Chalmers Wines - Chalmers Merbein Vineyard, Merbein Vic


CHALMERS MERBEIN VINEYARD, MERBEIN VICTORIA		View Larger Map
2010 saw the establishment of the new Murray Darling site for Chalmers on an old settlement block in Merbein just outside Mildura. The 10 hectare property has been planted to three commercial blocks of Vermentino, Sagrantino and Nero d’Avola which were selected, based on a decade of observation at the Euston site, as the three most promising varieties for the Murray Darling region to tackle the effects of climate change. These varieties have also performed well in both winery and marketplace. The fourth block contains every single clone and variety Chalmers imported as well as a few private selections.	This block will be used to research drought and heat tolerance and provide propagation material to the wider wine industry. The recent addition to the Merbein team of winemaker Bart van Olphen means that from 2013 Chalmers will also produce small batch experimental wines from this plethora of varieties, some of which have never been vinified in Australia, as exclusive releases of 20 or 50 litres. These wines will be made on site at Merbein and crafted naturally, with little or no use of traditional winemaking tools or additions.