The Winery

Bruno de Tastes' winemaking at Little River Winery is in keeping with French winemaking tradition and know-how together with new world technology.

To ensure top quality and a superior bouquet, we use minimum preservatives, and our dry wines are sugar-free.

You're welcome to drop by for a wine tasting any time during working hours. For group tastings, may we suggest you make a Wine Tasting Reservation.

Ordering Wines

To order wines please go to our Online Store.

The Process

Grapes are carefully hand harvested and crushed immediately, then pressed in a traditional basket press. The juice is then settled for debourdage at 2°C. for at least forty eight hours. Fermentation takes place at a constant 15° C with a secret selection of yeast strain added for each wine. No sulphur dioxide is used until after the fermentation is completed.

Chenin Blanc and Viognier are never wooded, but are kept on the fine lees, after a first racking, for several months.

Chardonnay and Noble Classic undergo a subtle wood aging for a short period.White Wines are usually bottled after eight months.

Vatting of the reds varies from year to year but is never less than two weeks and can be for up to a month. After vatting a light pressing is done after which the wine settles and undergoes malolactic fermentation in closed stainless steel tanks at between 15° and 18°C.

After a month or so the wines are transferred into French oak barrique for between fifteen and twenty four months.

Little River Wine Selection

	Chardonnay 2009: Unwooded, beautifully balanced: aromas of peaches, bananas and custard.  Cellar 6 to 8 years.		Malbec 2009: Also called Cot or Auxerrois in Cahors, but one of six varieties used in Bordeaux. Inky red purple colour. Made here in a lighter maceration style to preserve floral aromas and pure flavour with anise licorice finish. Malbec contains the most polyphenols of all grapes and therefore good for your health (in moderation, of course!). Drink now, will cellar 15 to 20 years.
	Viognier-Marsanne 2007: Rare white grape originating from the north of the Rhone Valley, totally unwooded, aromas of apricot, orange peel, almond and fennel seed. Rich full body, round full palate with a spicy lingering finish. Serve room temperature. Cellar 6 to 8 years.		Petit Verdot 2009: Perfect for Swan Valley conditions as it is a late ripening grape. Aromas of banana, violet and blueberries. Very dense eggplant colour, soft tannin, good acidity, lingering finish. Great with duck and hearty dishes. Drink now, will cellar 5 to 8 years.
	Vin Doux 2010: 50% Viognier and 50% Muscat. Semi-sweet, medium weight, soft with lychee aromas but also very floral. The flavour is fruity with crisp acidity and lemony finish that lingers. Perfect with curries and spicy foods or fresh fruit. Drink now... very cold.		Shiraz 2004: Dark purple colour. Blackberry, red cherry and peppery aromas. Soft full palate, chewy with strong fruit flavours mixed with spices. Lingering finish. Will cellar 12 to 15 years.
	Noble Classic 2009: Not a 'sticky' wine, but a French style of stunning dessert wine or aperitif, made from late-picked Muscat. Deep golden colour. Aromas of fresh orange blossoms, apricot, almond, with a hint of oak. A huge, luscious palate, with a full, round body. Very well balanced with clean acidity leaving a long clean finish. Serve cold, even with ice in summer. Cellar 15 to 20 years.		Vintage Port 2000: Made from Shiraz and fortified with brandy. Bottled in 2009. Not too sweet, supple and smooth.
	Brut de Brut Sparkling NV: A classic sparkling wine perfect for any celebration.		White Port NV: Made from Viognier and Muscat, fortified with brandy.