Joan 2021 Chardonnay by Sigurd

The Joan project is inspired by Sigurd’s Daughter, Dan’s Grannie, Joan.

Born in the Riverland in South Australia, she knew no bounds – travelling state by state and into the world. With strength in character, Joan has a history of stone fruit and grape farming in her blood; her father Sigurd survived two wars and worked his settlement block with his family, where he and his wife Jean housed their 4 children, one of which was Joan.

Joan later married Bruce Graham from Loxton, and together they ran a mixed farming block, from propagation, to picking, to drying. Of the 5 of Joan and Bruce’s children, Dan’s father Ralph took to the block the most, taking to the artistry of winemaking, where Dan now follows in his footsteps.

With these wines we wanted to deliver something that would be worthy of dedication to the name, Joan. With fruit from an organic block in the Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, these wines carry a certain elegance, and authenticity, continued through their journey in the winery. 98 years old, this is an ode to the humble and hardworking, though poised and refined woman that is Joan, may these wines age as gracefully and be as long living as Joan herself.

Joan 2021 Chardonnay

Harvest 2021 - A cool, wetter year has lead to great growing conditions (compared to the drought years previous), this lead to wines with finesse and structure. They shall age gracefully and will definitely do with extended cellaring.

2021 Chardonnay - two clones of Chardonnay, 96 and I10V1 were used for this wine. Harvested over two picking about 2 weeks apart, 1st with more lineal acid lines and the 2nd pick showing more abundance of fresh fruit and pithy lemon. Whole bunch pressed to 50% new oak, using an extra tight grain barrel with a light toast to allow for slow maturation. Left in place for 17 months on gross lees and then in bottle for another 10 months. Drink now to 10+ years.

Vineyard: Greg Willsmore
pH: 3.2
TA: 6.7 g/l
Alc/Vol: 12.3%
Clones: 96/I10VI