Wren Estate is a boutique winery in the heart of the premium wine region of Heathcote, in Central Victoria, famed for high quality Shiraz production.
The 500-550 million year old Cambrian soils that run through central Heathcote and the cool nights provide the perfect conditions for grape production. After completing his degree in Oenology at the University of Adelaide Michael Wren spent the next 10 years doing vintages at Napa Valley, Yarra Valley, Nagambie, Mudgee and as a flying winemaker for Esporao, one of Portugal’s best producers. Having soaked up knowledge and experience from around the World, the soil quality, intricate and unique balance of climate and temperature conditions and the incredible fruit that results from these conditions made Heathcote the region of choice for Michael’s own project. He was lucky enough to find the vineyard he was looking for in 2017 and the winery was quickly put together just in time for the 2018 vintage.
Michael uses his experience to utilise the best of Old and New World techniques in producing truly outstanding wines. The use of ‘lagares’ (low, open fermenters) that have been a feature of Douro (Portuguese Port wine producing region) wineries for centuries are a particular favourite of Michael’s to ensure the highest quality wine. Hand picking, whole bunches included in the ferment and foot treading are also features of Michael’s winemaking that give Wren Estate wines a point of difference that is reflected in the wines.
