Narkoojee

The glories of Gippsland have long delighted all who explore the region. For wine lovers and gourmet travelers, a hidden treasure awaits as they discover the intensely flavoured reds and the rich and complex chardonnays produced from the developing vineyard of Narkoojee at Glengarry in Gippsland, Australia's newest wine region. Although so new, the distinctive appeal of Narkoojee wines is drawing acclamation and applause from wine drinkers, critics, restaurants and wine shows. Produced in a region known also for its pristine environment, beautiful cheeses and other gourmet produce, the uncompromising quality of Narkoojee wine, reflects the passion for fine wine shared by Narkoojee's founders, Harry and Val Friend. Their son Axel, trained in viticulture and winemaking at Charles Sturt University, has recently joined them full time, applying his knowledge and skills to vineyard management and winery operations.

The winery and the wines have been given a four star rating by James Halliday in Australia and New Zealand Wine Companion. From a half acre of vines planted in 1980, Narkoojee now supports more than four hectares of vines. Production has increased to the point where Narkoojee now exports wine to meet an increasing demand from the international market.

Narkoojee vineyard is situated at Glengarry, 15kms north of Traralgon. The vines are planted on deep, fertile alluvial soil comprising various mixtures of clay, silts, sand and ironstone gravels. Vines are trained to a Lyre trellis which increases the exposure of the fruit to ensure optimum quality.

The combination of soil, trellis and climate favour the production of a richly flavoured chardonnay wine style made from fully ripened fruit. The grapes are crushed, gently pressed using an air-bag press and the juice is fermented in French Oak Barriques.

Ripening of the red grapes occurs over a long growing season, resulting in vibrant colours, intense fruit flavours and firm, integrated tannins. After crushing and fermenting, the wines undergo maceration on skins during which time a malo-lactic fermentation may be induced. The wines are gently pressed using an air-bag press before maturation in French Oak Barriques.

From a base market in Gippsland and Melbourne, Narkoojee is now expanding into other Australian states and exporting to meet an increasing demand in Europe and Asia.



Winemakers : Harry and Axel Friend
Chairman and Export Contact: Robert Fordham
Address: 170 Francis Road Glengarry VIC 3854
Telephone: 61 (0)3 5192 4257
Fax: 61 (0)3 5192 4238
Email: wines@narkoojee.com
Website: www.narkoojee.com
Vineyard: 10 Hectares
Varieties : Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay
Production: 3000 cases

Brands:

Narkoojee Narkoojee Reserve Chardonnay
Narkoojee Narkoojee Pinot Noir
Narkoojee Narkoojee Lily Grace Chardonnay
Narkoojee Narkoojee Trafalgar Chardonnay
Narkoojee Narkoojee The Athelstan Merlot
Narkoojee Narkoojee Cabernet Sauvignon
Narkoojee Narkoojee Myrtle Point Shiraz
Narkoojee Narkoojee Sparkling Cabernet
Narkoojee Narkoojee Yorkie's Gully Rose