About
“I grew up with biodynamics on my parents’ Jurlique herb farms. To grow our grapes any other way was unthinkable.” – Erinn
Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic for more than 20 years. It is the biodynamic process that creates a balanced and healthy relationship between soil, plant and all living beings – and opens the vines to optimum expression of flavour in the glass.
Our five hectare Mount Barker vineyards, The Summit and The Rufus are the centrepiece of our 75 hectare farm, where we take a ‘whole farm’ approach to winegrowing.
The Iluma Vineyard, also planted on the original biodynamic soil of the Jurlique property, is just two kilometres away in Nairne.
Ownership of the vineyards from which our fruit is harvested ensures full control over the whole winegrowing process and the resulting fruit quality, each season.
2022 Vintage
Vintage 2022 was set up by a milder spring and summer with no severe heat spikes or extended hotter periods. Spring and early summer were wetter than usual resulting it good soil moisture and thus requiring only minimal irrigation just before picking. Flowering and set were good, if we don’t compare them to the dream conditions we had for the 2021 vintage! We had a few disease challenges with warm, wet weather, particularly one event where the vines had wet leaves for three days around the 10th of January. Our vine health was good and therefore resilient to these challenging few days. Finally, a long and slow ripening with cool conditions over harvest produced great delicate wines across all varieties.
2022 Pétillant Naturel
This lightly bubbly Rosé has a delicious nose of exotic flowers and musk, pithy grapefruit and blood orange. On the palate there is hints of citrus blossom, and distinct iced tea flavours that are light, refreshingly fruity, with a dry, textured finish.
Vineyard
Site(s): Grapes from all 3 Ngeringa vineyard sites: Rufus, Summit and Iluma.
3 vineyard sites total 5 hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
A blend of whole bunch pressed Syrah and Pinot Noir Rosé, Viognier and Pink Semillon. The Syrah and Pinot were picked relatively early for freshness and acidity, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in barrels and concrete egg - shaped vessels. The Viognier and Pink Semillon were picked at good maturity level to express the more exotic aromatics. Both were fermented with about 7 to 10 days skin contact before also being pressed into barrels. Once nearly dry, the Syrah, Pinot, Viognier and Pink Semillon were blended and sweetened with some frozen juice to 14g/L before being bottled. Fermentation finished in the bottle resulting in a light bubbly sparkling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Crown Cap
ABV: 11.0%
Grape(s): Pink Semillon, Viognier, Pinot Noir and Syrah
2022 Chardonnay
A chardonnay with power and pure fresh stone fruit like yellow fleshy peach and citrus zest, yet also complex with nutty malo-derived savory notes. Fine French oak aromas balanced by ample fruit intensity, present with approachable acidity. Very drinkable now.
Vineyard
From our east-facing Summit Vineyard, collecting more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense afternoon heat. The altitude ranges between 330m and 368m above sea level. The soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. The grapes for this wine come predominantly from the upper and lower sections of the Summit Vineyard while the middle section goes to our single vineyard Chardonnay.
The entire farm is certified Biodynamic, farmed with the rhythms of nature and working towards a self-sustaining farming system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Chardonnay grapes are gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into new and old French oak barriques (228L) and puncheons (500L). Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from our vineyards and winery. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine matures on full lees for 10 months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 12.5%
2022 Rosé
A delicious, dry and savoury Rosé from whole bunch pressed Syrah. It has both fruit intensity and complexity. Bright fruit aromas of wild strawberry, hints of raspberry and lifted citrus blossoms. Grounded by nutty, savoury and slightly saline flavours. The palate is silky textured and almost slippery, yet has a fresh acid presence and a mineral complexity.
Vineyard
Ngeringa’s three vineyard sites total five hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse, 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
From whole bunch pressed Syrah grapes. Fermented in older French oak barrels and matured for 11 months on lees for complexity and texture. Hand bottled on site. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending, just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
ABV: 13.0%
2022 Pinot Noir
A ruby red Pinot Noir that is medium bodied with vibrant, lifted red fruit aromas, along with fine herbal spice and earthy aromas derived largely from carbonic maceration. Fruit flavors include red plums and sour cherries. Texture is crunchy and fresh.
Vineyard
Grown in our east-facing Summit Vineyard, which collects more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense, direct afternoon heat. Altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level. The soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone.
Fruit for this wine comes predominantly from the upper and lower sections of the Summit Vineyard, while the middle section goes to our Single Vineyard Pinot. The entire farm is certified biodynamic and is farmed with the rhythms of nature, tending towards a self-sustaining system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Pinot Noir is gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates and carefully tipped into one stainless steel fermenter, keeping the berries intact for a true carbonic maceration. The grapes are allowed to steep for seven days before a gentle press in to well-seasoned French barriques where the wines mature for 11 months. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending, prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 12.5%
2022 Syrah
A vibrant Syrah featuring abundant, lifted perfume, fruit and spice. Light to medium bodied, fruit plum and sour cherries, yet savory and spicy with approachable tannins.
