"Clair de Lune" when translated from its original
French means "Light of the Moon".
The late French composer Claude Debussy created a magnificent
piano piece, Clair de Lune. It has a beautiful, timeless and
enduring quality and consequently was the source of
inspiration for naming our vineyard and wines.
Clair de Lune's goal is to create wines of great finesse and
elegance that will be enjoyed and celebrated by the wine and
food fraternity thereby promoting our future.
Clair de Lune Vineyard and Winery is located not far from the
ocean but far enough inland to experience a continental
climate ideal for grape-growing.
What's Happening at Clair de Lune
 News from the
Vineyard....
Cane and spur pruning operations are totally completed.
However, one has to be vigilant about an ongoing snail
attack following a rather wet winter. We are out amongst the
vines spreading snail pellets to control the numbers.
Bud-burst occurred a month ago and at the moment we have
foliage about 50mm long and it is these really sweet leaves
that attract the snails. In the near future I intend to apply
a copper-based fungicide to protect against downy mildew. This
will be just one of many fungicides to be applied to the vines
over the growing season.
New Pinot Virus Detected in Australia
On 16th August 2017 'The Australian' newspaper reported that a
new virus that affects pinot noir and other varieties of
grapevines has been detected. It can cause 80% yield loss in
pinot variety grapevines.
With this is in mind, customers and contractors visiting
Clair de Lune will not be allowed to enter the vineyard area
(that is, the area where the grapes are growing) at any time
without my direct supervision. The virus is thought to be
spread through soil, bud mites and infected vine cuttings.
Equipment and boots need to be cleaned and checked to ensure
proper vineyard hygiene.
Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated.
News from the Winery....
Vintage Updates
The 2015 Oaked Chardonnay has just been released and is available for tasting and
purchase at Cellar Door or Farmers' Markets (see below for
locations and dates).
The 2015 Triolet, a blend of Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Merlot,
is now available for purchase.
Please go to the Our Wines
page to view tasting notes for these and our other wines.
Sparkling Wines
Our 2016 vintage Sparkling Brut Chardonnay is not yet available.
Disgorging has been re-scheduled for mid-October. Release for sale is
planned for mid-November 2017.
A Brand New Storage Shed!
Finally, the new storage shed has finished. Wish I had had it
twenty years ago. It's going to make such a difference and
enable us to really tidy up the place and free up space in our
winemaking area.
Closed on Thursdays
Clair de Lune Vineyard advises that we are now closed for
business on Thursdays.
Tasting Fees
As is the case for other wineries, Clair de Lune Cellar Door
now has a tasting fee. It is $5.00 per person and is totally
refundable on any bottle purchase. There is no fee at Farmers'
Markets and festivals.
In
the Region...
Clair de Lune Market Specials
Wine-lovers are advised to investigate Clair de Lune's wine
specials that are regularly offered at the markets below. You never
know what bargains you'll find.
Coal Creek Farmers' Markets
Held on the second Saturday of every month,
Clair de Lune's stall is open for tastings and purchases of the
full range of our products.
The winery is closed until 1:30pm on those Market days.
Inverloch Farmers' Market
Come and taste Clair de Lune wines and other
outstanding regional food and beverages. In the foreshore
parkland picnic area, known as 'The Glades,' in Inverloch on the
3rd Sunday of the month from 8am to 1pm.
Cheers!
Brian Gaffy
Winemaker
Coming Events
Coal Creek Farmers' Market:
8am - 1pm every second Saturday of the
month
Inverloch Farmers' Market: 'The Glades,' in
Inverloch on the 3rd Sunday of the month. 8am to 1pm
Inverloch Jazz Festival Picnic
Day: Labour Day Weekend in March 2018 (on the
Monday) in the Glades, Inverloch
Sandy Point
Foodies' Market: Sunday 14th January 2018, 12noon to
5pm, at the Sandy Point Community Centre. Once again, I will
have a stall to celebrate this event.
The Cellar Door is generally
open for your convenience every day from 11:30am to 5:30pm
(except Thursdays, Christmas Day, Good Friday and times when
I am attending markets, as per the calendar on the home
page).
If you are just passing by and
the gate is open during the usual opening hours, then the
winery is open. Please enter!
However if you know you want to
visit, please ring to make a time so you can guarantee a
tasting.
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