Clover Hill is the culmination of an ideal - the quest to produce a premium sparkling wine from the New World in the French tradition.
The 66 hectare Clover Hill property was selected after an exhaustive search for an optimal cool climate vineyard site. Set on a ridge with views north over Bass Strait and south to the extinct volcano Mount Arthur, the product has further enhanced Taltarni's reputation for quality sparkling wines.
One of Tasmania's largest vineyards, with currently twenty hectares planted to the classic Champagne varieties - chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The vines are close-spaced (1.1 metres apart with 1.9 metres between rows) and planted on well-drained deep, red volcanic soil in a natural frost-free amphitheatre, orientated north-south to maximise sun exposure. Ironstone rocks, the curse of local farmers, act as heat reservoirs and assist grape ripening.
Typically, budburst occurs in late September, flowering and bunch-set around Christmas and veraison is in mid-March. Vineyard management techniques ensure minimal use of chemical sprays.
The first two Clover Hill vintage releases were 100% chardonnay, but since 1994 the blend has evolved to include a substantial proportion of pinot noir and some pinot meunier - the traditional Champagne blend.
From Tasmania, Clover Hill is at the pinnacle of Aussie sparkling wines and a gorgeous alternative to the French." Stuart Gregor
Clover Hill has done much to cement Tasmania as a great source of fine sparkling wine. Epicure Uncorked
Superbly bred Tasmanian which has earned a prime place in the punting palates of astute judges in the past few years. Perhaps a daunting price for the average investor, but you get beaut bubbles for your buck. Paddy Kendler
Since its debut in 1994, Clover Hill has impressed both the local and international wine scene with its uncompromising quality and distinguished house style. Previous vintages have collected gold from Adelaide, Perth, Cairns and Hobart wine shows and been awarded trophies from the international show circuit; including the London International Wine & Spirit Competition and Drinks China Wine Competition.
The base wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, part-matured in (old) oak casks before blending and tiraging, after which it is given three years on yeast lees prior to disgorgement. $35 James Halliday
Clover Hill has done much to cement Tasmania as a great source of fine sparkling wine. Ralph Kyte-Powell
