Tahbilk 1927 Vines Marsanne

Tahbilk winery was established in 1860 and purchased by Reginald Purbrick in 1925. Newly appointed winemaker Eric Stevens Purbrick requested the planting of Marsanne vines in 1927, sourcing cuttings to establish what would become a historic block. Earlier Marsanne cuttings brought to the estate from St Huberts Vineyard in the Yarra Valley in 1860 had not survived. The 1927 vines have now persisted for nearly a century in continuous production, making this block a globally unique viticultural survivor. The wine was first commercially released as a labeled single vineyard expression in 1998.

• Tahbilk established 1860; purchased by Reginald Purbrick in 1925
• 1927 planting initiated by winemaker Eric Stevens Purbrick
• Original 1860 Marsanne cuttings from St Huberts, Yarra Valley, did not survive
• Single vineyard commercial release began in 1998

The vineyard sits within the Nagambie Lakes subregion of the Goulburn Valley in Central Victoria. Nagambie Lakes is one of only six regions worldwide where vineyard mesoclimate is significantly influenced by a large inland body of water, and one of only eight locations globally shaped so dramatically by proximity to water. The lake-moderated mesoclimate delivers cooler growing seasons, reduced frost risk, milder summers, and an extended growing season. Soils are rich ferric types, specifically a red sandy loam with high ferric-oxide content, providing excellent drainage and consistent vine stress that concentrates fruit character.

• Subregion: Nagambie Lakes, within the Goulburn Valley Wine Region GI
• One of only six regions globally with vineyards significantly influenced by inland water mass
• Inland location creates high seasonal and diurnal temperature variation
• Soils are red sandy loam with high ferric-oxide content

The 1927 Vines Marsanne is made using traditional oxidative techniques, a style comparable to the approach used for Hunter Valley Semillon. When young, the wine is virtually water-white in colour with searingly high acidity and very little to offer aromatically. The wine is released at six to seven years of bottle age following an extensive wine show campaign, but its true potential requires decades in the cellar. With a minimum of 40 years cellaring potential, this is one of Australia's most age-worthy white wines. The extremely limited production makes each vintage a rare release.

• Traditional oxidative winemaking, similar to Hunter Valley Semillon technique
• Water-white with high acidity when young; unapproachable without cellaring
• Released at 6-7 years of bottle age after accolades at wine shows
• Cellaring potential of 40 years minimum

Over the decades, Tahbilk's Marsanne wines have accumulated one of the most impressive show records in Australian wine history. The estate has collected more than 70 Trophies, over 240 Gold Medals, more than 320 Silver Medals, and upward of 390 Bronze Medals for these wines. This exceptional track record across multiple vintages reflects the consistency and quality achievable from the 1927 vines and the Nagambie Lakes terroir.

• 70+ Trophies awarded across vintages
• 240+ Gold Medals, 320+ Silver Medals, 390+ Bronze Medals
• Show accolades form part of the release strategy, with wines released post-campaign
• Recognised globally as a benchmark for aged Australian white wine