Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache 2017

The Cirillo family moved to the small district of Light Pass in 1970. Vincent Cirillo became the custodian some exceptional vineyards that were planted in 1848; today it is noted to be the oldest surviving and producing Grenache and Semillon parcels in the world. Their prized fruit went to well‐known producers; Rockford, Peter Lehmann, St. Hallet and Torbreck.

Marco Cirillo, the youngest of four children had always helped the family cultivate and preserve their precious Grenache, Semillon and Shiraz vineyards. It was during the late 1990’s when Marco was studying winemaking through Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, and actively working as a cellar hand where he honed his skills as an exceptional winemaker that he is today.

The family farm and ancestor vineyards grow in around 8ft of pure golden sand, which is a common terroir of the Vine‐Vale area. Marco and Vincent remain the only two people who have ever pruned the 1848 Grenache vineyard in the past 40 years. The early ‘basket‐pruning’ style that was adopted by Vince in the 70’s has helped the vines support themselves and continue to produce incomparable fruit each year. Their meticulous craftsmanship is why this vineyard is a picture of health today.