(Padthaway, Australia - March 2005) Stonehaven Vineyards of Australia has just completed what it calls its best vintage in at least five years.

Stonehaven winemaker Susanne Bell said the season’s fair weather and long dry spell allowed grapes to “ripen to perfection” and contributed to the earliest finish in the winery’s 7-year history, a full two weeks sooner than usual.

“This year’s vintage was the best for grape quality since 1999,” Ms. Bell declared. “The big plus this season was the ideal weather conditions which promoted even ripening. We achieved full physiological ripeness and excellent tannin structure this year, which is not always easy in a cool climate. Two things really helped – a naturally low cropping year, and dry weather throughout harvest, giving us more picking options.”

Ms. Bell said Cabernet Sauvignon from Stonehaven’s Wrattonbully vineyard faired particularly well this year, with excellent tannins and structure. Shiraz and Merlot also showed intense fruit and spice flavors, while Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer retained excellent levels of natural acidity and freshness thanks to cool weather.

The Stonehaven winery, opened in 1998, is located in Padthaway, with more than 2,200 acres of dedicated vineyards in the Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Coonawara and Elgin Valley areas of the “Limestone Coast,” a prestigious wine-growing region, which is characterized by a bedrock of limestone and rich terra rossa soil ideal for growing grapes. Stonehaven’s vineyards were assembled and planted over the past 25 years by Australia’s leading wine company, BRL Hardy, which then developed Stonehaven to focus on the Limestone Coast’s unique terroir. In 2004, Stonehaven became the first winery in the Limestone Coast region to obtain official ISO certification, recognizing its commitment to environmental principles.

Stonehaven, represented exclusively in the US by the nation's leading wine importer, Banfi Vintners, produces three tiers of regional varietals: the popular Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot and Shiraz/Cabernet blend, all from the South Eastern Australia appellation, which retail for approximately $5.99 to $6.99 for a 750ml bottle; a Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from within the more restricted and esteemed Limestone Coast region, which sell for around $12.99 to $13.99 and are available in 750ml bottles only; and the soon to be released Winemaker’s Selection, including four varietals sourced from the prestigious South Australia, one of the country’s premier wine-growing states: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling. The Winemaker’s Selection range is bottled with state-of-the-art screw-cap closures and retails for around $10 per 750ml. bottle.