Bobtail Ridge Wines

June and Jeremy Roberts were among the early movers in Frankland River, diversifying part of their property by planting vines with the intention of having the grapes vinified. Farming and family commitments delayed that process until 2003, when a Shiraz designed for easy drinking and short-term cellaring was made. In the meantime the plantings had been increased with riesling (3.3ha), semillon, sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon (1.6ha each), shiraz (2.5ha) and merlot (0.8ha). After some experimentation, they now make a Semillon, Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Merlot, the red wines matured in French oak. The family does all the vineyard work as part of its farming activities, using a minimal spraying program and hand-pruning the vines. The majority of the grapes are sold, with only limited quantities vinified under the Bobtail Ridge label, which are consistently of excellent quality. -JAMES HALLIDAY