Tasting Notes for Current Vintage

James Haliday Rating: ««««

Chain of Ponds was founded in 1985 by the Amadio family, with the hand planting of the first pilot vineyard which sits perched on the northern facing slopes of Gumeracha occupying the renowned Adelaide Hills wine growing region, a premium South Australian viticultural zone. In February of 2004 the Chain of Ponds Brand was acquired by Acacia Wines, a new venture headed by Chris Milner and Honi Dolling (previously with Banksia Wines).

First Planting’s
The first planting occurred at Chain of Ponds in 1985. Eight years on, after a labour of love and a little hope and diligence, Chain of Ponds released two white and one red-varietal vintage. In 1995, Chain of Ponds was awarded 3 Trophies Gold Medals and remarkably achieved an identical accolade the following year in 1996.

The Winemaker – Neville Falkenberg
Neville’s genuinely creative approach to the complex craft of fine winemaking is highly revered throughout the wine industry.

As a young man, Neville worked in his parent’s vineyards and his natural winemaking ability and talent evolved over the years throughout the industry, in numerous senior winemaking roles. After 26 years at Penfolds he progressed to the key position of Chief Winemaker of Chain of Ponds Winery.  As Neville says, “It’s great to come back to a boutique winery, where I am actively involved hands on. My ancestors were winemaker’s way back in the 1850’s so I revel in the new atmosphere. My great-great-grandfather made some of the first wine in South Australia in the 1850’s. I am extremely proud to continue the Falkenberg name after so many years and heading south to the hills for cool climate fruit has made me revel in the excitement of the hill’s fruit”.