Wineries that no longer are....

[Pana]

Interesting going through this years tasting notes, to discover that some of my higher ranked wines for the year, are wineries that longer exist, namely:

99 Willespie Shiraz
99 Gartner Coonawarra Cabernet
98 Edwards&Chafffey Section 353 Shiraz

Guess sometimes there is no relationship betwwen good wine and profit?
Anybody had any similar experiences?

[707]

Pana, the economics can get to any winery regardless of quality.

Of the ones you've noted

Willespie, wasn't aware they'd gone

Gartner was a case of spending money before they'd earned it, $16M worth by all accounts! Great pity as they looked very good.

E&C Section 353 was a corporate label cut by Southcorp. The 98s got heavily discounted to under $20 to clear them, I bought up big

Cheers

[Mike Hawkins]

Apparently the current 2000 releases of Tollana are the last of the reds, so you can both the TR16 & 222 to your list shortly. I think these are two of the best qpr wines on the market.

[simm]

I haven't had the honour of Willespie, but I couldn't agree more about Section 353, Tollana, and Gartner. Makes me think of doing the unbelievable and keeping a bottle of each forever just for rememberence sake. Real favourites that will be sadly missed.

[brad]

Pana, I imagine Willespie will be most distressed to hear of their demise.

I'm sure if you call them on 9755 6248 you may be able to get some more 99 shiraz (unless Gavin has some!).

Simon Keall (ex Rosabrook, Hay Shed Hill) is presently consulting to them on winemaking.

Cheers, brad

[Duncan]

Last I heard, Willespie was for sale, several $million, might have been 3 or 6.

Cheers, Duncan