tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post3932602093218253872..comments2023-09-29T03:48:24.274-04:00Comments on Chez Ray Winemaking: Winemaker chat with Denis Horgan of Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Australiajorrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08091347621678409530noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post-18134150010032074822008-09-12T19:56:00.000-04:002008-09-12T19:56:00.000-04:00Great interview ive been fascinated for so long! L...Great interview ive been fascinated for so long! Leeuwin Estate, owned by Denis and Tricia Horgan, has a reputation for producing top quality wines from its location in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. Yet, however, you try and dress it up, its creation was more by chance than by design. The property was originally a cattle farm which Denis Horgan had acquired in a business takeover. Horgan took advice from the State Department of Agriculture as to the optimal use for the land, and their suggestion was viticulture. And so Denis Horgan started down the road that was to lead to the creation of one of Australia's greatest wineries.<BR/><BR/>Leeuwin Estate Art Series Pinot NoirLeeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet SauvignonSo Leeuwin Estate began as a vine nursery, with advice from top viticulturist Stan Heritage. Over the next few years however, large areas were planted up, here taking advice from Californian guru Robert Mondavi. The vineyards saw the arrival of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, which are the basis for the two top cuvées from Leeuwin Estate, but also Shiraz and even Pinot Noir. These varieties are the basis for the Leeuwin wines of today, except for Shiraz, which was grafted over to Sauvignon Blanc within a few years of being planted.<BR/><BR/>The first vintage came in 1978, as it takes several years for young vines to bear any fruit.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Harold <BR/><A HREF="http://www.sanzospecialties.com" REL="nofollow">real estate supplies</A>bestonline323https://www.blogger.com/profile/17354955023206930885noreply@blogger.com