Kay Brothers Basket Press Merlot

The Amery property was purchased by Herbert and Frederick Kay in October 1890 and they officially came into possession on February 2nd 1891. There is a meticulously kept diary for every year that the Kay Family has been at Amery. They give not only detailed vintage records and weather information, but also a host of day-to-day insights into the tremendous physical effort people put into working and living in those early days. The Kay brothers continued to thrive and by 1920 were averaging a vintage harvest of 150 tons of wine grapes. Most of the wines made at this time were dry red blends destined to be sold in bulk and for export. They also made sweet fortified reds and a small quantity of dry whites. The dry red style was very typical of the area generally – full bodied, dry, deep colours and heavy in tannin.