2018 Pilgrimage of Elevation - Exclusive Vino Express Event
THREE VINEYARDS. THREE ELEVATIONS. ONE VIGNERON : AN ELEVATED PILGRIMAGE TO DISCOVER THE ORANGE COOL CLIMATE WINE REGION
A wine-tasting journey through See Saw Wines’ three vineyards of different elevations above sea level – Annangrove (700m), Springvale (800m) and Balmoral (900m).
The ‘pilgrimage’ is aimed at introducing wine lovers and aficionados to the concept of grape growing at varying elevations, and the effect this has on the flavour of the wines – even when part of the same vineyard, and grown and made by the same vigneron.
“We are possibly the only winery in the Orange region that has the ability to tell this complete story of elevation, as we are growing fruit across all three of vineyards at the different elevations,” explains vigneron Justin Jarrett. “Every site produces different flavours and every elevation enhances the See Saw Wines story, and it’s this journey that we would love to share with our guests during the Pilgrimage of Elevation.”
Hosted by Justin Jarrett, See Saw Wines vigneron and President of the Orange Region Vignerons Association, we will be walking through each of Justin’s three vineyards with a wine-tasting at each and finishing with a grazing table lunch. This year’s event will be held exclusively for our Vino Express guests.
BE CONVERTED
The ‘Pilgrimage of Elevation’ starts in the Orange wine region’s first Prosecco block, where Justin will explain the history of See Saw Wines and his vision for planting the Prosecco varietal of grapes at the elevation of 700 metres above sea level in Block 15 of the See Saw Wines’ Annangrove vineyard.
What’s the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? We’re glad you asked…
From the Annangrove vineyard we will then move onto the organic See Saw Wines’ Springvale vineyard across the road and at a slightly higher elevation of 800 metres above sea level, to sample the organic white and red varietals that flourish here (including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and Pinot Noir), before moving onto the beautiful Balmoral vineyard block at the highest elevation of 900 metres above sea level which boasts amazing views of the Orange region and full flavoured Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Gris, and Gewurtztraminer, as well as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This will be followed by a grazing table lunch in the vineyard.
EXCLUSIVE TO 2018 VINO EXPRESS GUESTS, WEEKEND ONE 12-14 OCTOBER
This year the ‘Pilgrimage of Elevation’ will be an exclusive event for guests of the 2018 Vino Express being held on Weekend One, 12-14 October 2018. The Vino Express is a luxury 3-day curated wine & food slow travel experience to the Orange Wine Festival, and is one of the festival’s signature events. Packages are from $897 per person (based on double or twinshare) and a single supplement is available. Tickets are ON SALE NOW and available here >>
ABOUT SEE SAW WINES
See Saw Wines is situated in the central west of New South Wales, 25km west of Orange, an area which is highly suited to the growing of grapes and the production of cool climate wines. To be classified as within the Orange wine growing region, grapes must be grown above 600 meters. The vineyards have volcanic origins at the base of Mount Canobolas, which has produced highly fertile soil, and this in conjunction with the climate makes the area ideally suited to the growing of grapes and the production of cool climate wines.
Nurturing this land to bring out our grapes’ finest qualities requires one thing beyond all else – balance
See Saw Wines is family owned and operated by Justin and Pip Jarrett. They planted 22ha of vines in 1997, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Since then the vineyard has increased dramatically, and collectively they are now one of the largest in the Central West. The Balmoral, Springvale / Coole Park and Annangrove Park vineyard plantings now cover 170 hectares with an average elevation of 800m across the three sites, keeping the small yet passionate See Saw team busy all year round.
To produce world class cool climate wines, a balanced approach and unyielding commitment to quality is needed. Patience, acceptance for what Mother Nature deals you and balance in all things are the key requirements. It’s that extended time to ripening that brings out the best in our wine.
ABOUT THE ORANGE WINE REGION
It’s the elevation of the Orange wine region in New South Wales, Australia that makes it a stand-out from other wine regions, and even other cool-climate wine regions, across Australia. In fact, it may be the world’s only wine region defined by its elevation.
The winemakers and viticulturists of the Orange region, in Central Western NSW, regard altitude — and therefore many of the climatic conditions that they grow their grapes in — with an almost religious zeal. It’s hardly surprising when you think about. It is after all, the only Australian wine region — and, indeed, quite possibly the only wine region in the world — defined expressly by altitude.