On 29 June, the Yarra Valley’s Oakridge winery will release the latest vintage of their premium 864 Chardonnay. This limited release 2017 vintage has been heralded by Oakridge’s Chief Winemaker David Bicknell as one of their best yet. Befitting of such an occasion, various celebratory offers will be available at Oakridge in June and July.
To officially launch the latest 864 Chardonnay, Oakridge will host an extravagant dinner party on Saturday 29 June. Additionally, throughout the month of July, tastings of 864 labelled wines (including the most recent 2017 864 Chardonnay) will be offered for free at Oakridge’s cellar door (864 tastings usually cost $20 due to the exclusivity and limited availability of the range).
Throughout dinner, guests will be guided through vertical back-vintage flights of 864 wines selected by Oakridge’s Chief Winemaker David Bicknell. Through this curated tasting, David will take guests on a journey looking back at a selection of previous vintages of 864 chardonnay to help gain insight and explain how Oakridge has arrived at this point, and were they are looking in the future. Additional pours of 864 wines will also feature. Executive chefs Matt Stone and Jo Barrett have developed a one-off menu of elevated and decadent dishes, specifically matched to the selected wines. The indulgent dinner will include ingredients such as marron, local truffle and wagyu beef.
The ‘864’ label is given only to Oakridge’s most prized wines, bestowed upon those made from single blocks. The fruit from these prized blocks is seen to express the distinct flavours of the vineyard of origin.
The 2017 vintage was particularly special due to the unusually cool conditions throughout the growing season. As a result, the grapes were able to slowly accumulate flavour, leading to increased fruit purity and concentration. Such mild growing conditions have a huge impact in developing not only the complexity of the wine, but also in the development of higher natural acidity. It is a vintage that will reward careful cellaring over many years.
July is the perfect time to join Oakridge’s wine club. The Vineyard Pack allows enthusiasts to enjoy Oakridge wines including bottles from the premium 864 range, offering free quarterly deliveries of 6 bottles. This membership also affords a variety of additional privileges throughout the year from private events, complimentary dining experiences in the Oakridge restaurant and exclusive wine purchasing opportunities.
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