The wait will soon be over for the highly anticipated release of new vintage wines from premium small-batch Margaret River producer, Mr Barval Fine Wines.
The family-run winery will celebrate the occasion with a grand re-opening event on Friday November 26, with the cellar door set to open its doors for the summer season the following day.
After selling out of the previous vintage's wines, winemaker Rob Gherardi is readying the 2021 chardonnay, Mistral (viognier marsanne blend) and rosé for bottling, along with the 2020 Vino Rosso which is a blend of petit verdot, merlot and malbec.
Despite the 2021 Margaret River harvest throwing "a few curveballs", including 2020 being one of the wettest Novembers on record, Gherardi is confident with the resulting quality of fruit.
"Our model of leasing rows in high quality, well-established vineyards with outstanding viticulturalists really delivered this year. The vines yielded exceptional fruit, despite the challenges that the weather presented," he said.
According to Gherardi, the new release wines - especially the chardonnay - encapsulate Mr Barval's minimal intervention approach, which involves a lack of fining and filtering with a reliance on high-quality fruit.
"The chardonnay is the star of this year's vintage - it's showing fantastic poise and tension, which is an exciting thing to see in a young wine."
Over the coming summer, Gherardi will be releasing a new cabernet malbec blend, which is a step in a slightly different direction inspired by access to a premium block of malbec in Wilyabrup.
"When we were looking at the blending trial, the cabernet malbec just shone... it's got wonderfully high levels of complexity and richness, with underlying elegance and precision," he said.
Despite a busy year with intrastate visitation, the Mr Barval team has a strong interstate following so is eagerly awaiting the easing of travel restrictions.
"Although we've been blown away by the support from what has been probably 99.5 percent Western Australians this year, we're looking forward to welcoming east coast visitors back to our stunning cellar door grounds," said Gherardi.
The November reopening also marks the launch of a new art exhibition at the cellar door, featuring Aboriginal artists from the Northern Territory community of Wadeye with which Rob's wife Kellie has a personal affiliation, having spent time in the community as a remote area nurse.
"This year we'll be displaying some extraordinary works by artists who are part of the Thamarrurr / Wadeye Men's Shed and the Palngun Wurnangat Aboriginal Corporation (PWAC) Women's Centre," said Kellie.
"We're really excited to be able to represent these talented artists from one of the most remote indigenous communities in Australia."
According to Thamarrurr / Wadeye Men's Shed Coordinator Joe Tusler, the 10 local artists participating in the exhibition are thrilled to be involved.
"This is the first time the Thamarrurr / Wadeye Men's Shed has been a part of an exhibition in the South West of Western Australia, so they're delighted," he said.
So delighted, in fact, that two of the artists will be making the journey to Margaret River to attend on opening night.
"Guests can talk to them about their works, which are mixture of acrylic on canvas and wooden artefacts, including distinctive spears which are unique to the Wadeye area in the Northern Territory," said Tusler.
Artworks will be available to purchase on the night with majority of proceeds going back to Wadeye community.
Mr Barval Fine Wines' grand reopening on November 26 provides guests with an exclusive first taste of the new vintage wines, paired with delicious bites by Dunsborough's renowned Goanna Café.
Tickets are $70 and include a glass of new release wine, substantial canapés and entertainment from local folk duo Moon & Honey.
Transport is available through the Margaret River Experience.
For more information and to book tickets, visit mrbarval.com
