From parcels of Chambourcin grapes, hand picked off a block of vine that's surrounded by a growth of peppermint gum trees. Traditionally, Peppermint Paddock has always been difficult to cultivate and vines have struggled. Unfazed by the challenging microclime, Chambourcin has thrived. A unique hybrid grape that's known for its robustness, the Chambourcin vines of Peppermint Paddock are often left unirrigated, quite happy to perform on their own, dry grown rootstock. An astonishing amount of flavour, exquisitely balanced, a truly mesmerising effervescent red wine.

Looking out from d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant, Peppermint Paddock slopes south down the hillside. Chester d'Arenberg thought that Chambourcin, would work well on the lean soils and replanted the site in 1989. Each batch of fruit is gently crushed to retain as many whole berries as possible. The musts are transferred to open fermenters where the skins are permanently submerged. Batches are vinified for up to a fortnight without any plunging or pumpovers. Ferments are treated to a session of foot treading and basket pressed. A portion of vintage fortified Shiraz is included in the final assemblage to add richness, to infuse the palate with plum chocolate complexity and contribute a measure of pepper spice.