Bendigo Wine Makers

Turners Crossing

Voted in the top 10 new wineries for 2006 by James Halliday in his “2007- Australian Wine Companion”

The name of this outstanding vineyard comes directly from the name given by the local farmers crossing the Loddon River in the mid to late 1800’s on their way to the town of Inglewood.

The 40 hectare vineyard was planted in 1999 by former corporate executive and lecturer in the Business School at Latrobe University, Paul Jenkins, However, Paul’s experience as a self taught viticulturalist dates back to 1985 when he established his first and still existing vineyard, Yankee Creek.

The grapes from both vineyards have gone to the who’s who of winemakers in Central Victoria, but an increasing amount is being made under the Turners Crossing label, not surprising given the exceptional quality of the wines. Sergio Carlei, winemaker has joined Paul and his partner, Phil Bennett to put his money where his winemaking mouth is in this partnership.

The grapes all come from the vineyard at Serpentine. They are picked only when the tannins are ripe. The wines always have intense colour, a feature of the vineyard in which there is careful control of cropping levels.

The wines are made in the “Old World” style but show the fruit typical of Bendigo. There are several methods used during fermentation with some being made in 4000 litre open wood fermenters, some in Stainless steel fermenters. There is also a mixture of natural and introduced yeasts in each wine. The wines then go into one to three year old barrels for 14 to 20 months before being blended back together prior to bottling.

Diam corks are used so as to avoid any cork taints.

The three vintages produced so far all show excellent colour, rich sweet blackcurrant and red fruits clearly lifted by the Viognier component: medium-bodied with spot on tannins, alcohol and subdued oak.

Again this wine shows excellent colour, fragrant blackberry, prune and chocolate aromas, very sweet, ripe fruit. Extra care is used in all stages of winemaking starting with fruit selection. Only small quantities are produced each year

Excellent colour, medium-bodied, firm blackcurrant/cassis fruit and firm and controlled tannins. Need another few years for optimum drinking.

AWARDS:

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon - Blue Gold medal at 2004 Sydney International Wine Show

In top 100 wines of show:

• 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - 94 Points James Halliday -2007 Australian Wine Companion
• 2003 ‘The Cut’ (Shiraz) - 94 Points James Halliday -2007 Australian Wine Companion
• 2004 Shiraz/Viognier - 95 Points James Halliday -2007 Australian Wine Companion

Cellar Door

Open weekends

1 Alber Road
Upper Beaconsfield Vic 3808

Contact Turners Crossing