725b05-6cc9-44b7-9297-db934e93021b.png?v=1755745713"},{"product_id":"2025-pipers-creek-blanc-de-noir","title":"2025 Piper's Creek Blanc de Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eI’ve always had a soft spot for bubbles. They’re fun, they’re bright, and they turn any table into a party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOver the years I’ve dabbled. A Blanc de Blanc from Heathcote Chardonnay. A few traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blends, for those who remember my Goldie series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis one starts at a market stall in Duneira Estate Gardens, 2022. I got talking with Penelope and Keith, the owners of this Piper's Creek vineyard. We bonded over law. I had just walked away from my own legal career and was knee deep in vines and ferments. They were weighing up a permanent move to their Victorian farm. Numbers were swapped, and then, nothing. For two and a half years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIn early January 2025, my phone rang. Penelope’s block of Pinot Noir was looking exceptional, in quality and in yield. Would I like to make some sparkling from it?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. Quickly. I was already farming Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer in the Macedon Ranges, and the history of Straws Lane had made me cautious about yields. Still, Pinot Noir was something I’d always wanted to make. Now I could make a sparkling and a table Pinot. Why not?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThen 2025 delivered. I picked more Pinot Noir in that year than I’ve ever picked of any other variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSo only half of the 2025 Blanc de Noir has been disgorged and released. The rest is resting. It might wait a good while longer, taking its time on lees until it’s ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion\u003c\/strong\u003e: Macedon Ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSub-region\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pipers Creek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis 5-acre dry-grown Pinot Noir vineyard is situated at an elevation of 530 metres in the Pipers Creek (Macedon) region. The vineyard is planted across a complex combination of granitic, basalt-derived volcanic and sedimentary soils, contributing to the site’s distinctive character and providing a diverse foundation for the vines. The dry-grown vines are low yielding, encouraging concentration and intensity in the fruit while reflecting the unique conditions of the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e: 2 March 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e: Picked early on 2 March 2025, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed, using only the free-run juice and light pressings to preserve elegance and minimise phenolic extraction. Fermentation took place in barriques with daily temperature control. Tiraged in December 2025, the wine was aged on lees for nearly nine months before being riddled and disgorged in late August 2026. A dosage of 6 g\/L was added to bring balance and finesse, while maintaining a distinctly dry style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAged:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSeasoned barriques (6 months), on lees for 9 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisgorged\u003c\/strong\u003e: late August 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosure\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cork composite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 100 dozen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDelicate strawberries and cream, with a hint of lemon zest. The fruit balances nicely with the acidity, a little fruit sweetness up front but dry and savoury on the finish. The bubbles are delightfully delicate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ECK Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67980676890776,"sku":"ECK25PNSPKBTL_RETAIL","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0322\/2201\/9720\/files\/2025_PipersCreek_Blancdenoir.png?v=1794476997"}],"url":"https:\/\/eckwines.com.au\/collections\/appellation-wines-macedon-ranges.oembed","provider":"ECK Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}