Phoenix Estate Wines: At Clare, in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia

Phoenix Estate Winery is located in the Petworth Vineyards alongside the Clare Race Course at Stanley Flat, 6kms north of Clare. Stanley Flat is the northern end of Clare Valley where quality grape have been grown for 140 years.

Dootsa Shultz, Roy Crabb and Michael Smyth are the Phoenix Estate partnership. The Chief, Cook and Bottlewash and in true boutique winemaking fashion it’s shared responsibility and effort in the winemaking process.

Phoenix Estate has access to, and manages some of, 40 acres of vines. There are at present 13 varieties of grapes in the vineyards with more to be planted; varieties include - Riesling, Semillon, Pedro Ximenez, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Merlot and Mourvedre. The vines are planted in small blocks on 3 different aspects giving 3 different meso-climates and 5 soil types with about half dry land grown.

Phoenix Estate, a boutique wine maker, aims for wines that display a large depth of complexity using quality fruit that is suited to Clare. An example is the Shiraz, which is grown in 5 blocks with vines of different clones and ages (up to 50 years) grown in 3 soil types and 2 meso-climates and on 3 different trellis systems. Grenache is grown on traditional bush vines, with vines up to 60 years old. Winemaking styles and techniques from Bordeaux, Rhone, Burgundy and Italy are adapted to complement traditional Clare styles.

Grapes are hand picked, processed by a small crusher/de-stemmer, fermented in small stainless steel tanks with hand plunging of the cap and pressing with basket presses. Temperature is controlled for white wine using a compressor and milk vats, evaporative cooling is used for some red ferments and for barrel storage. Most bottling and all the labelling are done on site.

The aim of Phoenix Estate is for production to be limited to a 100 tonne crush, with all winemaking to be done in the winery. This will allow Phoenix Estate to continually concentrate on quality wine that is the hallmark for this boutique winery.

Winetasting at Phoenix Estate is a rare pleasure. Open weekends and public holidays 10am - 5 pm and weekdays by appointment. The winemakers are available to walk visitors through each vintage and style and explain the what and why from pruning to picking to bottling and everything in between.

The Cellar Door is in the recently renovated south wing of the 120 year old Robinson’s Cottage nestled in the vineyard. It features a large bay window and veranda with spectacular views over Stanley Flat and the Clare Valley Race Course.

Phoenix Estate
3 Phoenix Crt,
Clare, South Australia 5453
Phone: +61 (0)8 8842 3850
Fax: +61 (0)8 8842 1452
Mobile: 0419 032 018
Email: dsalschu@rbe.net.au