New M.Burton wine range driven by innovation

 

Gundog Estate winemaker Matt Burton is a busy man. 

Not only does he produce several wine ranges under the Gundog label using fruit from the Hunter Valley, Canberra region and the Hilltops, he also crafts Yarra Valley wines in partnership with close friend Dylan McMahon under the Burton McMahon label. 

And he also has another small-batch project: M.Burton Wines, which produces just 50 cases each of the 2023 M.Burton Shiraz and 2023 M.Burton Riesling. 

The shiraz is a classic cool-climate shiraz made using grapes grown at the Long Rail Gully vineyard in Murrumbateman blended with a small portion from the Wallaroo vineyard at Hall, just outside Canberra. It spent 10 months on skins gaining texture and complexity

Think natural ferments, aromatic spice notes and a very silky palate. 

"Having worked with shiraz from the region for 17 years, I must say this wine takes it to a whole new level," Burton says. 

The single-site riesling was grown at a family vineyard at Gundaroo and is high in acid and classic varietal flavours. The juice was fermented in older oak barrels - most Australian rieslings are unoaked - and then spent eight months on yeast lees.

"We hope these wines demonstrate a spirit of innovation," Burton says.    

Don't expect any info from the minimalist labels, which contain just the name M.Burton and the words "love, courage and integrity". 

"There are no other wines in our range that so purely express what drives me, and the business, or demonstrate the spirit and collective skillset we are so very fortunate to draw upon in their making," Burton adds.   

 The supple and stylish shiraz costs $80 and the feisty riesling $50. See www.gundogestate.com.au. 

Winemaker does his bit to help homeless youths

Matt Burton from Gundog Estate is one of Australia's most talented young winemakers. 

Not only does he make excellent wines using Hunter Valley and Canberra-region fruit under the Gundog Estate label, he also collaborates with Seville Estate's Dylan McMahon for Yarra Valley wines under the Burton & McMahon brand.

It turns out Burton is also a winemaker of generosity, working with community partner Path 2 Change, an organisation aiming to break the cycle of youth homelessness in the Newcastle region. 

Over 1000 bottles of the 2019 The Lived Experience Shiraz were produced by Burton, who is donating 100% of profits to Path 2 Change. 

"With our usual fundraising and work experience activities disrupted by Covid-19, we needed to get creative," Burton says. 

The wine has a hand-drawn label symbolising the journey of young people from struggles with broken homes and families to support, freedom, and hope for the future.

"We are donating 100% of profits to Path 2 Change who will use these funds to support local disadvantaged and homeless youth," Burton says. 

“The past two years have been tough for us and most others in the region. But through our work with Path 2 Change, we know that disadvantaged and homeless youth are doing it even tougher. 

"Their needs have escalated significantly, and Path 2 Change now has more clients on their books than ever before.” 

Path 2 Change Chief Executive Officer Jennifer O’Sullivan said: "Young people are also experiencing increased mental health challenges and are at a higher risk of suicide due to isolation, in addition to already being disconnected from family and social supports. 

"Our young people are requiring more support than ever during this time.”

Gundog Estate formed a partnership with Path 2 Change back in September 2018, and since then the boutique wine producer has supported the charity's work through fundraising at wine club events and at Gundog’s two cellar doors.

The one-off wine is available for sale at $35 a bottle and in six packs for $210 online or from the Gundog Estate cellar doors. It is a very good wine, savoury and certainly worthy of being cellared for a year or two.

See www.gundogestate.com.au