Primrose Chardonnay - A special block against all the odds
Primrose Chardonnay - Pre Christmas 2023
BAROSSA VINEYARDS
SCHULZ Primrose Vineyard
The Schulz’s have been growing grapes on their Primrose Vineyard in Ebenezer for more than 150 years. The Primrose Vineyard (and its farm house) was where they settled soon after they arrived in the Barossa Valley. They later extended down the hill into flatter areas of Ebenezer as the family expanded. Primrose sits at the high point of Ebenezer, bordering Moppa to the West.
Sitting at almost 400 metres above sea level it is at a similar altitude to much of the Eden Valley. The resulting cooler ripening conditions coupled with complex soils containing a mixture of ironstone, red clay and sand producers complex wines, minerally wines. Much of the Primrose Vineyard has now been Certified Organic and Certified Sustainable.
We historically source Shiraz, Cabernet, Mataro and Chardonnay from Primrose. It is the Chardonnay that carries its own piece of Barossa’s history.
Old Chardonnay
Chardonnay and whites generally came into favour in the 1970s and 1980s. There were mass plantings, including on the Primrose Vineyard. Only a small patch of chardonnay remains, the rest planted to reds that have been in more favour with the market over the last 40-50 years.
The remaining 8 short rows of Chardonnay vines on Primrose produces between 500kgs and 1 tonne, depending on the season. The sheep decimated the crop in 2020. These vines were planted in 1974 or 1975 to the OF (Old Foundation Block) or Gin Gin Clone. These clones are most often found in Margaret River.
A historic block, approaching 50 years of age (and as such, one of the oldest in SA), in Ebenezer of all places, that produces grapes of rare complexity and aging capability.
What do We DO with it?
The Old Primrose Chardonnay Block is picked early to retain freshness, straight to the winery, destemmed and pressed to Barrel. Production varies year to year, but normally 1-2 French oak barrels. Bottled in the year of production and enjoyed by so many.
Prirmrose Vineyard Chardonnay
Primrose Chardonnay is a special block
Keep your eye out for our annual releases of the Primrose Chardonnay, they are wines with a story, wines of history. But there is not much of them in most years which is half the fun.
Old Vines (49 years young) Reworked for 2024 Vintage