2018 Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon

MUSEUM RELEASE

The Oakey Creek Vineyard was first planted in 1982 by the pioneering Drayton’s family, it saw subsequent plantings in 1984, 1986 and 1989, and is today one of the valley’s most awarded sites. Brokenwood has purchased Semillon from the vineyard since the early 1990’s and accounts for about 25% of our overall Semillon production. Over this time, it has been the backbone of fruit supply for our award-winning Semillons, such as the Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon and the iconic ILR Reserve Semillon. The vineyard’s composition combines free-draining alluvial over clay soil with a gentle easterly-facing rise, providing almost perfect growing conditions for Semillon. The Hunter Valley enjoyed a stress-free vintage in 2018. Low rainfall throughout 2017 meant low foliage and early fruit ripening. Picking commenced on 15th of January, with all the Semillon blocks being picked by the end of January and saw some higher sugars than normal around the Hunter Valley.