A Tropical Twist on Tradition here at Tinaroo
While the basic principles of winemaking remain the same, crafting our exceptional tropical fruit wine requires a few unique steps compared to traditional grape wines. Here's a glimpse into the magic behind our bottled sunshine:
Selection is King: Sourcing the Perfect Mangoes, Lychees, Passionfruit
Our journey begins with meticulous fruit selection. We grow our own fruit here on our property in Mareeba so that we have the ripest, most flavourful mangoes, the sweetest lychees and the most powerful passionfruit from our sustainable farm in tropical north Queensland. Perfectly ripe fruit are essential for creating a well-balanced and delicious wine.
Gentle Extraction: Capturing the Essence of the Mango
Unlike grapes, which are crushed, mangoes are carefully sliced and chopped to avoid damaging the seed / stone in the centre, the lychees are cut and pitted, while the passionfruit is cut and flesh scooped out. This ensures that only the pure fruit characters and essence is extracted, preserving the fruit's vibrant character.
The Art of Fermentation: Transforming Sweetness into Sunshine in a Bottle
Similar to grape wines, the tropical fruit pulp undergoes a controlled fermentation process. Here, specially selected yeasts convert the fruit sugars into alcohol, creating the base of our exotic wine. Our cellar worker John checks the sugars twice a day to monitor the fermentation progress. Meticulous temperature control ensures a smooth and consistent fermentation, preserving the delicate tropical fruit flavours.
Aging for Complexity: Unveiling the Full Potential
After fermentation, the young wine undergoes a period of aging. While some batches may rest in stainless steel tanks to retain the fresh and vibrant character, others may be transferred to oak barrels for a touch of complexity. The aging process allows the flavours to mature and develop, creating a well-rounded and captivating fruit wine.
Blending for Harmony: The Final Touch
Our amazing talented winemaker Brian may carefully blend different batches of fruit wine to achieve the desired flavour profile. This meticulous process ensures consistency and allows us to create unique and delightful expressions of the mango, lychee or passionfruit fruit.
Bottling Our Sunshine: Ready to Share a Taste of the Tropics
Once the aging and blending are complete, the wine is carefully bottled and labelled. With a touch of sulphite added to preserve freshness, each bottle captures the essence of the tropics, ready to be shared and savoured.
From to Bottle: A Labour of Love
While the steps may seem simple, crafting exceptional tropical fruit wines requires a deep understanding of the individual fruits, meticulous attention to detail, and a touch of artistry.
At Tinaroo Creek Winery, we are passionate about showcasing the unique potential of tropical fruits, and our whole range of wines are a testament to this dedication.