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HISTORY
Behind every wine is a story – and this one started 175 years ago when Australia's Governor Macquarie detailed a group of explorers to establish an overland route to the Hunter Valley. One wild, windy night as the intrepid travellers were crossing The Wollombi Brook, misfortune struck. Cockfighter, the lead horse, became bogged in river quicksand and despite all efforts, drowned. A fateful night that gave birth to the legend of Cockfighter's Ghost..... wines of legend.
Much later, businessman David Clarke decided to expand his Hunter Valley vineyard holdings, and in 1994 acquired a 13-hectare property on the banks of the Wollombi Brook near Broke, which he named after the phantom steed.
Limited production with only 25,000 cases made in total across the range. Proprietor David Clarke intends that Cockfighter's Ghost wines become benchmarks of their time. Winemaker, Usher Tinkler, was the Young Australian Wine Maker of the Year in 2007. Usher also worked the 2008 vintage at Domaine Etienne Sauzet , one of the famed Grand Cru producers of Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy. Usher also makes the Poole's Rock wines.
RANGE & PHILOSOPHY
The Cockfighter's Ghost philosophy is to produce single varietal wines from Australia's finest wine regions, including of course, the Hunter Valley.
The original nine hectare vineyard is planted to chardonnay, semillon and viognier, and a small block of old vine shiraz dating back 50 years. These estate vines are the foundation of the range, which currently includes eight wines – Chardonnay, Unwooded Chardonnay, Semillon, Verdelho, a Victoria Pinot Gris, an Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and a Clare Valley Riesling, and three red varietals from South Australia – a McLaren Vale Merlot, a Shiraz as well as a Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 1998, a Premium Reserve Cockfighter's Ghost label was added. The Premium Reserve range is intended as the epitome of regional expression of a single variety and is only released in exceptional vintages.
The Cockfighter's Ghost no-compromise winemaking philosophy has also been extended to incorporate premium French-made Pechiney Stelvin screwcap closures on the entire range.
The wines available in the United States are:
