Mount Langi Ghiran

FIRST VINES PLANTED

We planted our ‘Contour Block’ just ten years ago but it is situated at the very site where the first selector, W.H. McIntosh, planted his vineyard. The land still bears the imprint of this early vineyard with a series of contours running across the face of the sloping hill. When we came to ‘re-plant’ this block we discovered some of the finest soils on the whole property.

Looking at the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard today it is hard to believe that it started out as a scrub block with a scattering of tin sheds. In 1963 an Italian immigrant family, the Fratins, had dreams of creating a little piece of Veneto here in Australia. They worked hard at clearing the land to make way for their vines and chestnuts. Finally, Don, Lino and Serge Fratin replanted the first vines on Mount Langi Ghiran and in doing so, created the iconic “Langi” Old Block Shiraz.

The brothers continued planting vines, adding Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Franc however, not satisfied with just grapes they planted chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and some fruit trees. The grapes were sold to the Seppelts winery in Great Western with just a little kept back for their own purposes. The cellar they built into the side of the hill was a feast for the senses, the rafters sagging with salami, and other smallgoods, and stillage racks holding the new vintage’s wines in barrel.

TREVOR MAST

It didn’t take long for the Fratin brothers to make and produce wine under their own label but after some early success they had a misfire with the 1980 vintage and decided they needed the services of a consultant. They were fortunate to have at their doorstep one of the best consultants available at the time, Trevor Mast. Trevor was steadily gaining in reputation, talented and energetic; he was the right man in the right place for the Fratins 1981 vintage.

No more than six years later Trevor and his wife Sandra purchased Mount Langi Ghiran with Ian Menzies. A turning point for Mount Langi Ghiran, Trevor had a vision for a cool-climate Shiraz, before cool—climate was in vogue, and so the iconic Langi Shiraz was just around the corner.

ICONIC COOL CLIMATE SHIRAZ

In 1996, the ’94 vintage of Langi Shiraz received international acknowledgement when it appeared on the cover of Wine Spectator next to Penfolds Grange and Henschke’s Mount Edelstone Shiraz, truly setting the benchmark for Australian cool- climate Shiraz. A remarkable vintage, it was a representation of the wine coming out of Mount Langi Ghiran and it secured Mount Langi Ghiran’s place in the Australian Wine Industry.

Consistently producing outstanding, elegant wines throughout the late eighties and nineties earned the 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 Langton’s Classification it has remained in the guide and is presented in the Excellent category.

THE RATHBONE FAMILY

After 15 years of running flat out to build the name of Mount Langi Ghiran, Trevor knew it was time for the brand to go to the next level. At the same time the Rathbone family were formulating a strategy for a new wine business. This model was to focus on wineries with the potential for excellence in a specific varietal and located in only premium regions, Yering Station in the Yarra Valley was the first piece in their strategy and in late 2002 Mount Langi Ghiran became the perfect next piece. Trevor stayed on as head winemaker and Dan Buckle joined his winemaking team.

In 2004, Trevor took a step back and Dan Buckle became the chief winemaker at Mount Langi Ghiran. Dan, who had worked alongside industry great James Halliday, and had five years’ experience at Yering Station under his belt was a coup for Mount Langi Ghiran. He had a family background in the wine industry and Mount Langi Ghiran was excited to see what he would produce.

Trevor remained at Mount Langi Ghiran until 2006; it was at this time that Trevor was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. A sad time for Mount Langi Ghiran, Trevor not only established Mount Langi Ghiran as a respected producer of cool-climate Shiraz in the Australia but it was his exceptional winemaking skills and vision that propelled Mount Langi Ghiran to international recognition. Sadly, Trevor passed away in 2012 after tirelessly battling his condition.  He was a true inspiration and he leaves behind a legacy at Mount Langi Ghiran the current team continues to uphold and aspire to, always striving to produce wines of the highest quality.

RECENT & COMING DAYS

After 8 years with Langi, Dan Buckle decided to head back to the Yarra Valley and Kate Petering who joined the winemaking team in 2006 was appointed Chief Winemaker. With extensive knowledge and winemaking experience in the region and overseas, it was fitting for Kate to continue the tradition of producing quality wines.

In 2014 Mount Langi Ghiran were very lucky to have Ben Haines join the Langi team as Chief Winemaker. Ben, whose talent, passion and fascination with wine precedes him, is a very refreshing addition to the Mount Langi Ghiran team. His enthusiasm for wine, particularly Rhone varietals, is matched only by his talent. His work has taken him all across Australia, with work in Nagambie at Mitchelton Wines for four years. Ben has worked at Yering Station winery for three years and is now stretching his wings in the Mount Langi Ghiran winery.

