Small ferments, small parcels of fruit

As one can see Stoney Rise pretty much deals in small stuff. Small ferments take place in small tanks. The process is all hands on.

Sometimes its even all body on, rather than just hands.

Small parcels of fruit come in. Rat brings them in while singing Cold Chisel and other forms of Aussie pub rock;not because it helps the grapes, but because it arouses his levels of serotonin naturally. Rat loves arousal.

More exciting is tiny parcels of clonal Pinot Noir. Here lies some separate ferments of 115, 114, d4v6, 777 spur/cane and somewhere in there is some of the famed Abel clone. One says Abel clone with a reverent awe - why, because it bloody well is part of some high level conspiracy about a slack jawed NZ border patrol guard who stole cuttings from the world's greatest vineyard site off a hapless wine enthusiast who was trying to bring it in as contraband then the rubber necked security guard flogged it back to the vine nursery in NZ. This means when you plant it, a little bit of Domaine de la Romanee Conti is produced in your vineyard. Seriously, forget the soil type and elevation, the microclimate above Vosne Romanee and the years of horse drawn plowing, if you have this clone you are FUCKIN AMAZING and your vineyard shall be PAVED IN GOLD. Actually, it just produces really nice fruit, says Joe.

Look at these small parcels of separate clonal fruit fermenting under dark, mysterious cloaks. The cloaks make the finished wines even more complex and interesting.

Joe is looking to keep these parcels separate this year to see how each clone works from his single vineyard site. Though they wish to be joined in an unfettered orgy of Pinot Noir fruit, they are for this moment being kept in a forced state of abstinence.

Pickin'

Yup. this is the post which takes you live n direct vineyard-side.

Look! It really is a family activity! How hot is Joe's wife Lou? Even in vineyard gear she is the belle of Tasmania.

Even creepy 'cousin' Mike is involved. He is looking stern because he loves to pick with a level of concentration usually associated with chess or other intellectual pursuits.

This is why we have an adult warning. For crying out loud Joe, you're meant to have had therapy for this kind of thing. Thankfully Pinot Noir with its tight, small bunches and pert, firm fruit seems to react well to this type of treatment.

What more is there to say? No one lost a finger. The Pinot Noir looked great. Our backs felt sore.

The real heroes are the pro pickers. Day in day out. Pick pick pick. No whining, just on with the job. This is the best view of the pickers too.

As an addendum, this is a gratuitous photo of Rat. Check him out cruising for buckets. Rat is THE REAL DEAL.