Place of Changing Winds Heathcote Syrah 2020
Place of Changing Winds Heathcote Syrah 2020 – alternate view 2
1 - 2

Place of Changing Winds Heathcote Syrah 2020

Place of Changing Winds
$42.00

Grape: Syrah
Vintage: 2020
Type: Red

Produced from organically managed vines in Heathcote, this red wine showcases a cool-climate style of syrah shaped by a low-temperature growing season. The estate manages the vineyard rows manually to cultivate fruit with natural structural balance and low sugar density. Spontaneous fermentation relies entirely on native vineyard wild yeasts in neutral concrete containers, avoiding modern extraction techniques. Aged in large neutral wooden casks, this bottling delivers a pure, unadorned expression of site identity.

It exhibits a translucent ruby hue, releasing a heady nose of wild red fruits, fresh roses, and exotic spices. On the palate, the medium-bodied frame is decidedly juicy and direct, focusing on a precise and light fruit presentation. Silky tannins integrate smoothly with a clean wave of white pepper and a pomegranate tang to the acidity. The texture remains light on its feet across the mid-palate volume. It concludes bone-dry, leaving a lingering trail of spice.

Place of Changing Winds is a pioneering wine estate located in Bullengarook within Australia’s Macedon Ranges, established in 2012 by Robert Walters and his partner Kate Millard. The project is defined by its extreme viticultural practices, most notably its ultra-high-density plantings that range from 12,000 to a staggering 33,000 vines per hectare, designed to force the vines to compete and drive their roots deep into the rocky, 400-million-year-old soil. Situated at an elevation of 500 meters, the site experiences a dramatic diurnal range and is surrounded by native forest, which contributes to a cool-climate profile characterized by intense aromatics and structural finesse. Walters, drawing on decades of experience as a high-end wine importer, manages the 3.1-hectare vineyard organically with a focus on manual labor and soil health, producing estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alongside a grower series of Syrah and Marsanne from nearby regions like Heathcote and Harcourt. The winemaking process is equally meticulous, utilizing native yeasts, manual destemming, and aging in Austrian oak to create wines that prioritize purity and a precise expression of their unique terroir.