Winery

A policy of minimal intervention and old-world winemaking techniques is taken on board to preserve the fruit characters of our biodynamic wines.

Winemaking couple Derek and Anna Hooper take a very hands-on approach to their winemaking. Using a combination of old and new world techniques Derek and Anna draw on their experience at a number of world-renowned French wineries across Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. Red wine fermentation particularly pays tribute to the time-honoured European way involving hand-plunging of wines in open concrete tanks. French oak is the only choice for storing and maturing wines. Cape Jaffa's modern and innovative winery is certified by Australian Certified Organic as an organic processing facility, and winemaking operations are timed to coincide with the events of the biodynamic activity calendar. Harvest dates, rackings and finings are also governed by this schedule. The use of artificial fining agents is avoided, using natural milk products to fine white wines and hand-separated egg whites to fine reds. Where possible, Derek and Anna keep the handling of their wines to a minimum.