Rosé 2026

Vintage: 2026

Vineyard: Gnadenfrei North

Variety: 91% Grenache, 9% Mataro

Alcohol: 13%

pH: 3.2

Titratable Acidity: 6.6 g/L

Rose-gold in colour.

The nose is vibrant and lifted, with bright citrus characters of lemon, mandarin and Cara Cara orange. Delicate caramelised strawberry notes add richness, complemented by hints of raspberry and redcurrant.

The palate opens with fragrant rose petal and deliciously bright mandarin flavours, supported by subtle rosemary and rosemary flower notes that add an intriguing herbal complexity. Fresh and beautifully balanced, the wine carries through to a long, lingering finish of delicate orange zest.

Elegant and vibrant, with a lovely interplay of citrus, red fruit, floral and subtle herbal characters.

After two consecutive warm and dry years, winter 2025 brought a welcome return to average temperatures and rainfall. While the vines rested through winter, the additional moisture helped replenish soil reserves and provided a strong foundation for the growing season ahead.

Spring was cooler than usual, with rainfall 14% above average. These conditions saw the vines emerge from dormancy slightly later than normal, with both budburst and flowering delayed. The additional spring moisture, however, gave the vines a strong start and left them well prepared for another warm, dry summer.

Summer was once again warmer and drier than average, with significant heat events in December and January. For us, as an organic and biodynamic producer, the dry conditions brought the added benefit of low disease pressure. Combined with the later start to the growing season, these conditions slowed grape development and pushed harvest later than usual. During the hottest periods, the vines naturally slowed their growth, helping to conserve moisture and protect the developing fruit. The overall longer, slower growing season has contributed to smaller berries with excellent flavour, concentration and structure.

Across the Tscharke estate, the quality of the 2026 vintage is looking very strong. The reds, particularly Grenache and Shiraz, are showing impressive concentration, vibrant flavour and depth, while the Rhône white varieties, such as Grenache Blanc, are displaying beautiful aromatics while retaining their distinctive freshness and minerality.

Overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a vintage of impressive intensity, character and elegance.

The Grenache component was hand harvested at sunrise on 5 March 2026 from the Gnadenfrei North contours. Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit was immediately destemmed and pressed to tank. The juice was chilled and allowed to settle for 48 hours before racking and inoculation.

Fermentation was conducted at cool temperatures over 30 days, carefully managed to preserve the delicate freshness, vibrant aromatics and expressive flavours of this Rosé. Bottled on 25 August 2026 at the Tscharke property.