In the heart of Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Hoddles Creek Estate is a benchmark of winemaking. A family-owned vineyard that makes wines that are true to their terroir. With a history of vineyard management and tradition at its core, Hoddles Creek Estate has carved out a reputation in the Australian wine world. From the flagship Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 2023 to the Road King Valley Pinot Gris, they have a range of wines for the serious wine drinker.
Single Vineyard
At the heart of Hoddles Creek Estate is a single vineyard. This means terroir – the environment that the grapes grow in and the wine that is produced. By focusing on single vineyard sites like Wickhams Road and Gembrook Road, every bottle of wine is a true reflection of its site so that the Yarra Valley can be seen in every wine.
The estate uses sustainable farming methods to look after the vineyard. This includes mechanical harvesting to get optimal fruit exposure and a very hands on approach to disease management.
History of Creek Estate
Hoddles Creek Estate was established in 1995 by the d’Anna family. Named after the nearby Hoddles Creek, the estate was born with a dream to make great quality wines that capture the Yarra Valley. Over time Hoddles Creek Estate has grown from a small operation to a well known name in the Australian wine world, with accolades from wine critics and wine shows.
The estate has many milestones in its history including the development of its sloping blocks and split level winery. These have allowed Hoddles Creek Estate to refine its winemaking and produce wines like the Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir and Road Gippsland Pinot Noir.
The Winemaking
Hoddles Creek Estate’s winemaking philosophy is a balance of tradition and innovation. The estate takes a minimalist approach to winemaking, allowing the natural characters of the grapes and the vineyard to shine through. This is reflected in the selection of fruit, traditional fermentation methods and the aging that adds complexity and depth to the wines.
They use a variety of methods to get every wine to be a true reflection of the vineyard. This includes hand picking at optimal ripeness, small batch fermentation to control quality and oak and stainless steel maturation.
Winemaker Franco d’Anna
Franco d’Anna, the winemaker behind Hoddles Creek Estate, is the driving force behind the wines. With a background in viticulture and oenology, Franco has a wealth of knowledge and experience. His approach is traditional with a twist. He respects the old ways but loves the new.
Franco is involved in every step of the process, so the wines from Hoddles Creek Estate are made with precision and love. His focus on quality and ability to capture the Yarra Valley terroir has earned him a reputation in the industry.
The Wines
Hoddles Creek Estate has a range of wines, each a reflection of their vineyards.
Pinot Noir
The Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir, especially the 2023, is known for its depth and finesse. This wine has a complex nose with red fruit and subtle spice. Refined tannins and balanced acidity make it a Pinot Noir for connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
Chardonnay
The Yarra Valley Chardonnay from Hoddles Creek Estate is all about vibrancy and acidity. Citrus and green olive, this is what Hoddles Creek is all about.
Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvignon Blanc is all about bright and aromatic. Single vineyard, this shows the estate’s focus on single vineyard wines. Citrus and acidity, perfect for wine lovers.
Pinot Gris
The Hoddles Creek Pinot Gris, including the 2022, is a lovely mix of fruit and minerality. Crisp and balanced, it’s a wine for any occasion.
Awards and Accolades
Hoddles Creek Estate has won many awards over the years. The Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Wickhams Road King Valley Pinot Gris have been listed in wine guides and won awards in wine competitions. These awards show the estate’s focus on quality and consistency.
The table below summarizes some of the key awards and accolades received by Hoddles Creek Estate.
| Award | Year | Wine | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Melbourne Wine Awards | 2023 | Pinot Noir 2021 | Best Pinot Noir |
| James Halliday Wine Companion | 2022 | Chardonnay 2020 | 94 Points |
| Langton’s Classification | 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc 2021 | Excellent Value |
| Australian Wine Show | 2021 | Pinot Gris 2020 | Gold Medal |
| Wine Spectator | 2021 | Hoddles Creek Estate Range | Top 100 Wines |
These awards show the estate can produce top quality wines and are a validation of being a Yarra Valley wine tour leader.
FAQ
What’s special about Hoddles Creek Estate single vineyard wines?
Hoddles Creek Estate single vineyard wines are all about terroir expression, each wine is a reflection of its site. This means high quality wines with individual flavour profiles and balance.
Who is Franco and what does he do at Hoddles Creek Estate?
Franco d’Anna is the winemaker at Hoddles Creek Estate. With many years of experience and a background in top wineries he makes the estate’s wines including the Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What wines does Hoddles Creek Estate produce?
Hoddles Creek Estate produces the Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 2023, Yarra Valley Chardonnay and Road Gippsland Pinot Noir. Each wine is made with love.
How do Hoddles Creek Estate achieve quality?
The estate uses sustainable farming, minimal intervention winemaking and winemakers like Franco d’Anna. This means each wine is top quality and true to site.
Where can I buy Hoddles Creek Estate wines?
Hoddles Creek Estate wines can be bought direct from the estate, through select retailers and online. For the best experience visit their website or contact their customer service for real time shipping rates and availability.
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