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Gift Of Grampians »
Halls Gap Vineyard was planted 1969, along the steep eastern slopes and parched rocky crags of Grampians Ranges, at the very beginning of a renaissance in Victorian viticulture. Since early establishment in the 1860s by the noble Houses of Seppelt and Bests, the region had earned the most elite peerage, a provenance of extraordinary red wines, bursting with bramble opulence and lined with limousin tannins. The Halls Gap property had long been respected as a venerable supplier to the nation's most illustrious brands. Seppelt and Penfolds called on harvests from Halls Gap for their finest vintages. Until 1996, when it was acquired by the late, great Trevor Mast, who was very pleased to bottle Hall Gap's fruit behind the exhalted label of Mt Langi Ghiran. Halls Gap joined the tally of Circe estate vineyards in 2013, whence it yields a wine that's earmarked for icon status by the most discerning industry pundits, now branded under the cryptic moniker of Fallen Giants... Land of the fallen giants»
PHI
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PHI
It is perhaps the next step in the evolution of the Yarra to showcase some of the very special sites and continue to highlight sense of place -Winemaker Steve Webber

As has long been European practice, Australian vignerons are now increasingly aware of the importance of single vineyard wines. Two of Australia's most respected wine families, De Bortoli and Shelmerdine, have joined forces to foster this ideal within the Yarra Valley. Lusatia Park Vineyard established in 1985 was the unique vineyard site chosen for the PHI project.

PHI

Derived from the 21st letter of the ancient Greek alphabet, PHI symbolises perfect balance and harmony. These are virtues both the Shelmerdine and De Bortoli families value highly in wine. Similarly, these qualities have, over time, been identified as hallmarks of the Lusatia Park Vineyard. Together their philosophy is simple - to gently nurture wines while maintaining the character of the vineyard.

Lusatia Park Vineyard is situated at Woori Yallock, high in the south-east hills of the Yarra Valley. This elevated, maritime influenced site enjoys significantly cooler conditions to those of the valley floor, lending itself to more elegant wine styles. Planted in 1985 to Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the densely spaced vines are now 20 years old. A combination of intensive hand-cultivation, low yields, cool climatic conditions and volcanic rocky soil produces fruit with distinctive characters and flavours.

Lusatia Park takes its name from the historical European region of Lusatia. Home to the Sorbian peoples, Lusatia (trans.'water-hole') is a land of hills and meadows, fertile soils and lakes. The vineyard sits on old, friable red volcanic soils (Kraznozems) that cap a tabled ridge of basalt rock. Very free draining, the soil provides an opportunity for roots to penetrate deep into the profile.

PHI

PHI brings together two diverse but complementary wine partners. The Shelmerdine family has vast viticultural experience in central and southern Victoria and for the past thirty five years has committed to identifying and developing distinctive vineyard sites. Equally, the De Bortoli family, with its long history of winemaking, has a strong understanding of what a 'sense of place' can bring to wine. Together they are proud to present three wines that are a true reflection of a unique vineyard.

In 2002 the Shelmerdine and De Bortoli families entered into a grape supply agreement which gave Steve Webber the opportunity to make wine from the Lusatia Park Vineyard. To provide insight into the site's character, a few dozen of the 2002 Lusatia Park Vineyard Chardonnay were bottled separately and shared by the two families over Christmas. The outstanding 2002 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir confirmed their commitment to attention to detail in the vineyard and a hands-off style of winemaking.

They also discovered a mutual love of Sancerre, Chablis and Burgundy, often finding that they were independently drinking the same wines from the same European producers. This friendship was soon to culminate in the PHI joint venture.

Shortly after the 2005 vintage, Steve Webber and Stephen Shelmerdine decided the purity, vibrancy and complexity of both the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Lusatia Park was so impressive, they deserved to be bottled and branded in their own right. The 2006 vintage saw the completion of the range with the addition of the 2006 PHI Lusatia Park Vineyard Sauvignon.

PHI