Australian Wines of Distinction
Ainsworth & Snelson Wines - Elegance in a Bottle
A closer look at outstanding wines from Australia's best regions
To say that the world of wine is vast and varied would be a grievous understatement, so it is for this reason, that when a wine is discovered to be of exceptional quality, that one must stop and take notice. Ainsworth and Snelson is a small-production winery based in Melbourne, Australia and produces only small quantities of four classic varieties, Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
One reason these wines stand out from the crowd is that they are grown in regions best suited to the grape variety. The Riesling comes from the Clare Valley, long known as the area most conducive to this aromatic, dignified grape. Yarra Yarra is the place to find archetypal Chardonnay, gutsy Shiraz hails from the Barossa Valley and timeless Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in Coonawara. It is in each of these regions that the vineyards of Ainsworth and Snelson are carefully and devotedly tended to by winemaker Brett Snelson.
A second raison d'être to single out this winery is the tremendous balance found in each wine. ‘Balance’ is a personal perception and often difficult to judge, however, when in its presence there can be no denying the significance. Every component has its proper place in Snelson’s wines, the acidity and sweetness perfectly intertwine while the oak is subtle, the tannins silky and the finish clean and unending.
Who are Ainsworth and Snelson?
Gregg Ainsworth has spent years in various aspects of the wine industry, including some time in France working with Moët & Chandon. With a keen eye for marketing and his extensive knowledge of the business, Ainsworth is the ideal counterpart to Snelson’s skill.
Brett Snelson came to winemaking as a second career and has taken to it like a proverbial fish to water. With less than a decade of vintages under his belt, he already has the wine world taking notice, winning several prestigious international awards and accolades. Snelson spends time in France each year where he collaborates with other winemakers and experiments with different grape varieties and terroir than in his native Australia.
In 2001, their mutual admiration for quality wine came together in the formation of the Ainsworth & Snelson partnership where they forged ahead with their goal of producing “handcrafted wines of true regional expression”.
A world of class in four wines
All creative mediums are a conduit for the expression of the artist, and in the wines from Ainsworth and Snelson, the artist is the grape. Guided and nurtured by Snelson, the grapes express their typicity of character, the terroir of the region and an unhindered sophistication. The Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from the collaboration of Ainsworth and Snelson are a reminder to all wine lovers of the reason we fell in love with wine in the first place.
Visit Gregg Ainsworth and Brett Snelson for more information.
