Category: Winery

Cool Climate Canberra District
Next time you’re thinking of a staycation in the nations capital of Canberra, take a leisurely 30 minute drive north to Gallagher Wines. After over 20 years in winemaking in many parts of Australia as well as vintages in the USA and France, Greg & Libby Gallagher established Gallagher Wines in the Canberra District. Canberra was chosen for the cool climate, the altitude and the summer & autumn sunshine. This makes for a long and slow ripening to give the best winemaking fruit.

Gallagher Shiraz – A Favourite Among Locals
Greg’s intention was to produce a Shiraz that showed not just one intense fruit flavour, but the many flavours produced through the slower ripening. Shiraz is renowned for the rich Plum characters, but it also shows Black Olive, Liquorice and Pepper flavours when ripened slowly. These wines are also softer on the palate, being smooth, savoury and easier to enjoy. Visitors to the Cellar Door often rate the Gallagher Shiraz as the best the district has to offer.

Awarded the Best Canberra Riesling
Gallagher Wines have a reputation for more than Shiraz. The Riesling is a standout in the line up with many local and international awards. The 2017 Reisling being awarded 4 trophies as the Best Canberra Riesling, the Best Australian Riesling, the Best International Dry Riesling and the Best Riesling International. Riesling with fresh lemon/lime aromas, a clean and crisp palate and flavours that linger.

The Best Sparkling in Australia
Sparkling Wines are the 3rd style of wines made by Gallagher Wines, all on site in the district’s only dedicated facility. The Blanc de Blanc is a 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine, aged on lees for 5 years. Gallagher Wines have received many awards for this style including the trophy from Winestate Magazine for the “Best Sparkling in Australia”! Sparkling Duet is a Pinot Noir & Chardonnay blend, made in the traditional method, aged on lees for 18 months is our most popular sparkling, followed by the Sparkling Shiraz.

A Dynamic Father & Daughter Winemaking Team
Lauren, Greg & Libby’s daughter, has joined the team and is now winemaking with Greg. Lauren’s first wine is her Sangiovese Rose, called “The Sinister Apprentice”. A delightful bright pink showing fresh red fruit on both nose and palate, perfect with foods ranging from Salmon to Pancakes. Greg is a bit concerned with the name, but Lauren assures him that the take over will be mostly peaceful.

Glorious Cheeses Made at the Winery
Libby has been making cheese for 15 years at her “Fromagery” at the Cellar Door. Tastes of the Camembert, Labneh, Creamy Blue and her Zucchini Pickles with the wines are a highlight of every visit. Gourmet Traveller magazine rated Gallagher Wines in the top 50.

Montalto Wines in Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula is iconic among locals and it’s reputation stretches across Australia. Any why shouldn’t it. Have a look at the beautiful rolling hills viewed from the restaurant and courtyard patio.

Creating An Extrordinary Winery
Inspired by the rolling vineyards of their holidays in southern France, John and Wendy Mitchell bought their first small winery in 1997. 

Over the years the estate that would become Montalto evolved as the passions of the Mitchell family took hold. A love of nature, growth, people and environment joined with a desire to produce the best possible from the land of which they were now caretakers. 

The Mitchell’s draw on what they love, and share this passion with others; a philosophy of producing with love, for love.

Multi-Award Winning Restaurant & Winery
Montalto is a 16 times AGFG chef’s hatted restaurant, casual Piazza courtyard and sculpture trail in Red Hill, on the Mornington Peninsula. We’re also the GTWine Magazine ‘Star Cellar Door’ for 2020 & a Halliday Five Red Star rated winery.

The Montalto team’s philosophy is that wine should be an expression of its origin, a representation of the best fruit produced from its site in a particular vintage. 

The emphasis is on producing fruit of outstanding quality. Meticulous and considered winemaking is focussed on preserving and enhancing the characters from their Red Hill winery.

146 Gold Medals
Nominated as finalist in Gourmet Traveller’s Winemaker of the Year 2015 Len Evan’s Tutorial Scholar 2016
To date, Montalto wines have amassed 146 Gold Medals and 35 Trophies Nationally and Internationally under my stewardship.

