SAN FRANCISCO , Calif. – April 21, 2008 – The producers of the world-renowned E&E Black Pepper Shiraz are introducing the latest addition to the Barossa Valley Estates portfolio – 2006 E Minor Chardonnay and 2005 E Minor Shiraz. Considered as the “little brothers” of the E&E Black Pepper, both wines are sourced from select vineyards from within the grower co-operative in this renowned Australian Shiraz region.

The Barossa Valley Estate vineyards are located throughout the Barossa Valley, Australia’s most famous winegrowing region, situated 40 miles north of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Barossa Valley experiences a wide temperature range and abundant sunshine, coupled with low humidity and rainfall making this an ideal climate for ripening grapes with depth, richness and varietal character. Varying soils ranging from brown loamy sands to dark earthen clay also help to create wines that are a true expression of this celebrated winemaking region .

Barossa Valley Estate is a unique partnership between a cooperative of third and fourth-generation wine growers and Constellation Wines Australia. More than 60 growers still painstakingly nurture many of the Barossa’s gnarly old vines, first planted by their ancestors in the 1840s and work exceptionally close with Stuart Bourne – Winemaker at Barossa Valley Estate, to provide the highest quality fruit.

 “A chip off the old block, E Minor wines are made in the reflection of our world-famous E&E Black Pepper from 100 percent Barossa Valley fruit,” said Bourne. “Our philosophy is to assemble the small vineyard lots, like a jigsaw puzzle, in a stylistic blend that offers exceptional value with varietal and regional distinctiveness.  E Minor is atestimony to the exceptionally close relationship that exists between us and our growers.”

  

The 2006 E Minor Barossa Valley Chardonnay is sourced from 25 vineyards across the valley, and as the only Chardonnay produced in the portfolio, the winemaking team is able to select the sub-regions that are best suited to this variety. The fruit is picked relatively early to retain freshness and acidity and only free run juice is fermented using an aromatic yeast to accentuate the characters of Barossa Chardonnay.   The individual vineyard lots are then lightly oaked for two months in French oak.    The resultant wine displays lifted citrus aromas, supported by flavors of peach and stone fruits finishing with a touch of creaminess. 

 

The 2005 E Minor Barossa Valley Shiraz is sourced from 27 vineyards across the valley with a large portion coming from the Northern Barossa, where grapes are sourced for the award winning E&E Black Pepper Shiraz.   Each vineyard is fermented separately with 45 percent being aged in a combination of new and one year old French and American oak for six months. The wine exhibits aromas of cherries and plums with a briary, peppery spice palate that pays homage to its older siblings in the E series. Medium-bodied, rich, and soft, this wine will continue to improve for up to five years with careful cellaring.

“The E Minor Barossa range truly exemplifies our winemaking philosophy of using 100 percent Barossa fruit from our third and fourth generation growers, selecting the best vineyard sites that compliment the varietal and assembling a blend that over delivers on quality, value and consistency,” explained Bourne.

 

Barossa Valley Estates E Minor wines are available nationally for a retail price of $12.99.

 

About Barossa Valley Estates

Barossa Valley Estates is imported by Cellar Door. Cellar Door’s portfolio includes Barossa Valley Estate, Leasingham and Chateau Reynella from Australia, Red Guitar from Spain, Diseno from Argentina, and Hayman & Hill from California. Cellar Door is a division of Constellation Wines U.S. (CWUS), the largest wine company in the U.S. based upon sales dollar value. CWUS is an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc., a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol in the wine, spirits and imported beer categories.