All images: John Burke
Langhorne Creek Grape and Wines is collaborating with three lucky winemakers from outside the region to create 100% Langhorne Creek wines under their own labels.
Termed as Project 5255, Langhorne Creek has teamed up with South Australian winemakers Riley Harrison from Harrison Wine, Greg Clack and Kate Horstmann from XO Wines, and one Yarra Valley-based winemaker, Natillie Johnson from Tillie J Wines.
The project gives small producers the opportunity to find their groove, learn from multi-award-winning wineries, and have access to grapes from one of Australia’s largest viticulture regions.
Two tonnes of premium fruit have been gifted to each winemaker. Langhorne Creek will now provide mentoring support and guidance throughout the wine-making process, from harvest to bottling.
Project 5255 was first introduced in late 2019 in an effort to champion the Langhorne Creek region and entice winemakers to collaborate. Anyone with a Producer’s License was eligible to apply.
The first round of vintage wines produced a sell-out Fiano, a spicy Grenache and a gorgeous Malbec from local winemakers across the state.
Natillie Johnston of Tillie J Wines in the Yarra Valley is the first interstate participant for Project 5255 and will be producing a one-off Grenache.
Tillie said, “This Project is such a fantastic opportunity for small, up and coming producers such as myself to find their groove and express their winemaking skills. I take great inspiration from the success Charlotte Dalton Wines has experienced from this program. I also strongly believe that opportunities such as this can lead to amazing outcomes when done in conjunction with sound advice from established mentors along the way.”
Riley Harrison of Harrison Wine will be making Malbec, a wine that has become synonymous with Langhorne Creek. “While it’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to sink my winemaking teeth into some malbec grapes, a large part of my attraction to Project 5255 is driven by the opportunity to spend time within a wine community that I have long admired,” Riley said.
Duo Greg Clack and Kate Horstmann of XO Wine Co will be making Prosecco. The pair see the project as a great way to showcase the quality of the region’s fruit and ‘taste of the terroir.’
XO Wines has described it as an honour to be selected for the project and can’t wait to unveil the results later this year! Greg and Kate will be making their parcel of Langhorne Creek Prosecco from the Windsong Wines Vineyard.
For more information on the project, check out langhornecreek.com.
Be sure to follow these amazing small producers as they track their unique winemaking journeys in our historic Langhorne region.
Harrison Wine
XO Wines
Tillie J Wines
More News
