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The New Plantation Project
In the months following the
purchase of the Domaine eighteen hectares of vines were pulled up. These
vines were old, lesser-known varieties from which top quality wine could not be
produced. In 2005 a new plantation project began to replant ten of those
hectares with carefully
selected varieties that would increase the diversity and quality of the overall
vineyard at Domaine Sainte Rose. This project has now been completed and
all the new varieties can be harvested in the forthcoming 2009 vintage.
First Phase – March 2005
The goal in the first phase of replantation was to increase the percentage of
white grape varieties. After much debate it was decided to plant three hectares
of Sauvignon Blanc and half a hectare of Muscat.
Initially the Simpsons were sceptical of planting Sauvignon Blanc in the warm
Languedoc climate conditions. Having tasted some good examples
of this variety produced in the area, with the popularity of the variety in the
marketplace increasing and with a clear goal of the style of Sauvignon Blanc
that they wanted to make, the Simpsons went ahead with the plan. It has
been a very successful addition to the range of white wines produced on the
Domaine.
Muscat is also an interesting addition to our range as the ultimate intention
once the vines are well established would be to
produce a sweet wine. For the moment however the Muscat has been a
valuable blending variety within the white wine range, being an aromatic
addition to less expressive wines. The Muscat plantation is just in front
of the chateau at Sainte Rose so is the showpiece vineyard.
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Workers prepare the vines
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Vines in the ground with wax seal
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Tractor that places the roots at a certain depth
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The Sauvignon parcel
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The Parcel
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Second Phase – March 2007
After much deliberation three
red varieties were selected for the second phase of planting plus one more white
variety.
Marsanne - 1 hectare
Marsanne
originates in the Rhone Valley and along with Roussanne and Viognier is found in
most Rhone white wine blends. The Roussanne-based wines produced at
Sainte Rose have become increasingly popular, thus this variety will add to and
increase the quality of these products through selective blending.
Mourvedre - 1.5 hectares
The grape variety Mourvedre originated in Spain where it
is called Monastrell, however it is now grown right along the Spanish and French
Mediterranean coast, thriving in the warm yet windy conditions. At Sainte Rose
this variety will be used with Syrah and Grenache to produce a GSM blend.
Petit Verdot - 1 hectare
This is the least known and
least grown of the Bordeaux varieties. It is losing popularity in Bordeaux
because it matures very late in what is a cooler climate area. In warmer
climates however it is gaining more and more positive recognition as a single
varietal, hence the choice to plant it at Sainte Rose. The Australians
have heralded it as a possible contender to the ever popular Shiraz!
Syrah - 2.7 hectares
Syrah (Shiraz) is our most popular and successful red
variety and is found in three out of four of our core range of products.
The first vintage for these
varieties will be the 2009 harvest. Their addition to the range of
varieties will open up new opportunities for greater blending choices and
possible new product development.
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Mourvedre vine.
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Row of Mourvedre.
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Laser guided planting plough.
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Row of Petit Verdot.
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Mourvedre row.
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More Information:
Map of the vineyards as they are
today with colour coded
varieties
Vineyard Pictures
French
Classification System Explained
Languedoc Reputation
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