The Art and Alchemy of Blending
Blending is where science meets intuition and where the story of a vintage is told. At Whitewolfe Estates, blending is the moment when the work in the vineyard, the quiet patience of barrel ageing, and the countless small decisions we make in the cellar come together. It is not simply mixing wine; it is composing a symphony from many distinct voices.
From Component to Composition
Every year, our vineyard provides us with a library of individual components: micro-vinifications that differ according to clone, yeast strain, fermentation vessel, barrel age, and toast profile. Some barrels carry mineral precision, others creamy depth; some express citrus brightness, others a silky texture from extended lees contact.
These elements are the building blocks of our wines. They are created deliberately, through trial and observation, yet can still sometimes pleasantly surprise us. We work on small scales, knowing that each trial might reveal a new facet of the vineyard and something that earns its place in the final wine.
The Blending Table
Blending at Whitewolfe is a collaborative process between us and our winemaking partners at Itasca Wines. Around the blending table, beakers and pipettes give way to conversation, quiet contemplation, and sometimes lively debate. Each sample is tasted, noted, and considered not just for what it is, but for what it could become when blended.
The process is both methodical and instinctive, guided by the vintage, tasting notes, and the experience of those around the table. But there is always an element of magic: a moment when two components meet and something entirely new is born.
The KC Series
We do not reveal every step of our blending decisions; some things are better left to the imagination. What matters is that the final wines are more than the sum of their parts: layered, harmonious, and balanced, with a voice that speaks clearly of Kits Coty, our vineyard’s unique terroir, and the season in which the fruit was grown.
The KC Series reflects this philosophy. Whether it is the mineral elegance of KC1, the textured depth of KC2, or the vibrancy of KC3, each wine is a carefully considered composition, drawn from the many strands of flavour, aroma, and structure we nurture throughout the year.
In blending, we find not just the vineyard’s expression, but the personality of a vintage shaped by the land, refined by the barrel, and completed by human hands. It is our quiet alchemy, our final act of creation, before the wine begins its journey to you.
