Wine Guide

The Adelaide Hills:

Arranmore - Carey Gully:

Go and have a chat to Darren Pye at his micro-boutique cellar door pitched high in the Adelaide Hills, surrounded by Pinot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc vines. Visit during the Winter Reds festival for a Beef & Burgundy themed weekend with live music on the croquet lawn.

Must see:

- 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Flinty, zesty and fresh - proper altitude wine)
- 2008 Unwooded Chardonnay (Intense orchard and stone fruit)
- Black Pinot (Ripe and sour cherries with dusty grip)

Open:

- Weekends (or by appointment)
3.5/5 Visitor Experience






Ashton Hills - Ashton:

Rustic cellar door with eclectic charm to burn. Super friendly environment to look out onto the world class Piccadilly Valley Pinot vines and enjoy the extensive range.

Must see:

- 2011 Gewurztraminer (Sweet pretty fruit with necessary freshness)
- Pinot Noir 'Estate' (Delicate lifted fruit with a dusty edge)
- Pinot Noir 'Reserve' (Bolder and grippier - will love to see some age)
- 2001 Cabernet Malbec 'Galah Range' (Funky and different - very affordable)

Open:

- Weekends & Public Holidays (11AM - 5.30PM)
4/5 Visitor Experience 






Hahndorf Hill - Hahndorf:

Unique cool climate philosophy with funky European varieties to match. Head up to the cellar door for a 'ChocoVino' tasting or just enjoy the cozy space with undisturbed views out across the vineyards.

Must see:

- 2011 Gruner Veltliner (Sold out but might find it at Press - Off dry brilliance with green fruit delights)
- 2011 Rosé (Blaufränkisch/Trollinger blend - dry style summer berries and lovely structure)
- 2010 Blaufränkisch (Medium bodied beauty - Aromatic, floral and stylish red)

Open:

-7 days (10AM - 5PM)
4/5 Visitor Experience






Nepenthe - Hahndorf/Balhannah:

Small cellar door but beautiful outdoor lawns with tables and umbrellas - proper picnic material. Taste the range and consider a 'Regional Cheese Plate' and a glass/bottle of your favourite pick.

Must see:

- 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Racy acid structure with hinted tropical notes and minerality)
- 2010 'Ithaca' Chardonnay (Sublime rich fruit backed by acid structure and broad oak)
- 2010 Tempranillo (Delicate summer berries, medium bodied finesse with savoury hints)

Open:

-7 days (10AM - 4PM)
3.5/5 Visitor Experience






Shaw + Smith - Hahndorf/Balhannah:

Immaculately manicured grounds with a picturesque setting of the predominant Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Superb tasting facilities - based on concept of semi formal $15 'wine flights' of four main varietals.

Must see:

- 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (Crisp, refreshing, beautiful balance of fruit and acid)
- 2009 'M3' Chardonnay (Elegant Burgundian style with refined oak and complexity)
- 2009 Shiraz (Understated power of dark fruit and overlay of spice)

Open:

-7 days (11AM - 5PM)
4/5 Visitor Experience






The Lane Vineyard - Hahndorf:

Spectacular panoramic views of the Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges. Book in and head up for lunch or swing past for a cheese board on the viewing deck. Extensive tastings of single vineyard excellence.

Must see:

- 2009 'Beginning' Chardonnay (Elegantly balanced oak, ripe fruit and texture - complex food delight)
- 2009 'Gathering' Sauv/Sem (Unique blend with unabashed citrus character and superb European mouth feel)
- 2010 '19th Meeting' Cabernet (Deep, Dark and Delicious - Complex array of dark fruit and savoury edge)

Open:

-7 days (10AM - 4PM)
4.5/5 Visitor Experience







Barossa Valley:

Charles Melton - Krondorf Road:

A humble and very homely cellar door where you are made to feel like visiting guests. Sit by the crackling fire and settle in as you look out on the old bush vines.

Must See:

- 2010 'Father in Law Shiraz' (Cheeky and delicious fruit with easy approachability - great value)
- 2009 'Richelieu' Grenache (Old bush Grenache - Light and dark berries - satsuma plum and raisin edge)
- 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lovely dark berries and vegetal characters)
- 2009 'Nine Popes' Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (Classic Barossa GSM - Big dark and delicious)

Open:

- 7 days (11AM - 5PM)
4/5 Visitor Experience






Hentley Farm – Marananga/Greenock:

The cellar door is a beautifully restored original 1840’s homestead with a new contemporary make-over. Take time to explore the tally room and have a squiz at the latest artistic offerings before settling in for a superb tasting overlooking Greenoch creek.

