SUCCESS OF A SWIFT SEA-CHANGE

ED and David Swift were only in their twenties when they decided on an earlier- rather than a later-in-life sea-change: Ed with an engineering background and David with one in design, decided they’d venture into the winemaking business.

So in the mid-1990s David started building a winery on Mt Canobolas in the Orange region of Central Western NSW, David got to in designing a label, they planted a vineyard, contracted a local grower to supply specific premium fruit for their enterprise, and invited a local winemaker well versed in the needs and potential of the Orange region, Robert Black to join them in their venture.

Their first wines under their Printhie label hit the market in 2004 and they’ve not looked back: amongst this year’s releases is a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc made from fruit off vigneron David Gartrell’s property over 1000m above sea-level on the south-western side of Mt Canobolas.

This is a wine that’s fantastically drinkable with wonderful tropical fruit-salad flavours; served well-chilled it makes an ideal companion with steamed white asparagus, a dob of parsley sauce, and warm garlic bread on the side.

For a wine that delivers far more than it’s $16.99 price tag, we just wonder if Ed and David are under-selling themselves.