Simon Black,  Winemaker
Meet Simon Black, winemaker. The 2010 appointment of Simon Black as winemaker marked a new chapter in the Montalto wine journey; an opportunity for the wines to achieve their full potential. Before joining Montalto Winery, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, just in time to set up the newly fitted-out winery and crush the first grapes for the 2010 vintage, Simon was the inaugural winemaker at both Willow Creek and Heathcote Estate, where he was also instrumental in setting up the production facilities.

Like the name suggests, Purple Reign by Masstengo Wines is a smash hit with wine lovers. In a time when wine drinkers are looking for new wines in local wine cellars, a purple wine is novel to bring to a BBQ lunch. Purple Reign uses natural plant-based antioxidants, to not only create the amazing colour, but also preserve the wine, all while minimising sulphites in the wine making process.

We spoke with wine innovators Tim Macnamara, and Rosco Stewart of Masstengo in March 2021 and asked them a few questions:

Question: Why purple ?

Tim: Necessity is the mother of all invention. After seeing all the chemical additives in wine, I researched high antioxidant natural plants, that may be used instead of them. I chose compounds that contained purple anthocyanins, turning the wine purple. I also noticed a considerable preservative effect, with wines lasting a long time in my fridge after being opened. I also noted my head was much clearer after much ‘testing’ of many batches.

Rosco: Purple is the traditional colour of royalty, and one of the hardest to find naturally. In antiquity it was derived from sea snails and was so rare due to the amount needed and difficulty in harvesting, that only kings and queens could afford it.

Question: What are Anthocyanins?

Tim: Purple coloured foods contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. A recent BBC online article talks of research linking anthocyanins to increased longevity, cardiovascular health, reduction in cancer and dementia prevention.  Purple foods that contain anthocyanins include blueberries, sweet potato, beetroot, and pomegranates.

Rosco: Whilst Anthocyanins have been used for thousands of years as tonics in tea, colouring in rice and preservatives throughout the eastern world, modern research is just beginning to cite their potential benefits for commercial use in food and beverages. “Anthocyanins are colored water-soluble pigments belonging to the phenolic group which possess antioxidative and antimicrobial activities, improve visual and neurological health, and protect against various non-communicable diseases”. (Khoo et al, Food and Nutrition Research 61(1) 2017)

Question: What are some possible advantages in your new approach to wine?

Tim: There could be many: use of natural organic preservatives, reduction of artificial additives, less hangover, antiallergens etc. Our Taiwan import partner got in touch with us initially because it did not trigger his asthma, as other wines have. Bottle shops have also tested how long it stays fresh after being opened, testing it every day, and declaring it was still fresh after two weeks.

Rosco: Our ethos is to remove harmful preservatives like sulphur from the winemaking process and continue to develop new ways to do so. The motto of our company Masstengo is ‘Wine for a new world’ and we are trying to create new innovative ways of making wine without chemicals. We are also the first purple wine in the world so this modern FOMO driven market there is an upsell from people’s natural inquisitiveness and eagerness to try new things.

Question: Do you export your wines?

Tim: Currently we sell to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and we launch in the USA next month. It has proven hugely popular, with many other countries requesting it, and we have had enquires as far off as Macau, Denmark, Canada, Malta, Singapore, France, UK, Dubai, Malaysia, and many, many more.

Rosco: Interestingly Purple Reign is so popular in Japan that out distribution partners organised a special limited release with Sanfrecce Hiroshima Football Club, whose official colour is purple. The Sanfrecce release is J League endorsed and already sold 5000 bottles.

Question: What trends are you seeing in the marketplace for 2021 and beyond?

Tim: Organic, Preservative Free, and Vegan Friendly will continue to grow. Our two new red wines are due in August and will be all those things and also infused with our helpful antioxidants.

Rosco: Consumers will be looking for interesting new products that harness the power of nature, are sustainable, organically farmed, and free from harmful chemicals. Masstengo is on the same page, trying to find natural, sustainable, and innovative ways to push the boundaries of wine making.

The fearless team has no limit to their accomplishments ahead. Vision is sacred to those who truly believe and Tim is one of those few people who has the ‘the right stuff’.

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Tantalise your tastebuds and pleasure your palate with all the gourmet goodness of Wagga Wagga’s wondrous Cottontail Wines.

