Viticulture + Winemaking | Mount Langi Ghiran

With 70 hectares under vine, the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard is truly unique with the ‘Old Block’ producing one of Australia’s most distinctive and distinguished wines, the Langi Shiraz. Predominantly red grapes with Shiraz being the dominant variety, other varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Barbera, Grenache, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Viognier.

The raw elements of climate, soil, and vine combine to create this unique vineyard which is one of the most isolated in Australia. The weathered granite cliff face and sedimentary soils, the cold prevailing winds forming off the Southern Ocean and the historic vinestock all play a critical role in producing the distinctive flavours of Mount Langi Ghiran wines.

Climate + Soil

At an elevation of 350 metres above sea level and set between the namesake Mount Langi Ghiran (922m) and Mount Cole (760m), the mountains create a cooling effect as cold air tumbles down and into the valley. The shadow cast shortens the effective sunshine hours in Autumn, extending grape ripening and contributing a natural acidity and intense fruit flavours to our wines. Mount Langi Ghiran is in fact amongst the last Shiraz vineyards to be picked in Australia. With a Mean January Temperature (MJT) of 18.35°C, Langi is colder than Launceston, Tasmania which has an MJT of 20.4°C.

Erosion of the mountain over time has created a unique profile of granite sands over sedimentary red clay loam that is rarely found in Australian viticulture. The texture of this soil profile is ideal for moderating the natural vigour of the Shiraz vine, contributing the subtle spicy pepper flavour for which we’re renowned.

The Shiraz vine originated in the Rhone Valley, France where it developed a natural affinity for granite soils over centuries, similar to the soil found here at Mount Langi Ghiran.

Vineyards

The Old Block was planted in 1969 with a unique Shiraz clone taken from the 140 year old Nursery Block in Great Western. This clone predates phylloxera in the Rhone and forms some of the oldest Shiraz clonal material in the world.

Over the years, we have experimented with many other clones of shiraz however consistently our Old Block material continues to produce the most distinctive fruit reflective of our classic cool climate hallmarks of pepper and red blue fruit. As such we continue to propagate new Shiraz vines here in our nursery from the original Old Block, planting throughout the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard.

Winemaking

Our focus is on producing distinctive cool climate wines with each vintage a reflection of our unique site and its seasons with unrivalled cellaring potential, epitomising the finesse of cool climate wines.

Winemaking Philosophy

Our focus is on producing distinctive cool climate wines with each vintage a reflection of our unique site and its seasons with unrivalled cellaring potential, epitomising the finesse of cool climate wines. The long, slow ripening of our grapes, particularly Shiraz, contributes to the development of a stunning range of fruit flavours, perfumes, pepper and spice that are harnessed in the winery creating graceful wines of depth and detail. Picking decisions are at the heart of what we do –driven by the intimate understanding we have of each block and knowing when the fruit is at its peak. When the fruit comes into the winery, each parcel is judged on its merits and the vagaries of the season and handled accordingly to showcase the very best of our property and vines. This is what makes each new release so exciting. Winemaking at Mount Langi Ghiran has undergone a generational shift into younger hands over the past 15 years. This shift sees innovation and fresh ideas into the science of wine production, whilst honouring our legacy. Each generation of winemakers has built upon the foundations laid down by hands before them, producing wines that embody the essence of Mount Langi Ghiran.

Historic Clonal Material

The Old Block was planted in 1969 with a unique Shiraz clone taken from the 140 year old Nursery Block in Great Western. This clone had originally been brought from the Rhône Valley in the 19th century, before phylloxera decimated French vineyards, and it thrived in the granitic soils of Mount Langi Ghiran.

Now, it forms some of the oldest Shiraz clonal material in the world. Over the years, we have experimented with many other clones of shiraz however consistently our Old Block material continues to produce the most distinctive fruit reflective of our classic cool climate hallmarks of pepper and red blue fruit. As such we continue to propagate new Shiraz vines here in our nursery from the original Old Block, planting throughout the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard.

Consistently producing outstanding, elegant wines throughout the late 80s and 90s earned Langi Shiraz a place on the Langton’s classification.

Langton’s Classification of Australian wine is the paramount form guide to Australia’s finest wines. Since the Langi Shiraz first featured in the classification, it has remained in the guide and is presented in the Excellent category.