The sale of the 'Coonawarra Venture' was a turning point for Kym – for fifty years, he had honed his skills, working for the extended family and then creating the Coonawarra wine business. Kym Tolley and his wife, Susan Chenery, embarked on a new journey, establishing a small business to produce wine of the highest quality, creativity, and sustainability standards.
To be a successful Australian winemaker is to see the value of the diverse regions and have the ability to take the best from each to produce a rare commodity that is a "great wine" – not entirely dependent on its specific region.
The proven and sought-after varieties that have been the mainstay of the industry and Kym's winemaking life are Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaking skill widely associated with Australia is the ability to successfully blend regional and varietal wines.
Pictured: 2021 - The Last Emperor begins.
These qualities are reflected in the wine, The Last Emperor, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the three regions that excel in growing these varietals: Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, and McLaren Vale.
To be picked each year are the varieties in these regions that excel in their vintages, and the oak was carefully chosen. The resulting wine will be balanced, combined with subtle notes of region and variety.