Bicknell FC 'Applecross' Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2021

Dave Bicknell and Nicky Harris are behind this impressive family winemaking project.
Dave, a Chardonnay master with an impressive resumé in Yarra Valley (23 years!) at Oakridge and de Bortoli and overseas in France's Burgundy, Alsace and Beaujolais regions at Chateau Du Bluizard, Louis Latour & Paul Blanck. Nicky’s involvement in viticulture, post Roseworthy, saw her initially working at Henschke in the Barossa Valley, followed by Seppelt – both Great Western and Drumborg, and Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley.
Val Stewart’s close planted vineyard at the top of Prices Rd (at Gladysdale), was planted in 1988. It is this leased vineyard that Bicknell Fc uses to produce their Applecross wines. Here, there is 1.0 Ha of chardonnay and 1.5 Ha of pinot noir. It was planted with 3,660 plants/Ha, and sits between 332-363m ASL, in red volcanic soil. Bicknell FC was named the Best New Winery in the 2016 Halliday Wine Companion and are only available via a few selected independent wine specialists.