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In the Barossa and beyond, the Burge name is on the rise again.
Almost a decade after Barossa Valley wine legend Grant Burge sold his eponymously named wine business, his children, Trent and Amelia Burge, are writing a new chapter in the family’s 150-year wine story.
Corryton Burge, the label launched by Trent and Amelia four years ago, is now producing 28,000 dozen a year and winning the respect of wine judges, including having its chief winemaker, Matt Pellew, named the 2022 Barossa Winemaker of the Year by the Barons of Barossa.
Corryton Burge’s juicy Kith Barossa Valley Grenache stars this week in a premium mix of Barossa reds sourced by The Australian Wine Club to showcase some of Australia’s leading winemaking talent.
Included in the offer is a cracking 96-point Greenock Creek shiraz; a lavish mataro made from cuttings taken from what is believed to be the world’s oldest mataro vineyard, and; a Spanish-style tempranillo blend from the highly regarded Alex Head.
But first, back to the next-gen Burges, who are following in the footsteps of five generations of their wine-loving family, including their famous father.
The label is named after the family’s homestead, Corryton Park, an extraordinary property built in 1845 on rolling hills in Eden Valley.
While Trent’s childhood dream was to become a Test cricketer, he has immersed himself in the family business since leaving school, starting off as a cellar hand and working in the vineyards.
“Dad really insisted on getting us to understand the basics – and his starting point was the vineyard. Great wines come from the vineyard and our job as winemakers is to stuff it up the least,’’ Trent says.
Amelia has a bachelor’s degree in wine marketing and is pouring those skills into building the Corryton Burge brand and developing key business relationships.
While the pair are blessed with their family’s knowledge and ongoing ownership of 300 hectares of vineyards, they’re also aiming to create their own legacy. “Family and heritage grounds us but every generation wants to leave its mark,’’ Trent says.
While the Barossa remains the heart within Corryton Burge, Trent and Amelia are also pushing to create different styles of wine from grower-owned vineyards elsewhere.
Quality wines from Tasmania (pinot noir and sparklings) and the Adelaide Hills (chardonnay) already feature in the portfolio. “Mum and Dad have worked super hard to build the base, and my sister and I believe we can create something that we can hand on too,” Trent says.
Sourced from family-owned and grower vineyards. The Burge vines are predominantly bush vines, and include some of the oldest in the valley. Lifted aromas of raspberries, sugar plums, hints of cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper lead to fleshy red fruits on the palate, carried by soft and silky tannins. This is modern grenache, with crunchy acidity driving to a fresh finish. Juicy goodness. 93 points Wine Orbit. 14.5% alc; RRP $28 a bottle.
SPONSORED: SPECIALS $23.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.99 a bottle in Barossa dozen
Classic Greenock shiraz: scents of satsuma plums, mulberries, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove beckon. Intense, pure flavours, with hints of mocha, chocolate, licorice, baking spices and vanilla adding complexity to the dark fruits. 95 points from Halliday Wine Companion and a red star for exceptional value. A stunning bargain in this deal. 13.9% alc; RRP $53 a bottle.
SPONSORED: SPECIALS $45.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.99 a bottle in Barossa dozen
Winemaker Dean Hewitson is the Barossa cheerleader for this underrated French variety. While mataro (also known as mourvèdre) is an essential element in Rhone-style grenache blends, straight varietals are less common. Hewitson’s top mataro is produced from what is believed to be the world’s oldest mataro vineyard, planted at Rowland Flat in 1853. The Favourite Child is produced from cuttings from the 1853 vineyard. You’ll enjoy aromas and flavours of forest fruits, bramble, plums, vanilla and dried herbs. Succulent, soft and silky. 94 points from Wine Orbit. 14.5% alc; RRP $50 a bottle.
SPONSORED: SPECIALS $39.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.99 a bottle in Barossa dozen
Alex Head has built a reputation as one of the Barossa’s most innovative winemakers. This is a 50/35/15% blend of tempranillo/carignan/grenache from vines ranging from 15 to 73 years old. Aromas of cherries, blackberry, mulberry and vanilla welcome you. Spanish savouriness splashes across the palate. Roll out the tapas. 94 points from Halliday Wine Companion and a red star for exceptional value. 14% alc; RRP $28 a bottle.
SPONSORED: SPECIALS $23.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.99 a bottle in Barossa dozen
SPONSORED: BAROSSA DOZEN Three bottles of each wine above for $21.99 a bottle. SAVE $213 a dozen
Order by simply clicking the links to our online store or telephone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm AEST. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550. Stockhead is partnering with The Australian Wine Club on this offer.
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