Vineyard
On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit, at an altitude of 420m, is the Iluma Vineyard, home of Ngeringa’s “most inspiring and exciting fruit”. The majority of Syrah and Viognier is planted here, facing west on a lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay on the Nairne terroir (2km from the other Ngeringa sites). This vineyard also is long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied in the vineyards.
Winemaking
65% whole-bunch fermented; aged in predominantly older French barriques and puncheons for 10 months; small amounts of sulphur added at blending, just before bottling early in 2022. No enzymes, no fining, minimal filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 13%
Small Batch Wines
2022 Pink Sémillon
A textural Rosé made from Pink Sémillon grapes. Flavours of blood orange and pithy grapefruit … if you like a negroni, you should love this.
Vineyard
Ngeringa’s three vineyard sites total 5 hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse, 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
Fermented on skins for two weeks to bring out extra flavour, colour and structure. Matured in barrel for a few months only, before bottling in July 2021. No enzymes, no fining.
Closure: Crown Cap
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaker: Erinn Klein
Grape(s): Pink Semillon
GI: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)
2022 Sangiovese
Full of dark cherries, plush plums and black currant, intertwined with forest leaves and earthy notes. A medium-bodied Sangiovese with well formed, well integrated tannins, great fruit concentration and good length.
Vineyard
The grapes are grown on a steep westerly facing slope of the Rufus Vineyard at about 360m above sea level, on rocky red ironstone and schist over clay. Quite a challenging vineyard site - facing west, it receives the belting summer sun and often is exposed to characteristic winds of the Adelaide Hills. From the top of this vineyard in the distance, however, one can see Lake Alexandrina and the mouth of the Murray River, consequently receiving cooling evening breezes, which do much to preserve fruit acids and flavours through the critical weeks of ripening. Only 750 vines planted, Brunello and Chianti clones. For the first time we have included a smaller amount of Sangiovese Clones Mat 6 and 7 from our lluma vineyard that was planted in 2008.
Winemaking
A small batch of Sangiovese made from all our clones. Fully destemmed, gentle extraction by hand, wild yeast fermentation, extended maceration for 6 weeks, and 11 months maturation in one new barrique (228L) and older French oak barriques.
Closure: Stelvin Screw Cap
ABV: 13.5%
2022 Nebbiolo
Wild strawberries, dried orange and dark chocolate jump out of the glass, followed by more earthy notes of dried mushroom, iodine, autumn leaves and leather. On the palate plenty of bright red fruit, approachable ‘Nebbiolo’ tannins and a long and savoury finish.
Vineyard
The Nebbiolo grapes are grown on a steep westerly facing slope of the Rufus Vineyard at about 360m above sea level, on rocky red ironstone and schist over clay. Quite a challenging vineyard site – facing west, it receives the belting summer sun and often is exposed to characteristic winds of the Adelaide Hills. From the top of this vineyard in the distance, however, one can see Lake Alexandrina and the mouth of the Murray River, consequently receiving cooling evening breezes, which do much to preserve fruit acids and flavours through the critical weeks of ripening. Only 400 vines planted.
Winemaking
A small batch of Nebbiolo made from a Rosé clone. Fully destemmed, gentle extraction by hand, wild yeast fermentation, extended maceration for four weeks, and 11 months maturation in older French oak.
No fining. Estate bottled with small amounts of sulphites added before bottling.
Closure: Stelvin Screw Cap
ABV: 13.5%
Summit Wines
2021 Summit Chardonnay
Aromas of white flesh peach fruit, flint stone, almond husk, oar meal and integrated oak. A Chardonnay with saline minerality, acidity – complex and showing potential to shine with more age in bottle.
Vineyard
The grapes for this wine are from our east-facing Summit Vineyard which collects more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense, direct afternoon heat. Vineyard altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level, and the soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. Fruit for our Single Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a small section in the middle of this vineyard where the balance of topsoil over subsoil is optimal for vine balance, flavour concentration and structure. The entire farm is certified biodynamic and is farmed with the rhythms of nature, tending towards a self-sustaining system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Chardonnay grapes are hand harvested into small 15kg crates then whole bunch pressed with minimal settling overnight into new (30%) and old French oak barriques (228L) and larger format Barrels (500 and 600L). Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from our vineyards and winery, with full malolactic fermentation occurring naturally. Wines mature on full lees for 11 months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending, just prior to bottling. No added yeast, no enzymes, no fining.
ABV: 13.2%
Closure: High quality composite cork that is cork-taint free guaranteed.
Winefront Review by Mike Bennie
Posted on 10 June 2023
"Biodynamics stalwarts and producing excellent wines, of course.
