Zema Estate

Zema Estate
Zema Estate Riddoch HighwayPO Box 12 COONAWARRA SA 5263
Telephone: +61 8 8736 3219Facsimile: +61 8 8736 3280

Winemaking Vintage commences in late March early April with great care taken to preserve the intense flavours throughout the winemaking process. A combination of fermentation in potters, rotary fermenters and oak develop further richness and complexity with maturation in small oak casks produce wines of deep colour, fruit richness and concentration. Zema Estate's Winemaker Greg Clayfield manages a modern winery that has been set up for small batch wine making using the very best equipment.

Greg Clayfield joined Zema Estate in March 2006 and in doing so bringing with him an impressive 29 year track record in Winemaking and Winery Management including appointments with Rouge Homme (1978-1991), Wynns Coonawarra Estate (1991-2005), numerous wine show accolades and being awarded the 1988 International Winemaker of the Year. Greg is Coonawarra born and bred and was first drawn to the world of winemaking after many years riding the school bus up and down the terra rossa strip and observing the activity and growth of the local wine industry. Greg’s enthusiasm and interest in wine saw him helping out at local wineries during vintage before going on to complete a Diploma in Oenology at Roseworthy College, South Australia in 1977.

Greg has known the Zema family since the early 1960’s and observed them establish one of Coonawarra’s most respected wineries. “To work at a winery that I have been able to watch being built from scratch and be involved with a Family that I have a long term association with and a lot of respect for presents itself as a great opportunity.” Greg said. “I was delighted when the Zema Family approached me shortly after I left my previous employment. My winemaking plans are quite simple in terms of the fact that the styles and quality are well established. Zema Estate’s traditional ‘hands on’ approach to viticulture is also highly regarded. There is a good diversity of vineyards that provide a great strategic mix ranging from the subtly cooler Cluny block at the southern end of the renowned terra rossa strip to the comparatively riper and drier Glenroy block at the northern end of Coonawarra. These are both complimented by the home block which sits right in the heart of the original John Riddoch Coonawarra Fruit Colony in Coonawarra which features great older Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines and is also the site of the winery and Cellar Door.” The Zema family is thrilled with Greg’s appointment and feels very fortunate in securing the services of someone with his passion, skills and experience.

The bottling of all Zema Estate wines is done on-site at the winery. The family has for many years operated its own bottling line however due to increasing demand this has recently changed to using a large and modern mobile bottling facility which sets up on-site on demand. Bottling times are determined by the maturation and development of the wines, with all aspects overseen by Winemaker Greg Clayfield and the family. Wine of the Week “The Zema family are among Coonawarra's quiet achievers. Without great fanfare, they produce an excellent range of red wines without too much mucking around. Family Selection is Zema's top wine and this 2004 Cabernet is an outstanding example of an Australian classic wine type. Sweet blackcurrant syrup aromas meet the nose, with hints of black olive and a floral note. Perfectly weighted cedary oak plays its part well, and the palate is ripe and complete, finishing in perfectly balanced ripe tannins”

Sauvignon Blanc
Zema Estate’s Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and crisp, with tropical flavours including passionfruit and attractive underlying citrus – lemon / lime characters. An excellent match to a range of fresh foods and dishes. The 2006 Sauvignon Blanc has SOLD OUT. Merlot
Zema Estate Merlot, with rich complex spicy plum fruit and cedar oak nose, displays classical Merlot varietal characters. Soft and approachable on release with the structure and depth that rewards cellaring.

Cluny
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this wine exhibits rich sweet fruit with oak overtones and intense complex flavours derived from the use of these four grape varieties. This wine may be enjoyed young with its full fruit flavours or allowed to develop further with bottle ageing.

Shiraz Zema Estate Shiraz is a rich robust wine with trademark Coonawarra characteristics of pepper and spicy fruit integrated with vanillan oak overtones. A well weighted wine with excellent structure that will continue to develop with bottle age.

Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark Coonawarra Cabernet, concentrated with rich blackberry and mint fruit further enhanced with well integrated oak. A well structured and balanced wine allowing further development with bottle age. http://www.zema.com.au