The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc reveals the Ten Men’s tradition of refined quality. This wine was made from the vineyards in the esteemed hills of the upper Yarra Valley. Being older than its maker, the 30 years of vine age in this pristinely cool site sets a known global leading standard.

Based on grey loamy clay soils, the site produces a fruit quality that would have satisfied each passed generation.

With a whisper from the sky, the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc was hand picked on the 15th March, not long after the tragic fires engulfed the region. Unique in Australia, the fruit was frozen over three days, before the finest quality juices were drained naturally into French Oak barrels. A most gentle pressing ensured juice quality was fortunately unscathed, retaining acidity and pure fruit expression. Fermentation was then carried out with all eager eyes watching over.

Not quite complete, our steady craft aged the wine for three months with ‘battonage’ or stirring of lees (the residual yeasts) throughout maturation, which added supreme complexity and length. It was then bottled in July 2009 under screwcap, maintaining its quality, freshness and the many other secrets of the Ten Men who created it.

“ If you can get yourself close enough, you might just hear them.... ”

- Ben Portet