After an unusually mild summer it was quite a challenge for the winemaker at Raleigh Vineyard and Winery to produce great wine from grapes that had not experienced much sunny, warm weather.

“The quality of the fruit was excellent given the conditions but with picking delayed by two weeks to ripen the fruit we were still not able to achieve fruit with the optimum high sugar levels,” says Vinny Dingle, proprietor and winemaker at the winery.

“I am therefore really pleased with the results. The wines are quite complex with terrific flavour and whilst a little lighter in body, they are sure to please. I will definitely be entering them in the NSW and the Australian Small Winemakers Show again this year.”

The wines being released are the dry white, the sweet white and the long awaited rose.

“We sold out of the Rose a few months ago and I have had many enquiries as to when the next vintage would be available. I think the 2008 will surpass the previous vintage and will again be a best seller,” said Vinny.

The reds are the 2007 vintage and they comprise the Riverbank Red a traditional dry wine and the popular Bellarosa which is not quite dry and chilled.

Vinny is also making a dessert wine which will be ready later this year. The

conversion of the vineyard from traditional grape varieties to the Chambourcin and Villard Blanc planted from 2001 till 2005 has been a great success and bodes well for the future of the vineyard in light of global warming.

The winery is open from 10am till 5pm from Wednesday until Sunday and is open seven (7) days during the NSW school holidays. For more information please contact 66554388 or visit the website at www.raleighwines.com.