The Mornington Peninsula is located approximately one hour south of Melbourne. A cool maritime climate,the region is virtually frost free, but is susceptible to high winds. Rainfall is moderate, throughout winter and the growing season. Most of the vineyards are located between just above sea level and 200 metres. Soils range from weathered volcanic soils to sandy loams and friable well-drained clays. Mornington Peninsula is best known for making elegant cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and sublime Pinot Noir.
The Kirby family set up Yabby Lake in 1992, however, it wasn’t until 1998, that they located and planted their first vineyard site in the sub-region of Moorooduc, Mornington Peninsula. Under the winemaking helm of Tom Carson, Yabby Lake has built an enviable reputation for crafting impeccably balanced premium wines highly expressive of variety and site. Alongside the Yabby Lake estate label, several other ranges are produced including Heathcote Estate, and Yabby Lake’s early drinking second label Red Claw.
Red Claw is the highly-regarded ‘second-label’ of Yabby Lake. Its primary focus is the Mornington Peninsula, where Yabby Lake has 50 hectares of estate vineyards at Moorooduc. Red Claw makes ‘fresh, expressive wines from our own vineyards’ and strives for a quality image, but without complications. ‘For all our style’, they say, ‘there’s a whole lot of substance to back it up’. Red Claw’s Peninsula-sourced range comprises Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Red Claw Shiraz comes from Heathcote, where Heathcote Estate is part of the group.
