24 Karat Wines

In 1979 Dr Graham Lloyd, a qualified metallurgist with particular expertise in gold mining, established his now world-leading metallurgical services company Ammtec. By 1997 he was ready for a new challenge, and as he and his family had a long association with the Augusta area, the idea of a vineyard was natural. He found an 82ha property in Karridale, and acquired it in 1997. He then did what many fail to do: in 1998 he signed a 15-year contract with Brookland Valley for sale of the grapes, but included the right to retain 10% for his own label. The vineyard has the major varieties of the region, importantly including 8.7ha of six clones (including the outstanding French Dijon clones) of chardonnay all planted in individual blocks. It is managed with biodynamic principles, and the driving force is to procure quality-based bonus grape payments from Brookland Valley. Graham and Penny's younger daughter Claudia is a winemaker with both Australian and overseas experience, and the expectation is that she will have a long-term involvement with the business. -JAMES HALLIDAY