Spring

Welcome to spring and the flowering season at Yarra Yering. All the spring things have been happening times two. The warm sunny breaks we expect at this time of year have become mini heatwaves with temperatures approaching 40 degrees. The spring showers we look forward to have been verging on deluges. Happily these occurrences have happened at the ideal times and despite difficult conditions in late summer we have a good fruit set on most varieties with very strong spring growth.

A big mob of kangaroos has taken up residence in the bush at the top of the vineyard but have unfortunately shown no territorial instinct and done nothing to stop the deer chewing the young shoots of the Barbera. Once again this variety will be in short supply. Some of the Spanish varieties are also looking a bit light on but the mainstays all look strong, with the Pinot Noir having a particularly good set. Fingers crossed we are hoping to produce another Sparkling Blanc de Noir this vintage, prompted by the 1995 proving so popular in the tasting room at the moment.

The tasting room at Yarra Yering is being moved into the newly renovated grand room in the house. This is as Dr Carrodus always intended and though it is a break with a long established tradition I am sure you will agree that it only enhances the pleasure of a visit to the winery. Please note also that from the time of the move, the second week in December, the tasting room will be open seven days a week.

The wines on tasting will change on a regular basis and you can view the current list on the cellar door page of the website.

Notes on the label. As prepared by Julie Jame our artist in occasional residence.
“Dr Carrodus designed the label himself. (As he did with everything at Yarra Yering).
The YY resembled two wine glasses as well as being an abbreviation of the geographical name he had given the vineyard. The leaves are those of the Laurus nobilis tree, a symbol of his love for his partner Laurel.

In 1990 he asked me to redo the label, not changing the logo but hand lettering everything as his hand could no longer do it. The hand lettered label, he believed, reflected the hand made quality of the wine and the attention to detail in the vineyard and in the cellar. He also felt that since many members of the public were unaware of the history of type and if we exaggerated the letters and made them a little ‘wonky’ they might understand it was hand lettered. The hand lettered phrase moved in front of the eye and therefore attracted the attention of the viewer.
This was carried through even to the vineyard signs which he insisted be hand lettered.
He chose ‘bright white’ German paper for its look and quality—to feel good when the prospective buyer lifted it from the shelf. The buying public knew Yarra Yering for its unusual style, for its determined stance against the mainstream and for its individual vision.”
Julie Jame

Merry Christmas to all and we wish you a happy and safe festive season.
Tim Hampton