VOLCANO WINE’S ERUPTION OF FLAVOUR

ANGULLONG Station and Vineyard at Orange in the NSW Central West has garnered itself something of an outstanding reputation for fruit it’s provided on contract since the turn of the century to many of the top names in the district’s winemaking industry.

Following its successes in that field, in 2003 it decided to launch its own A Wines label, and has now followed this with a Fossil Hill range that reflects the adventurous spirit of its owners, the Crossing family: they’ve opted for non-traditional Pinot Gris, Viognier, Sangiovese and Barbera from vines that have taken to the unique 450-million year old soils of Angullong like the proverbial duck to water.

The Crossing family – directors Bill and Hatty and their sons, James who is Vineyard Manager, and Ben Director of Sales and Marketing – bought Angullong Station on the lower slopes of the ancient Mt Canobolas volcano in 1950, adding the vineyard in 1998.

And interestingly they use several local winemakers who are overseen by well-known Orange regional guru, Jon Reynolds to make these wines, outstanding of which among their Fossil Hill range is the 2006 Pinot Gris.

This is a variety that’s gaining strong following amongst real wine buffs looking for that something a little different, the Fossil Hill Pinot Gris a wine with an eruption of rich pear and pineapple flavours, crisp acidity, and nice pear and citrus aromas.

Great value at $19.95 for those who enjoy Mediterranean-style seafood dishes from its homelands in France and Italy (where it’s known locally there as Pinot Grigio.)