Boireann Winery was originally established by Peter and Therese Stark in 1998. The winery was sold in late 2015 and now has a new manager/wine maker Brad Rowe. That’s Peter on the right and Brad on the left encouraging another potential wine maker. The vineyard is tiny, 10 hectares but with only around 1.6 hectares of vines. This small area is planted with no fewer than eleven varieties.
Peter always submitted his wines to James Halliday for assessment. Halliday very quickly realised the quality of Peter’s wines and the vineyard accelerated from a 4 star rating, to 5 black stars and then 5 red stars in just a few short years and the top rating has been maintained ever since. Also in a short space of time the wines have gone from being sealed under cork, to diam, and now (for many years) under screwcap. Peter Stark has long been renowned for his skill at tannin management and in producing quality blends.
Following the vineyard sale Brad and Peter made the 2016 and 2017 vintages together. However, as there is a lot to learn in vineyard management and wine making it was decided that the relationship between Brad and Peter would continue past the two initial vintages, so currently Peter performs a ‘consultancy’ role at Boireann usually two days each week.
The Boireann vineyard has always been immaculately maintained. It is a joy during the growing season to drive along the entrance road and watch the vines waving at you from either side. Peter Stark has always made wines in a style he likes to drink personally. I once asked him, “What do you say to people who say they don’t like cool climate wines?” Peter replied, “Nothing”, then he quickly added, “I put them in blind tasting lineups and enjoy the confusion”. I’m sure that Brad’s enthusiasm and love of wine combined with Peter’s astute transfer of knowledge and skills will safely maintain the standard at Boireann.
The Wines
Red Wines:
• Cabernet Sauvignon | • Shiraz Viognier | • Shiraz | • Mourvédre | • The Lurnea | • La Cima Barbera | • La Cima Barbera Superiore | • La Cima Sangiovese | • La Cima Rosso | • La Cima Nebbiolo | • Tannat
Note: The Lurnea is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. La Cima Rosso is a Nebbiolo/Barbera blend usually around 60/40, it’s a way of making nebbiolo approachable much earlier.
Details
Location: 26 Donnellys Castle Rd, The Summit 4376.
Hours: Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm.
Call Brad 
0746832194
Boireann Winery Web Site
