Revelation - Francois Ribaud
Revelation started in June 2017 for pruning in view to begin with vintage 2018.
We produce wines from own dry grown grapes, organically with biodynamic principles. The 10.6 hectares vineyard is located in the south of Margaret River and is comprised of 1.6ha of Chardonnay, 1.5ha of Sauvignon, 2ha of Semillon, 2ha of Merlot and 3.5ha of Cabernet-Sauvignon.
We are in a mild Mediterranean climate, and the soil is predominantly sandy loam on top and clay about a metre under.
On the vineyard I work with a tractor, all the pruning and spring vine care are done by hand, as well as the harvest. I believe in human energy in the vines, but still need the tractor to spray and to cultivate when needed.
I spray Sulphur (SO4) between 1 and 1.8kg/ha. (preventive for Powdery Mildew).
In the event that powdery mildew sets in the vines, I will add a product called Eco-Carb at 2.8kg/ha.
If a big rain event is coming through the growing season, I will spray some copper (0.665kg/ha) prior to it. This happen 2 to 3 times per season. (preventive for Downey Mildew)
Every product I use are certified organic by “ACO Certification Ltd”
The wines are made in a contracting facility, as on the early days it is a too big investment to build and equip a winery. This winery is 3km away from the vineyard.
For winemaking, we use a bag press and/or Stainless-Steel open fermenters. The wines are ether aged in Stainless Steel tank or in 6 or more years old barrels.
In 2018, no wines have received any Sulphite (SO2). The wines are unfined and unfiltered, all with indigenous yeasts. The wines are full malolactic.
So far, the vineyard isn’t certified but I aim to begin the process shortly.