A Celebration of Heritage: Our Cultivated Collection Shines at Kirby's

There are some evenings that feel truly special from the moment they begin. Last Saturday was one of those nights, as we gathered at Kirby's Atelier de Cuisine in Albany to share our most precious wines - our Cultivated Collection - with a room full of wine lovers who understand that great wine is about more than what's in the glass; it's about story, heritage, and creating memories.

For those who haven't yet discovered our Cultivated Collection, these wines represent something incredibly dear to our hearts. They come from our oldest vines, planted back in 1971, and tell the story of our family's 50-year journey in Frankland River. With only 100 cases of each vintage produced, these wines are crafted to mark life's special moments - and Saturday night certainly qualified as one of those moments.

The evening showcased two extraordinary wines from the collection. Our 2021 Riesling, handpicked from that original 1971 vineyard block, brought its characteristic citrus brightness and mineral complexity to the table. Paired with Chef Frederick Kirby's opening courses, including delicate Leek & Gruyere Tartlets and perfectly prepared Ricotta & Parmesan Gnocchi, it demonstrated exactly why Frankland River Riesling remains one of the wine world's hidden treasures.

The 2020 Shiraz, also from our oldest vines, was a showstopper with the main course. After 18 months maturing in French oak barrels, this wine has developed a richness and complexity that paired beautifully with Chef Kirby's Herb Crusted Lamb. Watching our guests discover new layers of flavor with each sip reminded us exactly why we put so much care into these special wines.

What made the evening particularly meaningful was sharing the stories behind these wines - how each vintage captures not just the character of our oldest vines and richest soils, but also our family's commitment to sustainable winemaking. Even the Vinolok glass stoppers we use for the Cultivated Collection sparked interesting conversations about combining luxury with environmental responsibility.

To the thirty wonderful guests who joined us - thank you for being part of this special evening. Your appreciation for these wines, crafted from the place we chose to call home all those years ago, made the night truly memorable. The conversations shared and connections made over good food and wine reminded us why we love what we do.

For those who couldn't join us, don't worry - while each vintage of our Cultivated Collection is limited to 100 cases, there will be more opportunities to experience these special wines. They're available at our cellar door, where you can taste them in the very place they were created, surrounded by those historic vines that make them possible.

From our family dinner table to yours, we hope these wines continue to be part of special moments and celebrations in your lives, just as they are in ours. After all, that's exactly what we had in mind when we created the Cultivated Collection - wines worthy of life's memorable moments.

Want to experience the Cultivated Collection for yourself? Book a private tasting at our cellar door, where we'll share these special wines and their stories with you.