Situated 15 km to the north-east of Wagga Wagga, NSW, Cottontail Wines is a family-owned business led by the family duo Gerry and LillyMcCormick.

Cottontail Wines is a scenic dining experience in the Riverina that overlooks the vast picturesque countryside of Wagga Wagga, NSW. They offer award-winning homegrown wines, signature dishes that are prepared with fresh Riverina produce and specialised event services.

At Cottontail Wines you’ll find yourself immersed in the aroma of our signature dishes, sipping on world-class wines and absorbing the scenic Riverina landscape.

The Vineyard
10 acres of vineyards were planted in 2002 and as hoped, the nutritious and healthy soils of the Riverina worked its magic, producing an abundance of luscious quality fruits with rich, complex flavours.

Soon after the harvest in 2005, the first commercial vintage of Shiraz and Chardonnay under the Cottontails brand was launched to great acclaim in the domestic and international markets.Encouraged to expand their range, by 2017 Cottontails had created 8 distinctive varieties, each with their own unique twist on the full-bodied berry-fruit flavours for which this proud local winery is renowned.

The Restaurant

In 2016, Gerry’s daughter Lilly took the reins as restaurant manager, and alongside Gerry is a strong and popular presence in the area. Their passion for sourcing all things local brings the best of fresh Riverina produce to the table and has seen Cottontails take pride of place in the area. It is a testament to the power of nurturing a dream. A dream that embraces family, nature, and community.

Gerry McCormicks’ bold decision to establish a winery at Harefield Ridge in 2001 was the first step in an inspiring journey that has borne fruit in the form of the spectacular Cottontail Wines estate. 100 acres of undulating land provided nature’s own canvas on which to begin the dream of creating quality fruits and superior wine production.

The first seeds were planted in the form of over 170 olive trees in 2001, and it was here that the full magnitude of Gerry’s ‘big picture’ vision began to take shape. With their plump fruit and stunning foliage, these now mature olive trees provide a scenic welcome to visitors on approach to the restaurant and vineyard and offer a glimpse of the delicious wonders that await.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cottontail Wines in Wagga Wagga.

 

If wine is art, then Judy & Glen Kelly’s Adelaide Hills’ Artwine is a masterpiece!

Producing 14 estate grown varieties from their vineyard in the Clare Valley and the cooler climate of  Adelaide Hills vineyard, which houses the Cellar Door and Tasting Room, Artwine is a must visit when traveling to South Australia’s famous wine regions. Varieties are Pinot Grigio, Fiano, Viognier, Graciano, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Prosecco, Albariño, Grûner Veltliner, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Old Bush Vine Grenache.

Judy & Glen Kelly were totally inspired by the new Mediterranean varieties which started them on their crazy wine journey nearly twenty years ago or at least that’s what many traditional winemakers thought at the time. Estate Grown, Vegan and producing 16 wines from 14 varieties and with a further three “alternative” varieties planted this year.

Why do they love these new varieties so much? They are super food friendly, climatically suited to our two regions and have wonderful complexity of flavours awaken our palates. We are fast becoming a nation of foodies with exposure to the flavours of Europe, these wines excite and complement our lifestyle.

They were way ahead of our time in many of our initial plantings, the first to plant Fiano, Graciano and Viognier in the Clare Valley and today are the only Adelaide Hills Cellar Door offering an estate grown Prosecco and Albariño from our Hills vineyard.

Their achievements have been beyond our hopes and dreams. Artwine have achieved 25 trophies to date including Wine of Show at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show and 3 Winestate Magazine Wine of the Year category trophies. And with delicious platters of olives, salami, fruits and dips served  while tasting European wine varieties, you might well think you are in th Mediterranean!

There are few sporting franchises better known than the Liverpool Football Club. Second only to the hallowed turf of Anfield is Clare Valley vineyard at Claymore Wines in South Australia. That is where you will find a Premiership Team that is passionate about  bringing together football wine and music to create the ultimate experience. Many of the Claymore Wines labels are inspired by either football or some of the greatest music of modern times.

Just over 20 years ago, Claymore Wines was humbly established with small volumes of Grenache and Riesling from a single vineyard in Penwortham. Since then, the estate has grown to include additional varientals and 44 hectares across three additional vineyards in Watervale.