Textural feast! Slippery, greasy almost, in the best sense, lots of riper stone fruit flavours but a saline minerality takes that to task. Green apple, almond nuttiness, wet fern and leafy herbal notes in the mix. It’s a potent chardonnay but cut with appropriate acidity and sense of freshness. It feels a touch wild, in the best sense, and I am all for that. It is character plus, in its essence. Dig in."
93 Points
2021 Summit Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir has plenty of bright red forest berry fruit, blood-plum, forest undergrowth notes and fine herb aromas like shiso and oregano. On the palate, the wine is complex, approachable with subtle tannins, spice and well-integrated oak.
Vineyard
The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine are from our east-facing Summit Vineyard which collects more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense, direct afternoon heat. Vineyard altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level. Soils consist of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. Grapes for our Single Vineyard Pinot Noir come from a small section in the middle of the vineyard where the balance of topsoil over the subsoil is optimal for vine balance, fruit flavour concentration and structure. The entire farm is certified Biodynamic and is farmed with the rhythms of nature, tending towards a self-sustaining system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Pinot Noir is gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates and mostly destemmed into small batch fermenters, 10% whole bunch placed in the bottom of each fermenter. The grapes are plunged by hand or feet, up to twice a day for a gentle and long extraction over two to three weeks. The pinot was pressed into new (30%) French oak barriques (228L) and left in barrel to mature for 11 months. A small dose of sulfur was added at blending prior to bottling. No Added yeast, no enzymes, no fining.
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: High quality composite cork that is cork-taint free guaranteed.
Winefront Review by Kasia Sobiesiak
Posted on 17 June 2023
"It’s a biodynamic wine. It’s sealed with Diam 30. Fancy? Ambitious? Fine by me.
The colour verges on garnet, ruby with orange reflections maybe. Beautifully expressive aromas, sour cherries, cranberries, herbs, cumin, dried flowers. Palate is a bit of a surprise, much more sour-driven, savoury, tangy, and with a nervy finish. There’s hibiscus tea, red apple skins, sour compote element, and dried meat-umami with a pomegranate spike of acid at the end. This is a characterful expression and it’s not afraid to be one. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, a bit mixed feelings, but one thing is sure—I keep coming back to check. Adventure awaits."
92 Points
Iluma Wines
2022 Iluma Viognier
A wine with classic primary Viognier characters of white flesh stone fruit, ginger spice, white pepper and delicate lavender floral notes. Round, viscous and sensual on the pallet but pulled in tight with a presence of acidity and textural tannin. Upon first opening there is quite a bit of spritz from the dissolved CO2. We recommend opening a few hours before drinking and possibly even a decanting.
Vineyard
On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit at an altitude of 420m, is the lluma Vineyard, home of our most inspiring and exciting grapes we grow. The majority of Ngeringa Syrah and Viognier is planted in the lluma vineyard, facing west on lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay. The lluma vineyard is also long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied.
Winemaking
This wine was made in two components; half was fermented on skins for 5 days and the other half was whole bunch pressed without skin contact. Both 100% malolactic fermentation matured in partial new barriques and older oak. We bottled this Viognier quite early to retain the fresh vibrancy of the fruit with a good amount of dissolved CO2. A small dose of sulfur was added at blending, prior to bottling. No Added yeast, no enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Winefront Review by Mike Bennie
Posted on 10 June 2023
"Biodynamic farmed and raised.
Strong scents of apricot, fresh and dried, some dried pawpaw too, honeysuckle, honeydew melon. Classic start, but something faintly savoury in those whiffs. A little pleasing spritz in the palate livening things up! Huzzah! Disappears with a bit of time open, but initial sips are pleasingly ticklish. Round and rich in the palate, more sweet spice and woody things going on over the ripe apricot and pawpaw flavours, and while that sounds overt and rich, it kind of isn’t, with savouriness and nuttiness a strong lean in. Exotic, and good."
93 Points
2021 Iluma Syrah
Abundant aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, plums, violets and allspice with musky rose hints of black pepper, dark chocolate and fine oak toast. Medium-bodied but full flavoured. Present, yet approachable silky tannins, fabulous length and potential to age well into the next decade.
Vineyard
On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit, at an altitude of 420m, is the Iluma Vineyard, home of Ngeringa’s “most inspiring and exciting fruit”. The majority of Ngeringa Syrah and Viognier is planted in the Iluma vineyard, facing west on lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay. The Iluma vineyard is also long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied.
Winemaking
The Syrah is gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates and mostly destemmed into small batch fermenters, with a small quantity of whole bunches placed in the bottom of each fermenter. The grapes were gently plunged by hand or feet, up to twice a day, for a long extraction over three to four weeks. This Syrah was pressed into new (40%) French oak barriques (228L) and Puncheons (500L) and left in barrel to mature for 18 months. A small dose of sulfur was added at blending, prior to bottling. No Added yeast, no enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
ABV: 13.6%
(Image: Ngeringa - Janet and Erinn Klein / Photo: Keryn Stevens)