Ancient Chenin Blanc vines are a national treasure. With roots systems that extend up to eight metres below the surface, they are best equipped to survive the hot, dry conditions that characterise the Darling summer

Decades after youthful vigour has faded to gnarled wisdom they now concentrate their energy on producing only a small crop of exquisitely flavoured berries. Add 40 days of extra 'hang time' and those flavours become even more intense

We intensify the flavours even further by leaving the grapes hanging on the vines for a further 40 days. During this time the berries dehydrate – some to the point of becoming raisins – which concentrates the flavour components and sugar. By the time we press the juice it is almost syrup, and its fermentation in new French oak barrels takes several months.

This wine’s intense flavours of pears, pineapples and all things nice, is the product of those extra 40 days in the unforgiving sun.