Claymore Wines cellar door is conveniently located at the gateway to Clare Valley in Leasingham, and only a short distance from the town centre of Clare. Taste your way through the entire range, including some wines available only at Cellar Door. Starting with Superstition, then visit the Joshua Tree, experience the Dark Side of the Moon, then slide into a Bittersweet Symphony.

Enjoy the sunshine on the deck with a glass of wine and cheese platter using South Australian cheeses and local produce or prop yourself up on a stool and lose yourself in the wine tasting experience.

Winemaker at  Emma Walker believes in minimal intervention, or the ‘velvet glove of winemaking’ as she likes to call it, where she supports the ‘fruit to be a true expression of the vintage conditions and sense of place’. She has adopted this approach after working extensively throughout multiple local and international wine regions throughout her career.

Emma’s first project was completely unplanned. It was born out of serendipity and intuition. When referring to the 2020 Whole Lotta Love Emma comments ‘we found a stunning block of Pinot that just screamed Rosé. It looked so pretty in the vineyard, and that carried through to the glass’.

The varietal and wine are stylistically very different to the rest of the wines in the Claymore Wines’ range. Deliciously crisp with a pale blush hue, displaying notes of vibrant pink grapefruit with mineral elements of sea spray and appealing aromatics of wild strawberries and cream.

Come on REDS. #YNWA

The Story

The Hirsch family believe that there are no short cuts in life.  Any pursuit of the good in life begins with dedication and appreciation for hard work. The Hirsch family strive to produce honest wines with 100% estate grown and hand harvested fruit, offering a unique taste of the cooler northern end of the Yarra Valley region.

The land at Hirsch Hill was purchased by brothers Jack and Eddie in 1990 for the purpose of breeding and producing Thoroughbreds. They quickly realised the land they obtained was perfect for growing and cultivating wine – since all their neighbours were planting vines! 

Jack became the spearhead of the wine business, establishing the estate and planting the first crop in 1998.

Throughout the years, Jack Hirsch relentlessly investigated new ways to make each vintage better than the last. One of Jack’s first awards was our 94 rated 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. The highest rated Cabernet in the 2007 Australian Wine companion. This was only the start of dozens of awards and high-rated reviews they have received over the years. 

When it comes to producing world class varieties of wine, the Hirsch family is eager to embrace, adapt and explore new and innovative practices. The last few years has seen them employ the help of some of the region’s top winemakers; recently borrowing the skills and knowledge of Rob Dolan. Rob’s hands-on approach to winemaking is a perfect fit for the family and the estate.

Over its 30-year history, Hirsch Hill has matured itself in a 4.5 star rated vineyard by James Halliday. The second generation of the family now operates and continuously develops the rich and proud history that there is at Hirsch Hill. 

… and they still love to breed and race their Thoroughbreds 😉

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Capturing stunning views over the vineyard and out towards Reeves Point, Bay of Shoals Wines is well worth a visit.

With its first harvest in 1998, Bay of Shoals is a boutique winery located on Reeves farm, which was part of the first land subdivision in South Australia. Owner John Willoughby first spotted the farm whilst sailing past on his yacht” Enchantress”. 

The cellar door was established in 2006, and offers wines that are sophisticated, yet approachable, with a range of varietals to suit any occasion. Bay of Shoals produces beautiful award-winning wines that benefit from a maritime climate, enhancing the fruit flavours.  In fact, their Riesling vines are thought to be the closest to the ocean in the Southern Hemisphere, at just 30 metres to the water’s edge.

Bay of Shoals wines really are an authentic Kangaroo Island product as their grapes are grown, harvested, and made into wine on site at the winery by winemaker Kelvin Budarick, who came over to the Island from the Clare Valley, bringing with him 30 years of winemaking experience. It is no surprise that Kelvin’s wine of choice is Riesling, stating that his love of Riesling goes beyond the clean citrus flavours, he likes its versatility. 

Kelvin has been involved one way or another in the wine industry all his working life, becoming assistant winemaker at Leasingham wines in 1990. 

