News

Proud Grandparents Colin and Ruth Kay welcomed their first Grandchild, George Frederick Graham Kay, up to Amery for the first time recently. Proud parents Elspeth and Martin were excited to bring George up to the winery where he drew much attention. George seemed to take it all in his stride, even being doted on by his Grandparents.

Kay Brothers has done it again with the 2008 Basket Pressed Shiraz being voted Best Shiraz under $25 at last weeks McLaren Vale Wine Show. When Colin suggested the 2008 wines were good, we had little reason to doubt him, yet the success of Shiraz from the 2008 vintage from Kay Brothers is noteworthy.

'The season, though early, was close to ideal with average rainfall, generally mild weather, a kind ripening period and mild picking conditions, all this before the heat wave of mid March, ' commented Colin Kay, 'this resulted in well coloured, flavour full fruit with good acidity and balance.'

Having two vineyards that sit side by side, both winning trophies from grapes grown in 2008 is fantastic, a testament to the hard work put into the vineyard and winemaking. Two trophies from consecutive McLaren Vale wine shows, shows a consistency in the winemaking approach, from the entry level 08 Basket Pressed Shiraz right through to the 08 Hillside Shiraz, both representing great value for money at each price point.

Kay Brothers has always respected the traditions of winemaking that have been passed down through the generations. From using the best estate grown fruit, utilising the heritage listed, gravity fed winery, complete with original basket press and open top fermenters, to Colin Kay regailing cellar door customers with over 100 years worth of stories. Kay Brothers embraces the traditions of the past, for a new generation to enjoy. To have our wines judged among McLaren  Vales best in two consecutive wine shows, shows a consistency and quality in the vineyard and winemaking, normally reserved for the wine itself.

I'll drink to that.

Kay Brothers invites you to celebrate the release of the 2009 Block 6 Shiraz with an evening of friends, food and laughter at The Currant Shed. Hosted by Colin Kay, the degustation dinner will feature the 1999 and 2009 Block 6 Shiraz as well as a number of other Kay Brothers wines all carefully matched with food from the Currant Shed. With a focus on seasonal and  local produce, the Currant Shed is the perfect partner to show off Kay Brothers wines at their best. So come and celebrate over a century of winemaking at Kay Brothers and be the first to taste the iconic 2009 Block 6 Shiraz.

Friday 21st of October, 7pm

$110 per person including wine.

For reservations please phone The Currant Shed on 08 83830232

The Currant Shed, Ingoldby Rd, McLaren Flat.

See you there.

In celebration of the 2nd International Grenache Day, Kay Brothers is hosting three Master Classes to showcase the versatility and suitability of Grenache to McLaren Vale. Having long been planted at Kays, Grenache is enjoying its resurgence in popularity.  On Friday the 23rd of September, Kay Brothers will be hosting three Master Classes at 1pm, 3pm and 4pm at the Cellar door. The focus on the Master Classes will be to compare four different vintages of Kays Grenache, discussing wine making techniques, terrior and food matching. Hosted by our Winemakers, the Master Classes will allow you to gain a better understanding of Grenache in a small and relaxed atmosphere. Cured meats, cheese and olives will be served during the tasting. The Master Classes are free, yet bookings are essential on 08 8323 8201.

So get involved with the 2nd International Grenache Day and come down to the Vale for a taste.

During May, June and July, 450 seedlings made up of 13 species of shrubs and trees native to the area, were planted in the southern section of the creek line. 'All species are doing well,' project coordinator Alice Kay said, 'We have lost less than 1% of seedlings so far and the wattles and she-oaks are growing particularly strongly, some are more than knee high already'.

In addition to the tube stock seedlings some natural regeneration of golden wattles is occurring in some of the areas were olive trees have been removed.

Grant Assistance

Dana Miles (District Officer - Lower Onkaparinga Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board) has been providing valued advice and has put together a 3 year work plan and secured a 3 year grant to assist us with the rehabilitation of the creek line vegetation.

The next phase of the revegetation will see the continued removal of olive trees aswell as more plantings of indigenous seedlings. These plantings will focus on reeds and rushes being planted in areas of erosion along the creek line to help stabilise the fragile creek bank.

From us all at Kay Brothers 'Many Thanks Dana for your help'.

The hills are looking green, the vines well watered after plenty of August rain and spring is just around the corner. The Winter 2011 Newsletter sees the first wines released from the much awaited 2010 Vintage. The 2010 Grenache, Mataro and Merlot are looking great and we could not be happier with them. Details of a World Grenache Day tasting and Block 6 dinner celebrating the release of the 2009 Block 6 in October.

Click below to download a copy of the Winter 2011 Newsletter

The James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion has just been released with a glowing review on both the 2008 Block 6 Shiraz and 2008 Cuthbert Cabernet.