CLIMATE

Although the climate at Mount Langi Ghiran is marginal for grape growing, it is ideal for producing cool climate wines of distinctive character. The vineyards are situated at the base of the 922 metre cliff face of Mount Langi Ghiran, at an elevation of 350 metres above sea level. Approximately 3km opposite is the equally majestic Mount Cole. The two mountains create a cooling effect as cold air tumbles down the mountains and flows through the valley at night. During Autumn, the shadow thrown by the mountain shortens the effective sunshine hours, creating perfect conditions for an extended ripening period.

Under these conditions, berry ripening is slow, grapes retain excellent acid levels and produce the intense fruit flavours for which the Langi wines are known. In fact, due to the temperature, Mount Langi Ghiran is always among the last Shiraz vineyards to be picked in Australia. With a Mean January Temperature (MJT) of 18.35 degrees C, Langi is colder than Launceston in Tasmania, which has MJT of 20.4 degrees C.

SOIL

Mount Langi Ghiran has an unusual soil profile that is rarely found in Australian viticulture. The mountain itself is an isolated geological feature, through erosion granite sands have permeated the sedimentary red clay loam creating an ideal texture for moderating the natural vigour of the Shiraz vine.  The Shiraz vine originated in the Rhône Valley in France where over the centuries it developed a natural affinity for the granite soils. And so it is here at Mount Langi Ghiran that we find the greatest expression of Shiraz lies in these soils. Thus the soils at Mount Langi Ghiran create wines with character and distinction, which resonates with the wines grown on granite.

GRAPES

The Old Block at Mount Langi Ghiran, home to the iconic Langi Shiraz, was planted to the Swiss clone Shiraz taken from the 140 year old Nursery Block in Great Western. This unique clone of Shiraz is perfectly matched with the cool climate of the Grampians, producing spicy pepper characteristics for which Mount Langi Ghiran has become renowned. The clone arrived in Australia with Swiss immigrants venturing to Western Victoria in search of gold. This clone is unique in that it predates phyloxera in the Rhone and forms some of the oldest Shiraz clonal material anywhere in the world. 

In 1981, cuttings taken from the old block are now the backbone for the Cliff Edge Shiraz, warmly referred to as the ‘Baby Langi’. Mount Langi Ghiran now has 80 hectares under vine, primarily red grapes, the dominant variety of course being Shiraz. While 80% of the production is Shiraz, other varieties planted at the estate include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and the white varieties: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling.

Langi Shiraz is selectively hand harvested from the iconic “Langi Old Block”, planted in 1963 to what we refer to as “Swiss Clone”. This site has produced unique and highly expressive cool climate shiraz since 1979. Each vintage deeply reflects Langi and its seasons, and epitomises the finesse of cool climate shiraz. Up to 10 parcels of fruit are separately harvested across the block to capture and highlight the nuances of the site. Due to its cool climate, Old Block is typically one of the last shiraz vineyards to be harvested in Australia. A long, slow ripening contributes to the development of a stunning range of fruit flavours, perfumes, pepper and spice; Old Block delivers highly complex, graceful shiraz with depth and detail.

Across the years, Langi Shiraz has seen various winemaker interpretations; the progressive and dynamic approach to the vineyard and winemaking here at Langi has been critical in exploring, and defining the essence of the Langi Old Block, and Langi Shiraz. In 1996, the 94’ vintage of Langi Shiraz received international acknowledgement when it appeared on the cover of Wine Spectator next to Penfolds Grange and Henschke’s Mount Edelstone Shiraz, truly setting the benchmark for Australian cool- climate Shiraz. A remarkable vintage, it was a representation of the wine coming out of Mount Langi Ghiran and it secured Langi’s place in the Wine Industry. 

Consistently producing outstanding, elegant wines throughout the late 80’s and 90’s earned the Langi Shiraz a place on the Langton’s classification. Nowadays Langi remains on the in the Excellent category. Most recent vintages and current releases continue to be acclaimed by media and collectors of fine wines. Year after year the Langi Shiraz becomes more scarce. Indeed, as Mount Langi Ghiran Wine Club keeps growing every months, more Langi Shiraz than ever are being reserved to ensure members have access to this wine in the future.

Langi includes also a Riesling from our Old Block Riesling planted in 1975. Mount Langi Ghiran has been producing spicy dry Riesling since 1982. The site’s specific climate, together with granite sands and minimal irrigation, delivers grapes with great purity and stunning natural acidity. Nowadays, Langi Riesling is a small section of 15 panels across 15 rows at the southern crest of the block was selectively hand-harvested in order to capture their flavour intensity and razor-fine acidity. As a result, we are able to create wines with great energy and depth and with superb cellaring potential.