Turners Crossing

Not far from the tiny settlement of Serpentine, about 50km northwest of Bendigo, Turners Crossing vineyard rests on the banks of the Loddon River on the Old Bridgewater-Serpentine road. On inspecting the site in 2002, Phil Bennett thought the land had the potential to be a productive and viable vineyard. And he was right. After intensive soil testing and irrigation planning, site preparation began followed by the extensive planting and trellising of the vines. Since then, Turners Crossing has been producing wines of outstanding quality that speak of a sense of place and provenance. A combination of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and the rare Italian variety, Picolit vines thrive on 42 hectares of well-drained, red sandy clay topsoil. The sub-soil is red light-to-medium clay containing limestone pebbles. The vineyard is virtually pesticide and chemical free; warm days and cool nights allow grapes to ripen during the day and the vines to recover overnight. Vines are spur-pruned and bud numbers are calculated to deliver low yields, but quality fruit. The Turners Crossing name honours a former local publican, Thomas Turner, who purchased land at this site in 1868. Phil says the land bears the well-trodden footprints of farmers who used this passage to cross the river, from the mid-to late 1800s. Since Turners Crossing’s first vintage, Australian wine writer James Halliday has consistently rated the wines between 91 and 96 points and has distinguished it as a 5 Star wine producer since 2007. The Turners Crossing range of wines include its premium red wine The Crossing Shiraz, a Shiraz Viognier blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Block 25 Cabernet Shiraz blend, a Viognier single varietal white wine, Rose made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and the rare but delightful Picolit dessert wine.