Block 6 Shiraz, 2008 - Good hue and clarity: the full monty, the vines planted in 1892, the open fermentation vats made in 1897, and an old basket press used. Better still, there are none of the cooked fruit characters of '08', although the regional imprint is clear enough; really attractive medium bodied Shiraz with great texture and structure. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 96. RRT $75

The Cuthbert Cabernet, 2008 - Despite being picked in the heatwave, has very good colour and shows no sign of dead fruit; open fermented and basket pressed, the wine spent 2 years in new Hungarian and Bulgarian oak barrels. All in all, a remarkable achievement and major surprise. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 94. RRT $45

Making wines that customers are proud to buy and drink is any wineries aim and to be considered amongst the top wineries in Australia with a 5 star rating is icing on the cake.

The Danish Business Newspaper ''Borsen'' recently published an article about Kays Amery and the quality of wines coming out of McLaren Vale. Of note was the way McLaren Vale wines were creating a genuine and more afforable alternative to the more expensive and highly sought after Bordeaux wines of France.

Borsen was impressed with not just the power and complexity of Block 6, but also the elegance, colourfully describing Block 6 as a ''football player dancing ballet.''

Lining the 2006 Kays Merlot up against several Saint-Emilion, Merlot dominant wines, the Kays Merlot was the big surprise. Being described  as a ''successful Pomerol copy'', the Kays Merlot placed third in a blind tasting and forced many on the tasting panel to reassess their views of Australia as more than just a Shiraz producer.

It appears the Danish fondness for all things Australian extends further than just our Princess.

The original version is in Danish with an English Translation

With the last of the grapes being pressed today, the autumn colours are giving way to the cold winter rains. The Autumn Newsletter has Colin Kay's 2011 vintage report, an update from Alice Kay about the revegetation of Amery, a review of the trophy winning 2008 Hillside Shiraz and plenty more.

In the Gourmet Traveller Wine, April/May edition, the Kay Brothers 2006 Hillside Shiraz was judged to be in the Top 100 New Release Wines. This result was particularly pleasing as the Hillside Shiraz was competing in a strong field and rated among the Top 10 wines reviewed.

'This has some attractive developed character, with mellow red-berry and cherry aromas, a smooth, fleshy palate and supple tannins. It has appealing flavour, roundness and balance. Good to drink or cellar. 15.5% alcohol' 93 points.  

  Gourmet Wine Traveller, April/May

Removal of feral olive trees and other introduced weeds has been high on the priority list for Kay Brothers over the last few months. In keeping with our custodial approach to the Amery property native vegetation is being restored along the creek line below the Hillside vineyard.

'Staff have put in a tremendous effort to free the southern end of the creek of introduced species in preparation for planting the first batch of native seedlings this winter' Alice Kay said. With the help of trees for life volunteer Helen Powell, Alice is growing 600 small native trees and shrubs to be planted among the remnant red gums and grey box trees at the site.

'This is the first step in a long term project to restore native woodlands and natural biodiversity to the property in areas not devoted to vineyards' Alice said.

In addition to the creek line, the top paddock and other areas close to the winery and picnic area will be part of the restoration work.

A big thank you must go to Andy, Mike, Waz, Laurie, Ben, Alex and Bob for all the hard work they have put in down by the creek.

The combination of an ideal growing season and a minimal intervention winemaking philosophy has seen the 2008 Hillside rewarded with a trophy from our peers at the 2010 McLaren Vale Wine Show for the best Shiraz $25-50

The 2008 vintage Cuthbert Cabernet is the second release of this commemorative wine. Colin Kay, continuing the family winemaking tradition, has produced this delightful McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon in honour of this father Cuthbert. Cuthbert “Cud” Kay, the eldest son of Herbert Kay, was born at Amery on the 16th June 1914, 24 years after Herbert and his brother Frederick founded the Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards and Winery. Apart from service in the Second Word War, and spending most Sundays on the golf course, Cud’s life was devoted to making rich, full-bodied Amery red wines – the style he always enjoyed.

Family, staff and friends of Kay Brothers recently spent a wonderful night cellebrating 120 years of the Kay family living at Amery. Sharon and David from Fino Restaurant skilfully matched a stunning menu to our wines: 1997 Hillside Shiraz – the first Hillside ever made, the centenary release 1992 Block 6 and a barrel sample of the 2010 Block 6 Shiraz

ANDY COPPARD: NERO D’AVOLA.
We are very excited about the new addition to the Amery vineyard. Block 5 (between the legendary Block 6 and the creek) is almost prepared for the planting of 1400 Nero dÁvola graftlings that are due to be planted in the coming weeks.
Nero dÁvola is an Italian variety native to Sicily. It is well suited to the warm Mediterranean climate we enjoy in McLaren Vale and produces wines that are generous, fruit driven and medium to full bodied in weight.
The decision to plant some at Amery was made after Colin enjoyed a bottle with dinner in New York several years ago. He knew immediately that the variety would perform well on the hill at Amery.
We will keep you updated with their progress and look forward to making the first batch on wine in the next 2-3 years.