What makes a great vintage for Hunter Valley Semillon? Most would say one without flooding rain, ravaging fires or devastating drought. While this is certainly important, balance in the wine reigns supreme. Mid January always brings with it a slight nervousness, having been battered vintage after vintage with drought and pouring rain, is it any wonder that black cats are avoided and ladders given a wide berth? The magic of Hunter Semillon on display, texture and weight from a wine that sees no oak, only ever released in the finest years, ILR Reserve is a beauty.

Brokenwood's first vintage was a labour of love for the partners, friends and families conscripted to help. Grapes were carried to the winery in the back seat of Len Evans Bentley. Since then, the estate has learned to live with drought and adversity, and to nourish it's precious vines on a wing and a prayer. In 1982, Brokenwood extended its operations to include the jewel of the Hunter Valley and planted it's vineyards to Semillon. Harvesting is all done by hand, grapes are crushed, chilled and immediately pressed. Neutral yeasts are applied and the juices are inoculated for vinification in fermenters, unwooded and unoaked without any malolactic.