About Roselea Vineyard

Roselea Vineyard can be found on the Princes Highway, Gerringong, in New South Wales. It is a small family-owned-and-operated business which produces excellent wines.

The vineyard, which lies on the north-facing slope overlooking Rose Valley and Werri Beach, was established by Jeff and Margaret Lester. It has a temperate climate and suffers no frost or the burning heat of summer. The prevailing sea breezes help the grapes to ripen slowly, which hightens the flavour of the fruit and deepens the colour, as well as adding to the complexity of the wine during the fementation. The harvesting period is from February to early April.

The first plantings took place in 1998, with Sauvignon Blanc, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Ruby Cabernet and Verdelho being the vines of choice. They were planted in the rich red and dark volcanic soils that grace the property.

The wines produced at the Roselea Vineyard are invariably soft on the palate with full fruit flavour. Their red wines are aged in new and old American oak barrels, while the whites are fermented cold in stainless steel vats. The Chardonnay, however, is fermented in new American oak barrels, producing lightly oaked and medium oaked wines.

All the wines at the Roselea Vineyard are made from grapes grown on their property and bottled at Gerringong on the South Coast of NSW.

Their Chambourcin is a delightful soft light-red matured wine with pepper and spice overtones. This is their flagship wine.

The Ruby Cabernet has soft berry characteristics and is matured in oak barrels. The Chardonnay is fermented in new American oak barrels and display vanilla, melon and peach characters. This wine was awarded a bronze medal at the 2003 South Coast Wine Show. The Ruby Rosé, made from Ruby Cabernet grapes, has a soft berry flavour with a suggestion of honey.

Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Ruby Cabernet and Verdelho are available on their web site.