Behind-the-scenes voice to grace 2023 The Signature

It takes more than a viticulturist and a winemaker to produce a flagship wine for a major wine company.

Think grape pickers, designers, marketers, cellar staff, sales people and wordsmiths among many playing a role.

May 1 will see the release of the 52nd vintage of Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, with the 2023 vintage dedicated to a man whose words have graced the wine's labels for more than three decades: Peter Sawrey.

Each year, The Signature honours an individual who has made a profound contribution to Yalumba’s culture and traditions.

The person honoured is chosen by fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith.

Since 1994, Sawrey has written the back label story for every vintage of The Signature; interviewing each Signatory, distilling their character and contribution, and translating Yalumba’s history into the words that travel with every bottle around the world.

Jessica Hill-Smith says: "Sawrey's storytelling has become as intrinsic to The Signature as the blend itself,"

“An authentic wine must have an authentic recipient, and the 2023 wine is a ripper,” said her father, Robert Hill-Smith.

“The Signatory dedication is an important tradition for our family business. It is wonderful to see it 
grow within our company, with the wine trade, and with people drinking The Signature around the
world.”

Sawrey joined Yalumba in 1988, contributing across events and marketing, and became a custodian of the brand’s narrative. It was in 1994 that Hill-Smith first asked him to interview Peter “PJ” Wall for the back label of the 1990 vintage. What followed was more than three decades of conversations.

Even after retiring from Yalumba in 2009, Sawrey was still invited to write The Signature’s back label.

On being named the 2023 Signatory, Sawrey said: “I am moved. I have dreamt about this day. I have 
enjoyed writing the stories of Yalumba’s Signatories all these years, and now I look forward to writing
my own!”

The wine was made by another Yalumba retiree, Kevin Glastonbury, and I will report back when I have tried it.

Pre-release purchases are available via yalumba.com. RRP $74.

Craft distilling returns to historic Seppeltsfield

Craft distilling has made a comeback to Seppeltsfield Estate’s historic 1877 distillery in the Barossa, reviving the site’s original spirit-making heritage. 

Now open daily from 11am–5pm, Prohibition Liquor Co operates as a working distillery, tasting room, and cocktail bar. 

Guests can enjoy guided gin tastings, seasonal cocktails, classic G&Ts, and a relaxed food menu while soaking up the estate’s iconic palms and heritage buildings.

Set among the estate’s iconic palms and historic buildings, it is described as "the perfect place to settle in for a relaxed tasting, grazing lunch or afternoon cocktail", say the team from Unique Winery Experiences Australia.

Pizzas are served with gluten-free and Vegan options available, alongside crisps and cheese plates designed for pairing with a gin flight or cocktail. 

Bookings are recommended. Click Here. A visit can be combined with a tasting of some of Seppeltsfield's table and fortified wines next door. 

The venue is also available for corporate events, private functions and weddings. 

Brown Brothers unveils $20 cool-climate pinot noir

 

A $20 pinot noir from a big-name Australian wine producer? Pretty rare. 

Brown Brothers has just expanded its refreshed Classic range with the launch of Brown Brothers Classic Pinot Noir, marking the first time in decades that the 137-year-old family winery has introduced a pinot noir at a major commercial scale. 

With an RRP of $20 RRP, the new release targets one of Australia’s fastest-growing red wine segments, reinforcing a broader brand refresh now rolling out nationally, the wine producer says.

Consumer demand for lighter-bodied, fresher and more versatile red wines continues to drive the growth of pinot noir across the Australian wine category, as drinkers increasingly seek reds that feel approachable, modern and suited to a broader range of occasions, Brown Brothers reports.

This shift is helping to:

• Divert drinkers from heavier red styles

• Increase purchase frequency through more flexible drinking occasions

• Reduce shopper risk through familiar varietals and trusted brands

• Drive incremental growth within the red wine category

The 2025 Brown Brothers Classic Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in cool-climate regions of Victoria, including the King Valley. 

I've asked for a sample, so will report back on value. 

Brown Brothers Classic Pinot Noir and the refreshed Classic range are available nationally at participating retailers and online at brownbrothers.com.au.

Overcrowded Barcelona to double taxes on tourists

Barcelona is crowded and tired of tourists.

Fortunately, there are many great alternative destinations in Spain that still welcome visitors.

Barcelona this week announced it is doubling the existing tourist tax for overnight stays.

City leaders just announced hikes for stays in hotels and short-term rentals effective from next month, new hub Travel Mole reported.

Guests in hotels are impacted the most, with hotel taxes going up to around €12 depending on the star rating.

It includes an increased €5 surcharge, which is a fixed fee.

Vacation rental guests will now pay €4.50 a night up from €2.25, as well as the €5 surcharge.

Cruise guests are spared the increases and will continue paying €6 per night.

The moves are to generate funds which will be used, in part, to alleviate the local housing crisis.

The surge in short-term rentals across the city has severely impacted local housing affordability, which has been the reason for several anti-tourism protests in recent years.

The city has already announced plans in principle to ban short-term rental properties from 2028.

Image: Time Beast, scopio.com 

For five weeks the Yarra Valley is the Place for Pinot

Pinot noir? Pinot gris/grigio? Pinot blanc? Pinot meunier?

Whatever your favourite pinot family member, the Yarra Valley is likely to likely to have something of interest.

From March 20 to April 27, Wine Yarra Valley is launching The Place for Pinot - a region-wide pinot celebration, bringing together 16 wineries for a five-week showcase of the wines the cool-climate region is known for.

Visitors are invited to taste their way across the valley, discovering cellar doors, vineyard stories and pinot experiences along the way.

And to guide the journey: a Digital Pinot Passport.

Visitors can check in at participating wineries, build a pinot trail, and unlock an entry into a draw to win a Pinot Prize Pack - a mixed pinot selection from participating wineries.

They are: Oakridge · Helen & Joey Estate · SOUMAH · Squitchy Lane · Punt Road Wines · Pimpernel Vineyards · Medhurst Wines · De Bortoli Wines · TarraWarra Estate · Giant Steps · Boat O'Craigo · Jayden Ong Wines · Wedgetail Estate · Cellar Door at The Farm · Nillumbik Estate · Buttermans Track Wines.

Find out more at https://wineyarravalley.com.au/the-place-for-pinot/

A taste of South America coming to the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula wine region is set to gain a new restaurant with a distinct Argentine accent. 

Brasa is a new sister venue at Montalto Winery that will celebrate South American-style asado cooking over wood-fired grills. 

Led by a chef (still to be confirmed) who has worked with Argentine grill maestro Francis Mallmann, the menu will focus on premium meats, seafood and seasonal produce, much of it sourced from Montalto’s own gardens, served in a relaxed, share-style format. 

The name Brasa means embers in Spanish and the restaurant will aim to replicate the parrillas of Argentina, particularly Mendoza. 

Slow cooking over embers develops deep, natural flavours. In Mendoza that can include cooking over vine cuttings. 

The menu will be designed for sharing with large cuts of meat carved and placed at the centre of the table, encouraging guests to pass plates, pour wine and gather over food. 

Montalto is a member of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia.

See https://montalto.com.au/pages/brasa-by-montalto