Every vintage at Hasher Family Wines begins with a story deeply rooted in careful planning. A year before planting a new vineyard, we embark on a meticulous selection process for our rootstock and clones. This initial design phase is not just a preliminary step; it lays the groundwork for our vineyard’s success and becomes the foundation of flavour for our wines.
Our Unique Terroir
Our vineyard rests on decomposed granite soil overlaying a clay mother rock. While these soils may be considered poor by conventional standards, they are perfect for growing high-quality wine grapes with the right clones.
Climate also plays a crucial role, particularly for Chardonnay, which adapts beautifully to both warm and cool climates. By carefully selecting clones that match our environment, we capture elegance and aromatic finesse in our wines.
Rootstock
Our vines are firmly anchored on American rootstock, celebrated for their resilience against phylloxera – a tiny pest capable of causing immense damage. But our choice goes beyond survival; it is about enduring strength. Our clay-rich soils demand a rootstock that can dig deep and settle in comfortably, ready to withstand any challenge.
Clonal Selection
Selecting the right clones is both an art and a science, guided by our unique terroir. We seek out the best-performing clones suited to our specific soils and climate to craft outstanding wines.
Pinot Noir Clones:
PN 115: This beloved clone produces wines with silky tannins and seductive aromas of roses and violets.
PN 113: Thriving in our clay soils, PN 113 provides structure and texture, serving as both the backbone and melody of our wines.
PN 667: A bit temperamental, this clone is sensitive to weather changes, but in a good year, it rewards us with wines of remarkable depth and concentration.
PN 777: Bursting with red fruit and strawberry notes, this clone adds a playful, fruity element to our wines, which we handle gently to preserve its complexity.
Chardonnay Clones:
CY 95: This clone offers an aromatic profile of citrus, minerality, and white pear, yielding beautifully balanced wines.
CY 96: Harmonising citrus and stone fruit flavours, this clone is slightly less robust but equally delightful.
CY 548: Adding elegance to our Chardonnay lineup, this clone brings excellent minerality along with white pear and citrus flavours.
We believe that exceptional wine starts with exceptional fruit, achieved through the perfect pairing of rootstock and clones tailored to our unique terroir. Our goal is for every bottle we create to reflect our deep love for the land and our passion for winemaking, bringing warmth and sophistication to your table.