Kelvin modestly points out that at Bay of Shoals Wines he has been given the opportunity to manage the whole process of winemaking from start to finish, from tending the vines through to controlling the fruit and making the wine. Vine to glass, so to speak. Kelvin believes good wine is a reflection of good fruit and attention to detail, believing that what happens in the vineyard is key to the success of producing quality wine.  Bay of Shoals believes that their wines are special because they are a true expression of the fruit characters of each grape variety grown in the vineyard.

Aside from beautiful wine, visitors will find endless nautical references and curiosities, a result of a collection of traditional boats, charts, oars and instruments collected by owner John Willoughby, a passionate and accomplished sailor, having competed in six Sydney to Hobart yacht races and winning the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, in 2010. 

A love of sailing and the sea is evident as you stroll around the property and cellar door, sails from many Sydney to Hobart yacht races adorn the walls of the cellar door with stunning sea views as a backdrop and beautiful old boats resting against tree stumps. 

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For the travelers in search of a weekend away, Flinders in Victoria is a beautiful quaint town which locals enjoy pretty much to themselves. From enjoying jumping off the Flinders Pier before buying freshly cooked mussels, the town is named after the famous Matthew Flinders, the English navigator termed our nation “Terra Australis” from which Australia originated.

A short 10 minute drive from Flinders along Tucks Rd in Shoreham is Mantons Creek Estate, where the Pellicano family winery produce hand crafted, award-winning premium quality wine. The family takes pride in producing high quality wine with a sensible, sustainable viticulture approach. Located in a magnificent setting off a small beaten track in one of Australia’s premier wine and food producing regions Mornington Peninsula.

The 19-hectare property was previously an orchard and herb farm before it was developed into a vineyard during the 1990’s.  Michael Kyberd has been a winemaker for over 20 years on the Mornington Peninsula and has worked with Mantons Creek Estate over three vintages producing award-winning premium wines. There are eight variety of grapes grown on the vineyard which include Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Tempranillo and Muscat.  

Mantons Creek Estate is the perfect place to venture out to. The Cellar door is contemporary, it draws strongly on materials with a sense of maturity, quality & richness to compliment its surroundings. Cellar Door offers a variety of premium estate white, red, sparkling and dessert wines. The restaurant Quattro is a unique, regional venue with indulgent views across the vines. This secluded and tranquil haven offers an exceptional intimate and relaxed Mediterranean inspired dining experience with an Italian influence Menu. 

Don’t forget to say hi to Humphrey, our vineyard donkey who is located in the first paddock near the bend at the second entrance. He is a very friendly fellow!

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Austrian-varietal wines have become the passion and mainstay of vignerons Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson of Hahndorf Hill Winery in the Adelaide Hills. Their picturesque vineyard is situated at the edge of the German heritage town of Hahndorf, only 30 minutes’ drive up the freeway from Adelaide. This is a magnificent property and meticulously maintained.

Here they have planted and are pioneering Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt and Saint Laurent, which are grape varieties widely found in Austria and in surrounding European countries but which are relatively unknown in Australia.

“We love working with these grape varieties because they make beautiful, food-friendly wines. They also enable us to offer something different and interesting for Australian wine consumers to try.”

Marc Dobson, Owner of Hahndorf Hill Winery

Hahndorf Hill make four styles of Gruner Veltliner, Austria’s great white grape – a classic, reserve, new-world and dessert style, each appealing to its own niche market. Their classic style has achieved considerable success, having twice been rated by Austrian wine magazines as being the best example of Gruner Veltliner in the world outside of Austria.

Here in Australia two of Hahndorf Hill’s Gruner Veltliner wines were placed on James Halliday’s Top 100 Wines list for 2019.
According to Marc, Gruner Veltliner is accessible and enjoyable with its purity of fruit and minerality and it also has sufficient complexity to spark the interest of any keen wine lover.

During the 2020 vintage, Marc and Larry harvested their first crop of Saint Laurent – an Austrian red grape variety which is the genetic ‘daughter’ of Pinot Noir, sharing some of its characteristics both in the vineyard and in the bottle. Like Pinot Noir, Saint Laurent can be temperamental in the vineyard and in the winery, but the results can be gorgeous when you get it right. Style wise, it’s similar to Pinot Noir but darker in colour and a bit more assertive.

In addition to their Austrian-varietal wines, Hahndorf Hill also produces other cool-climate classics, such as Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and a delicious, dry-style Rosé.

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