Jim Barry Single Vineyard Cabernet The Farm 2022

The grapes come from a single vineyard: Lodge Hill. Originally a pastoral run named Wolta Wolta dating back to 1839, Jim Barry purchased the land for the Lodge Hill vineyard in 1977. Situated on the high, eastern ranges of Clare, at 480m, Lodge Hill is one of the highest vineyards in the valley. At this elevation, the vines are exposed to concentrated bursts of sunlight and cool nights, which encourage slow ripening and natural balancing acidity. The vines were planted in 1997 in brown loam over siltstone soils and are trained on a permanent single cordon with a rod and spur to promote even canopy growth along the cordon, which helps with shading and avoids crowding of fruit, thus reducing disease. Foliage wires help to partially lift the fruit to prevent the canopy collapsing and exposing the fruit to sunburn. The vines are sustainably cultivated and are hand-harvested.

The grapes were destemmed, sorted and gently crushed, allowing a small proportion of whole berries to pass through. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel fermenters with heading down boards, which submerged the skins in the fermenting must and gently extracted colour, flavour and tannins. Pump-overs were conducted twice per day, with a rack and return each day. Fermentation lasted for seven to nine days before being pressed. 1/3 of the grapes were co-fermented with 15% whole-bunch fruit to impart complexity and aromatic lift. Malolactic conversion took place in 100% French oak, encouraging a seamless integration, where it was aged for 12 months.