Somewhere near the Seaview end of McLaren Vale's Chapel Hill Road, a perfunctory passerine perched her pincers astride a pair of power poles and saw herself alit. Down she went amongst the dry grown branches of an old Grenache vineyard, setting the valuable veterans ablaze. The scorched site eventually came to the attention of a winemaking trio, the Messrs Leske, Tynan & Cooke, Masters of Wine and a venerable vintner, all driven by a consuming passion to make greater Grenache. Thistledown vintage very small amounts of the most extraordinary Grenache. Beautifully detailed and conspicuously elegant, their floral bouquets and graceful finish emulate the aromatic lift and peacock's tail of a prettily perfumed Pinot Noir. Magnificent to savour as a captivating aperitif, a bliss alongside..
Polly & the pyre to paradise»
Grown to the frigid climes of Central Otago, the vines at Prophet's Rock were established 1999 to the most auspicious sites in the nether regions around the ancient goldfields of Bendigo Creek. Challenging aspects with breathtaking views of Cromwell Basin and Pisa Ranges, these are places defined by their fortuitous soils and favourable climes, tiny parcels of vine capable of just a few hundred cases each vintage, picked for their confluence of growing conditions and husbanded by a devout cadre. The winemaking is decidedly French, small vessels and wild yeasts, followed by an extended term on sedimentary lees for opulence. Invigorated by the warmth of alluvial pebbles and infused by the minerality of quartz schists, the opportune vines yield a small range of wines, made by environmental..
Bounty of bendigo goldfields»
An alluring assortment of uplifted black cherry and dark berry flavours, espresso and licorice allsorts. The quality of Shiraz grown to parched vineyards in Victoria's rugged western districts, has been well known throughout the world... More»
Fruit sweetness welcomes you to the palate, Cienna is soft and juicy with a refreshing spritzig finish, giving the impression of berries popping in the mouth. Cienna is an exciting new grape from the CSIRO labs, formulated by crossing the Sumoll grape with Cabernet Sauvignon... More»
Rich, plump mid palate with savoury flavours, characters of rhubarb and ham, sleek tannins that glide across the palate. The Father in Law is a single block of elite vine, originally acquired to keep Mrs Melton's dad busy after... More»
The palate is full bodied, complex and rich with prominent lemon/ lime flavours and a bready character which lingers. Patricia is the culmination of Brown Brothers commitment to excellence in viticulture and oenology... More»
More savoury than fruity, a faint hint of clove and fresh cardamom adds intrigue to the nose. Ata Rangi founder Clive Paton has long been an avid tree planter and has won a number of awards for... More»
At latitude 45 degrees south, Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world. Snow topped mountains, rocky ranges and dry tussock hills, a place of climatic extremes, bitterly cold winters, parched soils and discouragingly poor fertility. Designed by the angels in heaven for sublime and stupendous vintages of Pinot Noir. At the very epicentre of the most desirable confluence in Central Otago microclimes is Nanny Goat Vineyard. Conspicuous for her serious weight of fruit, splendid structure and chewy, textural palate, Nanny Goat make a magnificently endowed style, offering the understated power and presence to accompany gourmet game sausages, meaty Mediterranean braises or char grilled rib...
That's perfect for porterhouse»
The Heathcote Wineworks were one of the first commercial wineries in central Victoria. Prominently placed along Heathcote's main boulevard, established by Thomas Craven in 1854 to cater for the huge influx of gold miners seeking their fortune. Thomas Craven was a purveyor of spirits and wine, he traded in gold, providing a lifeline to local prospectors. An entrepreneurial type, he also operated a coach service from stables behind the cellar door, despatching supplies and delivering mail around the central Victorian goldfields. The legacy endures within a measured range of small batch Shiraz, crafted to traditional techniques and fashioned for timeless excellence. Enthusiasts of grand old brands with a provenance and history are advised to avail themselves of a case or two Shiraz from Heathcote..
The alluring case for craven's place»