McPherson Wines

2015 Royal Sydney Wine Show Results Feb 13

Two silver medals awarded to the Basilisk Shiraz Mourvedre 2013 (90 Points) and the

MWC Pinot Gris 2014 (92 Points).

The Chapter Three Shiraz 2013 received a Bronze Medal and 85 Points.

McPherson Wines had its beginnings in 1968.  My father, Jock McPherson, worked in wineries in the early days of the industry in New South Wales.  From him I learned the joys of winemaking, along with an honours degree in the use of colourful language.  In 1974 I began winemaking in my own right, and have spent my working life to date in the wine industry. 

In 1993 I established vineyard holdings in the Murray Darling region near Mildura.  This region principally surrounds the mighty Murray River, the source of much Australian folklore due to its beauty and majesty.  I had my eye on the red brick soil of the Goulburn Valley in Central Victoria, and acquired 350 acres which offered great promise for cool climate red wines which today are used to grow the grapes for the Chapter Three and Basilisk wines.

In early 2000, McPherson Wines opened our world class bottling facitily in Victoria.  Located next to the winery just outside the town of Nagambie in Central Victoria, we bottle our own wines along with premium wines from wineries all over Victoria.

Croftwood Vineyard ­ Murray Darling

Size: 85 Ha (210 Acres)
Grape Varieties Grown: Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

The Murray Darling is so named for the two great rivers that run through the region ­ the Murray River and the Darling River. One of the most significant grape growing areas in Australia, the region is over 350km wide (east to west) and is renowned for its production of soft, generously flavoured wines. Consistency, reliability and value for money are hallmarks of wines from the Murray Darling and it is for these reasons that McPherson Wines chose to plant vineyards here.

The McPherson family established their Croftwood vineyard along the Murray River near Mildura in 1994. Here, the Murray journeys northwest through the heart of Australia’s famous “red cliffs” area, where the dry, warm climate and brick-red soils conspire to endow McPherson’s red wines with a beguiling combination of forward fruit, structure and intensity.

Sinclair Vineyard ­ Goulburn Valley

Size: 140 Ha (350 Acres)
Grape Varieties Grown: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne,
Verdelho, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

The Sinclair vineyard, along the Goulburn River, is adjacent to the McPherson winery. Here, the river’s system of lakes, creeks and billabongs conspire to form a unique meso-climate that is dramatically influenced by its inland water mass.

The effect of this water mass is cooler and more moderate vineyard temperatures during the growing season, which in turn gives the McPherson white wines greater elegance and finesse, and its reds a rich, robust flavour, distinctive of the region.

Winemaker Jo Nash

Jo's 2014 release wines have been awarded a total of 4 Trophies and 11 Gold Medals in major Australian Shows, and her outstanding MWC Shiraz Mourvedre 2013 was listed as one of James Halliday's TOP 100 Wines of 2014.

After graduating from Charles Sturt University, Jo worked under Andrew McPherson tutelage, and in 2011 was appointed Chief Winemaker at McPherson Wines. 
Jo's natural affinity with, and passion for winemaking is evident in all aspects of her life. 
Married to a winemaker, they make small batch wine at home, elisting their four young children to help pick the grapes and stomp on them with their bare feet.

We oversee the day to day operations of our Central Victorian Winery and world class bottling facility.  I am very proud of our Chapter Three, Basilisk and McPherson Signature Range Wines, which are enjoyed by people in thirty six different countries.  I am now a grandfather to seven grandchildren, born to my daughters Alex and Catriona and son Angus. 

Both Alex and Angus have pursued careers in the wine industry; however the black sheep of the family, Catriona, is a corporate lawyer.  The Australian Wine Industry has played a major part in our family’s everyday life, and we have loved watching the industry grow from a cottage industry to a major player on the world wine stage.

Andrew McPherson.