Ocean Eight has had a standout vintage for 2021, delighted to deliver excellent quality varieties for its guests and locals along the Mornington Peninsula, with a particular focus on chardonnay and pinot noir.

From flowering in November to picking in March, the season has been mild with patchy rainfall, which has worked well in the winery’s favour. The slow ripening has ensured maximum flavour development, while maintaining excellent freshness and acidity in the wines.

The crop levels were slightly below average, which is ideal for consumers when it comes to concentration and quality. Head winemaker Michael Aylward and his team felt no pressure to rush the picking, managing to get the grapes in at the ideal ripeness. Even through fermentation, the mild weather kept the process long and slow, which will help with aromas in the finished product.

Ocean Eight’s vines are now an impressive twenty-five years of age, approaching their peak window for the best quality fruit. The 2021 wines will show great Mornington character and will age as well as any wines produced by the winery in the past. Aylward is particularly excited to see how the perfumes from this vintage develop and anticipate that they will be fantastic.

This year is definitely one to look out for, so ensure you leave a weekend free to head down to the stunning Mornington Peninsula and try some of the best the region has to offer. The cellar door is open from 11:00am to 5:00pm Thursday to Saturday, and to 3:00pm on Sundays. For something a little more exclusive, private barrel tastings are also available by appointment.

www.oceaneight.com.au