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Langhorne Creek

Located one hour’s drive from the state capital of Adelaide on Lake Alexandrina, Langhorne Creek is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions. The flat, river delta landscape of Langhorne Creek is ideally suited for viticulture which, by 2000, ran to more than 5,000 hectares. To this day, it proudly remains phylloxera-free.

Langhorne Creek is traditionally watered by the rivers of Angas and Bremer that carry all of the rain from the Adelaide Hills. In fact, until expansion in the late 1990’s, Langhorne Creek was the only vineyard region in the world that relied solely on annual flooding from the Bremer River to irrigate the vines. This caused the root system to penetrate deeply, searching for moisture, thereby giving explanation as to why some of the vines in the region are well over 100 years old. These days, vineyards are criss-crossed by ditches and even levees which surround wineries both large and small. The tiny settlement of Langhorne Creek, population 700, boasts just one modest pub at which can be bought the ubiquitous Australian “Counter-lunch.” In this case, the menu always includes the perplexing mix of curry and hamburger so favored by the local vignerons and vineyard workers.

A reliable breeze off the lake cools the region, which is close to the Southern Ocean with its faint suggestion of the Antarctic. This moderates the Langhorne Creek diurnal fluctuation, or temperature variation between day and night, extending the growing season. This lack of heat stress on the vines permits development of flavor intensity along with aromatic complexity, while at the same time providing natural acidity to give structure and balance to the finished wine. As a result, the regional character in Langhorne Creek red wine displays suppleness and richness with a remarkable concentration of color and flavor.

Langhorne Creeks fertile soils are predominantly deep, alluvial sandy loams that vary in color from red-brown to dark grey, with patches of black, self-mulching clays. This ideally suits the varietals grown there, mainly Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay and Verdelho with some Sangiovese and Grenache. Modern viticultural practices employing careful canopy management ensures that yields are restricted, and therefore produces strikingly fruity wines with flavors and aromas of mulberry and cherry, sometimes with a subtle mintiness. Its hallmark regional softness finishes with a captivating hint of spice.

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