The Torzi Matthews team work to a formula that low yields translate into big, flavoursome wines. They selected a property in one of the most inhospitable parts of Eden Valley, where unending toil and frigid climes realize meagre amounts of parched berries each vintage. From grapes grown to the chilly surrounds of Mount McKenzie, incorporating the undried parcels of fruit earmarked for the estate flagship Frost Dodger, Mathews and Torzi craft an intense yet acessible construct of Eden Valley Shiraz to match bold Mediterrannean cuisine.

The Mt McKenzie site is subject to traditional biological farming, a diet of composts with native grasses and flora as ground cover, low water input and natural sprays to keep disease under control. Vines eighteen years of age are grown to clay loam over a shaley schist rock bed, trained to single wire trellis. A very minimalistic handling includes a component of whole bunch, open top vinification and wild yeast ferments, soft pumpovers, hand plunging and an old fashioned basket press. Components complete their ferments and eighteen months maturation in prior use Frost Dodger barrels and seasoned French Cadus et Radoux oak barriques, before bottling, unfiltered and unfined.