Mooney will leave Fox Gordon Wines at the end of November and release her first two products from the Adelaide Hills - a 2016 Pinot Gris and 2014 Tempranillo.
Mooney has received a number of awards in her years as a winemaker, including at the 2016 International Wine Challenge and 2015 Decanter Wine Awards. Her Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz was also heralded by Wine Spectator magazine.
“The last 14 years with Fox Gordon have been a great experience,” Mooney said. “It’s time now to focus on my La Bise wines. It’s exciting to be the sole owner of a business; the ideas, strategy and winemaking all start and end with me.”
According to Mooney, the pinot gris aims for “character, mouth-feel and drinkability without high alcohol,” while “fruit is the dominant character” in the tempranillo.
“I have been making my La Bise wines for a number of vintages and it’s time to commit to the business. I’ve searched the Adelaide Hills for quality vineyards, often coming across vineyards that need a bit of love and rejuvenation. I like to think we give them the ‘kiss of life',” Mooney said.
The 2016 La Bise Pinot Gris has been made from grapes grown on Caj Amadio’s Kersbrook vineyard situated at an elevation of 450 metres.
“I’m pursuing fruit and the vineyard’s expression in these wines…Utilising time on lees in the winemaking has built the texture and depth in this wine,” she added.
The 2014 La Bise Tempranillo is also from the Kersbrook subregion of Adelaide Hills.
“The fruit is from two clones across four blocks on the vineyard, giving me a variation in ripening and subsequent fruit flavours. The fermentation was long and cool, supporting the framework and flavours set up in the vineyard.”
RRP: $22
Distributor: La Bise Wines
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