| Region of production: | South Australia |
| Winery Location: | McLaren Vale |
| Year Established: | 1890 |
Vineyard Holdings
22 ha
- Block 6 Vineyard: 4 acres, planted in 1892
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Hillside Shiraz (1996)
- Block 6 Shiraz, made from 100-year-old vines (1984)
Average Total Production
- 144,000 bottles
Summary
The winery was founded by Australian brothers Herbert and Fredericks Kay in the latter part of the 19th century and today remains the oldest family-owned McLaren Vale winery still held by the original family. The winery’s relatively small production takes place in the original gravitational winery built in the 1890’s. Third generation Colin Kay took over the winemaking reins from his father in 1970. The family is considered one of the leading wineries of McLaren Vale, and is best known for their red and fortified wines. The fruit comes exclusively from the family’s 54 acres, which are planted to Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Mataro, and Muscat Blanc.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Fermentations occur in open-top fermenters originally built by the Kay Brothers in the 1890’s and are then basket pressed in their 80-year-old press before oak aging. The Block 6 and Hillside Shiraz spend 18-24 months in barrel (French and Eastern European, a third new).
Producer Website: Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards