Trophy winner Orange Region Merlot released

Gartelmann Wines has released two new wines made from fruit grown in the cool climate of Orange. The new releases comprise the 2016 Gartelmann ‘Stephanie’ Pinot Gris ($25) and the trophy winning 2014 Gartelmann ‘Joey’ Merlot ($25).
Gartelmann Wines was established by Jan and Jorg Gartelmann in the Hunter Valley’s Lovedale region in 1995. Over the past few years Jorg and Jan have experimented with grapes from regions further afield. 

We have developed great relationships with a number of growers in Mudgee and the higher elevations of Orange. Whilst we are firmly entrenched in the Hunter Valley, we wanted to extend our wine styles with varieties that are making a mark in their respective regions.”

The 2014 Gartelmann ‘Joey’ Merlot gained recognition at the 2015 Orange Wine Show where it was awarded the 2015 Trophy for the Best Merlot of the Show.  

We were extremely proud to be awarded this trophy. The wine subsequently won the ‘People’s Choice Award for the Most Popular Wine in the Show’.  Considering there were almost 300 wines in the show, we were humbled that our Merlot was given this honour.

It is our first Merlot made from Orange fruit. We started harvesting and then the rain started; picking stopped, but luckily so did the rain. Keen to press on, we used an empty spray cart to blow dry the vineyard and allowing us to get back into it.”

The 2014 Merlot was then matured for 14 months in a combination of new French oak puncheons (25%) and one to three year old puncheons and hogsheads prior to bottling.

The 2016 Gartelmann ‘Stephanie’ Pinot Gris, named after Jan and Jorg’s daughter, is the first release of this variety for Gartelmann. The grapes are from the southern foothills of Mount Canobolas at an elevation of around 675 metres. We wanted to make a Pinot Gris that showed good varietal character with some palate weight and gentle acidity.

Our winemaker Liz Jackson did a fabulous job with these two wines. We have discovered some wonderful vineyards and grape growers in Orange, with the new wines adding significantly to our range of NSW Central Ranges wines.