The Summerfield family’s wines are called Syan in the U.S. (Summerfield Y Another Name). Summerfield is a story in the making, with a history built on local character and a dose of hardship. Summerfield is a family business consisting of Ian Summerfield and his son, a fourth generation Moonambel local, Mark. Ian tends to the vines daily, and his expertise is farming and viticulture. Mark is winemaker and continues to work with Ian in developing Summerfield’s award winning labels. Every bottle of Summerfield is handcrafted and bears the family seal of approval, representing a time honored commitment to perfecting traditional methods of grape growing and winemaking. Drew Noon continues to act as consultant winemaker.

The 2004 vintage was a relief after the hardship of the 2002 and 2003 vintages. A more moderate season which allowed Summerfield to concentrate on best time for harvest which had been challenging to say the least in recent years. Daily vineyard inspections and hand harvesting allowed Summerfield to produce exceptional wines based on palate flavor from the vineyard. Small batches were harvested in April according to fruit flavor. Small bunch and berry sizes defined the season, drought and high temperatures throughout made for a challenging season with exceptional fruit. Harvested during the month of April from 12 and 35 year old vines.

Fermented and hand plunged in open vat fermenter with 5-6 days skin contact and final fermentation in barrel. After basket pressing wines were allowed to settle in stainless steel vats for 12 hours before finishing fermentation in American oak hogs heads. A further 18 months maturation in wood prepares the wine for bottling. The oak Blend used for the 2004 Tradition was 25% new and the balance was matured in one and two and three year old. The wine is bottled without being filtered relying on the racking process. Subtle integration of oak (new to two year old) is critical to the presentation of the wine. The blend is 30% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz and 18% Cabernet Franc.

The color is a deep vibrant purple red. The bouquet exhibits red fruits, cherries, raspberries and exotic spices. The palate is multilayered with ripe cherry and dark berry fruit from beginning to end reinforcing elements of the bouquet with soft tannins and a lovely lingering finish. This wine can be cellared for up to 10 years or enjoy now.

Alcohol: 13.9%

pH: 3.64

TA: 5.8

R/Sugar: 0.1g/l

Cases Produced: 1,100

93 The spectacular 2004 Tradition is an intriguing blend of equal parts Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. With an alcohol level lower than that of many Aussie reds (under 14%), this concentrated, seamlessly built effort offers an inky/ruby/purple hue, a sumptuous nose of black raspberries, kirsch, melted road tar, camphor, and acacia flowers, and a dense, full-bodied, pure personality. Having spent 18 months in American oak hogsheads, it brilliantly combines power with elegance. Consume it over the next decade or more. Robert M Parker Jr - Wine Advocate Issue