Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed to small static fermenters, inoculated with neutral yeast and vinified for a fortnight. The sensory characteristics are checked twice daily, pumpover regimes are attenuated to maximise the extraction of flavour, colour and tannin. Ferments are pressed off skins and free run, followed by a return to add palate weight and structure. Malolactic is carried out in new and prior use French and American oak hogsheads, followed by an extended maturation. The barrels are sampled and trialled, ensuring that only those parcels displaying intensity of fruit, balanced tannins and soft oak, are worthy of being included into the finished Jacobs Creek Reserve.