Louis Latour Agencies
Producers
Wakefield
The Region
The Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is situated in the Northern Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia 137km due north of Adelaide and about one hour’s drive west of the Barossa Valley. At its southern entrance at the village of Auburn a series of elevated valleys, rolling hills and wide open valley floors extend 35 kilometres north to the Clare township. The valley is divided into 5 sub-regions: Sevenhill, Clare, Watervale, Polish River and Auburn which each have their own distinctive soil, geography and climatic differences.
The valley benefits from cold winters and cooling afternoon breezes in the summer months which help to create a considerably more moderate continental climate than its geographical location might otherwise suggest. These factors are important in slowing down the grape ripening process and are the reason why delicate, aromatic whites can flourish alongside intensely flavoured reds.
The Wakefield estate is located at the southern end of the valley, in Auburn, and at 350 metres above sea level, is quite elevated. The altitude, combined with a wide diurnal temperature range – up to 40+ degrees Celsius in the day, dropping down to a chilly 5 degrees Celsius at night – is perfect for producing good natural acidity, varietal flavours and aromas in the aromatic white varieties, as well as locking in tannin and colour stability in the reds.