TIDDY WIDDY WELL, HILLSVIEW VINEYARDS & BLEWITT SPRINGS

Brett Howard, winemaker at Blewitt Springs, grew up on his parents' vineyard at McLaren Vale and has the wine industry in his blood.

Before starting his own company he gathered experience in both large, established wine companies and smaller, specialist boutique wineries. He uses this experience to good effect at Blewitt Springs where he aims to offer quality and value, producing wines of richness, intensity and longevity.

Fruit is sourced from the Blewitt Springs area of the McLaren Vale, its higher altitude, deep draining sandy soil and cooler micro-climate giving intense flavours and good structure. Langhorne Creek and Adelaide Plains fruit is also used giving wines with a natural softness and generous, full body. Small French oak barrels are used to mature the Blewitt Springs reds while whites may go through malolactic fermentation for added complexity and longevity. Around 11,000 cases are produced per year. Brett's careful and informed winemaking ensures that the natural balance, structure and flavour of the fruit are always kept firmly in focus.

The Hillsview range of wines have been launched to provide great value for money as well as clean, stylish packaging. Ideally suited to both the restaurant and retail trade, Hillsview wines are designed to cater for those looking for balanced, immediate drinking and convey the warmth and sunny personality that makes Australia so appealing to the consumer.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

AWARDS

International Wine Challenge 2005

Bronze Medal
Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2001

Decanter, April 2005, Recommended * * *

Blewitt Springs, Chardonnay Coonwarra 2003

Wine Spectator, March 2005

90 Points

Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2001

Brisbane National Show - July 2004

Silver Medal
Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2001

Bronze Medal
Hillsview Shiraz Cabernet 2002

Winestate Magazine, May / June 2004 edition

2001 Blewitt Springs Shiraz 3.5 * * *

Winestate Magazine, May / June 2004

Hillsview Vineyards Blewitt Springs Botrytis Semillon 2002 * * * *

‘Sweet lychees and dried apricot aromas with great botrytis lift and nice honeyed development. Sweet, simple palate with lovely mouthfeel. High VA but balanced. '

International Wine Challenge 2004

Silver Medal
Blewitt Springs, Shiraz 2001

Bronze Medal
Blewitt Springs, Malbec 2002

Decanter - November 2003, Peter McCombie

Decanter Buying Guide - South Australia Shiraz
Recommended ***
Hillsview Vineyards, Blewitt Springs, Adelaide Hills 2000
'Sweet, floral nose, some lifted fruit. Well-made wine, simple, fruit driven. Good punters' wine. Drink now.'

Brisbane Wine Show 2003

Bronze
2002 Blewitt Springs Malbec

Melbourne Wine Show 2003

Bronze
2001 Blewitt Springs Shiraz

Winestate, Australia September/October 2002

Blewitt Springs, Fleurieu Cabernet Sauvignon, 1999
Awarded 5.5*
'Layers of sweet mixed berry and rhubarb fruit on the nose with good savoury oak tones. Lovely structure; the fine tannins and warm alcohol shape the intense fruit well. Ripe fruit and integrated oak character lingers well on the finish'

Wine Spectator

New Releases/Best Buys - AustraliaBlewitt Springs
Hillsview Cabernet Sauvignon, Fleurieu 1999
'A muscular cab,with a lithe feel. Offers earthy cherry and spice flavours that linger on the velvety frame. Drink now through 2005'

London International Wine Challenge 2002

Blewitt Springs Shiraz Silver Medal

REVIEWS

Wine & Spirit Magazine, April 2006.

Storm Bird Colombard Sauvignon Riesling 2004

‘A botanical garden in a glass. On first sniff you think you’re wandering through a herb bed of thyme and rosemary. Then, reflecting on how absurd this sounds, you decide you’re actually in the lemon tree, nettle and coriander section.  Frankly, any wine that can do all that to your senses in one hit must be worth a try.’