The Fossil: Nilpenia is a new genus that was first discovered in the Ediacara Hills of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. The epicentre of the Ediacaran fossils is on the Nilpena site and the current custodian is Ross Fargher, giving the name Nilpenia Rossi.
Nilpenia was a stationary inhabitant that lived in the upper millimeters of sand on the ocean floor. It was fan to circular in shape and was mainly under 10 centimetres in diameter but could span up to 30 centimetres. As Nilpenia increased in size, it displaced sediment through a series of ridges and branching tubes.
Soil type: Biscay clay loam
Winemakers Notes: The grapes were night picked as soon as they reached ripeness to retain the freshness of Shiraz and also the crisp acidity. The wine was fermented to dryness. A further dimension to this style was gained from aging the base wine in French oak barrels.