Mayfield Vineyard – Orange NSW

Down the road from where gold was first discovered in Australia you’ll find a sauvignon blanc that honours the tradition. Recently honoured by James Halliday as the Best Winery in the Orange region, Mayfield Vineyard makes an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and several other fabulous Australian wines – a selection of which are available at Wine Odyssey.

”We believe wines are made in the vineyard” Richard Thomas

Mayfield Vineyard is located outside Orange in central western NSW, down the road from where gold was first discovered in Australia. The wines emerging from Richard and Kathy Thomas’s winery certainly honour that tradition.

Their stunning 100 ha property was originally granted in 1813 to Blue Mountains explorer, William Charles Wentworth. It sits at a lofty 930-950m, making it one of Australia’s highest and coolest vineyards.

The Thomases bought the property in 1998, partly because of its beauty but mainly because of the extraordinary wine-making potential of the elevated location and the volcanic red soils of nearby Mt Canobolas. It’s a combination that promised - and has delivered – a world-class Sauvignon Blanc.

As Viticulturalist Tim Esson says, “The basalt soil retains the water that these grapes thrive on, and the cool climate lets the grapes ripen slowly without disturbing sugar & colour accumulation”.

The Mayfield philosophy, like many of the top winemakers, is paradoxically to minimise the influence of the winemaker. “We believe wines are made in the vineyard” says Richard. “We don’t like to see the imprint of the winemaker on the wine.”

This means an extraordinary level of attention is given to the fruit. The vines are cane-pruned, a traditional technique in cool climates, and then picked in three stages – with about three weeks between the first and last picks.

“Since each pick has its own distinct taste, by blending the three picks we end up with a wine that is not one-dimensional – there is complexity to the flavour that rewards true wine lovers”, says Tim.

The end product, while distinctly Australian, displays some characteristics associated with French wine, with a hint of oil to complement its fresh fruity limes and lemons.

The winery has wasted no time in putting itself on the map. You’ll find their wines – and not just the trademark Sauvignon Blanc - on the discerning wine lists of leading Sydney restaurants like Becasse and Bilsons.

Wine Critic James Halliday also awarded Mayfield 5 Stars in his 2008 Wine Companion and voted it the best winery in the Orange region.

The district’s prosperity began with gold, and Mayfield Vineyard is continuing the association.

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