Must See:

- ‘The Beast’ Shiraz (Big, bold Barossa Shiraz but not overwhelming)
- ‘The Beauty’ Shiraz (Soft and fairly subtle with deep complexity)
- Zinfandel (Great example – savoury vegetal edge and lifted fruit)
- ‘Clos Otto’ Shiraz (Wow- seriously silky and mysterious – great story to back a fantastic occasion wine)

Open:

- 7 days (11AM - 5PM)
4.5/5 Visitor Experience






Langmeil – Tanunda:

An expansive cellar door with oodles of family and old-school charm. Set some time aside to yarn on with the friendly locals behind the bench - a very inviting experience. Plenty of classic Barossa styles to sample and great stories to match. There's a genuine welcoming vibe to this place!

Must See:

- 2011 Eden Valley Riesling (Lovely fresh spectrum of fruit and crisp notes)
- 2010 Valley Floor Shiraz (Dark and elegant black fruit - an easy drinking bargain!)
- 2009 Jackaman's Cabernet Sauvignon (Rugged and savoury with powerful fruit to boot)
- 2009 Orphan Bank Shiraz (A real aging prospect - intense fruit and structure)
- 2007 Old Vine Company Shiraz (A Barossa elder - big, bold and beautiful)

Open:

- 7 days (10:30AM - 4:30PM)
4.25/5 Visitor Experience






Rockford – Krondorf Road:

Rustic charm all round, it’s all about the wines here – they do the talking! Set out a decent portion of time to chat to the lovely cellar door staff and feel like a local while you sample the range. Seriously quality – extend the credit limit; you’re going to leave with something!

Must See:

- 2010 ‘Frugal Farmer’ Grenache Mataro (Softer, funky offering with skin contact from the Alicante pressings – pretty and different)
- 2009 ‘Rod & Spur’ Shiraz Cabernet (Rich, dark and forward fruit with characteristic coconut/vanilla feel)
- 2003 ‘Rod & Spur’ Shiraz Cabernet (Aging wonderfully with slight fortified hints – seriously good value for big aged red fans)
- 2008 ‘Rifle Range’ Cabernet (Big, developed and rich – soft but lively tannins with extensive length – Yum!)

Open:

- 7 days (11AM - 5PM)
4.75/5 Visitor Experience






Rusden – Bethany Rd Tanunda:

Simple cellar door with ample old world family feel. Cosy and unpretentious – drop by for wood oven pizza or warm by the open fire, while you look at some unique and serious wines. Come in and chat to winemaker Christian and enjoy the down to earth approach.

Must See:

- ‘Good Sheperd’ Cabernet Malbec (Love it to death! Juicy fruit and all the complexity of good cabernet – get onto it)
- ‘Chookshed’ Zinfandel (Seriously good savoury spice– expensive but worth it just to challenge your friends)
- ‘Boundaries’ Cabernet (Herbaceous and dark silky smooth fruit)
- ‘Black Guts’ Shiraz (Big and dark with a vast framework – a serious aging prospect)

Open:

- 7 days (Drop in like old friends)
4/5 Visitor Experience 






Tscharkes – Marananga:

Very groovy European influence – doing things a bit differently and daring to change things up in very traditional Marananga. Funky cellar door with plenty of space to relax and peruse the handmade pottery collection, while you sample the single vineyard fare.

Must See:

- 2011 ‘The Potter’ Garnacha (Earthy, dusty, savoury feel with nice ripe fruit)
- 2011 ‘Only Son’ Tempranillo (Good dark fruit with earthy spice contact)
- 2005 ‘Only Son’ Tempranillo (Aromatic dark fruits with a rustic edge – Love it!)
- 2010 ‘The Master’ Montepulciano (Spicy, deep, dark and well structured)

Open:

- 5 days (10AM – 5PM) Closed Tues/Wed
4/5 Visitor Experience 




Turkey Flat – Bethany Rd Tanunda:

The cellar door is a conversion of an old butchers shop, tucked in among the vineyard and new winery complex. The setting is cozy and provides a classic Barossa feel with picturesque views across the valley floor. Stop for a casual tasting or involve yourself in a 'Butcher's Block' tating, masterclass or blending session.

Must See:

2012 Rose (Fresh and floral with lovely supporting acid vibrancy - Good food appeal)
- 2010 Shiraz (A belter with plenty of complexity and aging potential - get some before it sells out!)
- NV Pedro Ximenes (Lifted and sweet citrus fruit - great value PX) 

Open:

- 7 days (11AM – 5PM)
3.5/5 Visitor Experience








2 comments:

  1. Tully i love this mate!

    Ill try to follow it from now on!

    Tom Northcott

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks pal, all the best with your French adventures!

      Delete