Tamburlaine is Australia’s largest producer of organic wines, although not a large winery in world terms. The winery was established in 1966 in the renowned Pokolbin district of the Hunter Valley. In 1985, a small group of friends and relatives, led by Managing Director and Chief Winemaker, Mark Davidson, purchased the Pokolbin, Hunter Valley winery and vineyard from its founder, Dr Lance Allen.
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Organic wine, like organic food, is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and artificial fertilizers on the farm, and without wine additives which are residual in the end product, with the exception of careful use of sulphur dioxide to prevent spoilage and premature oxidation.
As an environmental advocate, Tamburlaine is one of a few Australian wineries to feature the Australian Certified Organic logo on its labels. Its vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Orange (NSW, Australia) are audited yearly to ensure no synthetic chemicals are used and strict practices are maintained. This means instead of toxic pesticides, Tamburlaine only uses organic fertilizers like seaweed, nettle, worm teas and composted recycled organic waste. The winery waste water is recycled, and a vertical composting unit ensures all waste from the vineyard including grape skins and stalks, wood chips, shredded paper and leaf litter is recycled and reused.
Using organic farming methods in the growing of grape vines enables;
- Farming to be sustainable through optimisation of organic material (humus) in soils
- Vines sustained by sustained natural fertility of the soil and enhanced biological health in soils, rather than by using synthetic soluble fertilisers
- Wines produced with flavours that better represent where they are grown
- Reduced necessity for irrigation – humus in soils enhances water retention
- Elimination of harmful farm chemical impacts on the surrounding environment
- Elimination of potential wine toxins for wine consumers
- Promoters of good bugs in the vineyard ecosystem which naturally defend the plant against insects and disease
Tamburlaine’s certified organic and biodynamic wines have consistently won awards. They believe that without the use of chemicals, the wine has a cleaner, richer flavour that accurately represents the ‘terrior’ of where the grapes are grown. Another benefit is that the minimal use of preservatives can reduce any unpleasant side effects like headaches and allergic reactions.
Tamburlaine Reserve Verdelho 2012 is full of tropical fruits, uncut apricot and honeysuckle notes. Varietal fruit salad flavours are balanced by tight acidity. A classic Hunter Valley Verdelho with good aging potential.
Tamburlaine
Address 358 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Telephone 02 4998 4200
Open Daily 9am to 5pm
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