About Us
Star Lane Vineyard is a small family owned and run boutique winery. Brett Barnes is the viticulturist and his wife Liz is the wine maker.
The vineyard was planted in 1997 comprising of 5 acres of Merlot and 5 acres of Shiraz grapes.
The vineyard is planted using the VSP trellacing system. The soil structure is red loam over mudstone with the combination of soil, elevation and exposure this site is well suited to both Merlot and Shiraz grapes. At lot of time is taken in canopy management to produce quality fruit which is cropped at 1.8 tonne per acre.
The vineyard is situated at an elevation of 450 metres on a slightly undulating site.
The fruit at Star Lane Vineyard is hand picked in the cool of the early morning using only the best fruit on the vines. The vines are low yielding and the berry size is kept small creating good skin to flesh ratio which creates intensity in the wine.
The wine is wild fermented in open top fermenters, basket pressed and allowed to go through a long slow secondary fermentation and is aged in 100% French with 50% new French oak barrels for nearly two years. The 2005 vintage wines are not overly high in alcohol and both the Shiraz and particularly the Merlot have been described as being elegant with finesse. Star Lane produces 800 cases of Merlot and 800 cases of Shiraz.
Rick Kinzbrunner from Giaconda Vineyard has assisted with the making commencing with the 2005.
Star Lane Vineyard currently specialises in red varieties. Kate and Rex Lucas are partners in the winery and have planted small plantings of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo to be released in two years time.
Star Lane Winery is now open to the public every weekend and you are welcome to come and visit the Cellar Door for tasting and sales. Come along to the winery and enjoy a bottle of wine overlooking the vineyard and hills and order one of Katie’s famous Grazing Platters filled with home made produce made on the premises.
We are open each weekend to the public for Cellar Door and any day for sales by appointment. So please call Liz or Brett on 0357287268 or Katie on 0357287200.
