McWilliams were amongst the earliest pioneers to identify the sunny soils along River Murray as being
Terra superiore for the husbanding of vine. Hanwood in particular, was an area John McWilliam earmarked for having the potential to service the growth in domestic and export wine consumption. Hanwood Estate takes great care in the nurture of it's italianate varietal vines, painstakingly hand picking the grapes, taking great measure to include only the perfect parcels of fruit for vinification into a vigorous, beautifully fruit driven Pinot Grigio wine.
In 1913, John James McWilliam planted the first vines at Hanwood, just south of the thriving agricultural town of Griffith. In 1917 he established McWilliam's Hanwood winery. Individual parcels of Pinot Grigio are hand picked based on stylistic parameters, ripeness and style. Delivered to the Hanwood wineworks, fruit is promptly crushed into drainers with skins removed to minimise transfer of colour. Juices are inoculated to yeasts chosen for their aromatic potential, treated to a cool temperature controlled vinification and kept on lees with a small battonage program to add richness. Hanwood is fermented to dry and racked, assembled and cold stabilized before filtration. Alcohol 11.5%
Medium straw colour. Intense pear and vanilla yoghurt aromas are supported by fresh granny smith apple and musk stick notes. Subtle citrus and peach characters follow. An intensely flavoured palate of pear and green apple, combined with peach and citrus notes. Some excellent texture and acidity give this wine a unique balanced structure, the palate showing excellent fruit weight and extreme length.
