For over 20 years Angullong has championed both emerging varieties alongside more traditional wines. The latest release from this Orange Region winegrower comprises their 2022 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Harriet ($50) and 2023 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay ($50).
Since 1950 the Crossing family have farmed the Angullong property which sits on the foothills of Oranges Mount Canobolas. In 1998 the family diversified into winegrowing. The initial plantings comprised a wide-ranging selection of varieties. After considerable time and with the maturing of vines, the Crossing Reserve Harriet was released. Named in honour of the Crossing family matriarch, Hatty Crossing, it is a unique blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano; varieties that have proven themselves on the high, cool climes of Orange.
“We spent many years developing this blend,” says Angullong’s Ben Crossing. “The varieties work well on our vineyard, which sits at an elevation of over 600 metres. It’s slightly warmer than higher up the mountain, but still very much cool climate, and is perfect for these later ripening varieties.
“Over the years we have played around with the various components. The 2022 vintage comprises 40 per cent Sangiovese, 40 per cent Montepulciano and 20 per cent Sagrantino. The parcels were matured in oak puncheons for 12 months, followed by time in bottle prior to release.”
The partner to this new release is the 2023 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay. “This is our first reserve Chardonnay,” continues Ben. “We have been working on this wine for many years. We have built it up via our ‘Fossil Hill’ range, where we have earmarked certain blocks in the vineyard, and then refined it through barrel selection in the winery. The wine includes a component of the Bernard clones of chardonnay that we have planted over the past few years.
“The region’s Chardonnay is going from strength to strength and the combined, shared knowledge and expertise is a real boon. All the region’s winemakers are keen to see the region’s quality build and, with a healthy dose of competition, there is a real drive to see Orange as one of Australia’s iconic Chardonnay growing regions.”
The new Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay was hand harvested and fermented in seasoned French oak, with a further ten month’s maturation prior to six months bottle age prior to release.
- 2022 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Harriet (Orange Region, NSW) $50
- 2023 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay (Orange Region, NSW) $50
Distribution: The Angullong range of wines are distributed in NSW and QLD by Fisher Fine Wines. The wines are also available directly from the Cellar Door and via angullong.com.au.
For further information, interviews and images please contact:
- David Cumming at Define Wine Marketing & Communications: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
- Ben Crossing, General Manager at Angullong Wines: 0428 586 802 or ben@angullong.com.au
Angullong’s Crossing family, Heidi & Ben, matriarch Hatty Crossing, James & Edwina.
Angullong Wines is located on the picturesque foothills of Orange’s Mount Canobolas in Wiradjuri country. The property has been in the Crossing family since 1950 and has been run as a successful sheep and cattle station prior to diversifying into grape growing and winemaking in 1998. In 2009 Angullong opened their cellar door in the historic bluestone stables in the village of Millthorpe. The wines are made in Orange by Jeff Byrne.