Eminence Wines

In 1998 David and Sharon Burder planted 8ha of chardonnay (clones I10V1 and 76), 5ha of pinot noir (clones 114, 115 and MV6), 2ha of pinot gris and 1ha of pinot meunier, backed by 5-year grape supply agreements with Yalumba and Brown Brothers. Daughter Clare began her wine life working in vineyards and cellar doors in the King Valley, thereafter in Melbourne at The Prince Wine Store. In 2008 she started Eminence and Tony Jordan has come on board to help Clare assemble the sparkling wines. At 870m, the vineyard is one of the higher vineyards in Australia, and wind and rain can wreak havoc. She has ’12 and ’13 maturing in bottle, and plans to release an NV Pinot Meunier Brut in the next 18 months. Further out, a cellar door and basic winery feature in a 5-year plan. As well as making the wines, she has been front and centre in distribution (now with Firebrand in Melbourne) and also teaches wine appreciation courses through her business, The Humble Tumbler (www.thehumbletumbler.com.au). Exports to Japan. -JAMES HALLIDAY