A barrel of fun as iconic cellar door gets a makeover

One of the first - and best-known - cellar doors in Australia is about to re-open.

McWilliam’s Wines has just announced the return of its refreshed Hanwood cellar door, one of the most popular tourism attractions in the Riverina.

The facility has undergone extensive upgrades to its interiors and will offer a range of new wine experiences from Friday.

McWilliam’s barrel-shaped cellar door was first opened in 1973, and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The facility's new owners, the Calabria family, have worked with a team of local designers and suppliers during the past 12 months to oversee the renovations.

The Hanwood Estate vines were first planted in 1913 and have been a key producer of fruit for fortified wines ever since.

 

“Many people associate the name McWilliam’s with the barrel and the many fond memories of rich fortified tastings inside it," said second-generation winemaker and managing director Bill Calabria AM.

"The building has become a landmark in the Riverina and was a hub for much of the great history behind the McWilliam’s name. This reopening feels like a new era for us and a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and visitors with some incredible new wine experiences.”

While maintaining the iconic barrel-stave shell, extensive upgrades have transformed the interiors into
a modern, lodge-style spot in which to sip wines.

Cosy deluxe leather lounges and a long 16-seater table create space for up to 35 guests.

There is also a private tasting room; the ‘Friar Room', which pays tribute to the winery's retro novelty Friar mascot.

The tasting menu features a range of aged fortified, and limited cellar door releases.

The McWilliam's Barrel is located on Jack McWilliam Road, Hanwood, NSW, and will
be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-4pm.

Wine enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their tasting experiences in advance by booking online at mcwilliams.com.au

New release to honour female winemaking pioneer

When you have been in the wine business for over a century, you have plenty of stories to tell. 

Iconic Australian winery McWilliam’s Wines this week announced a new wine will honour the family’s first female vineyard manager and winemaker, second-generation Eliza Jane McWilliam, with a special release shiraz, to be unveiled this month. 

The 2018 Eliza Jane Canberra District Shiraz celebrates Eliza Jane, who, in 1902, managed the family’s Sunnyside vineyard and winery operations after the passing of her father, Samuel McWilliam. 

The wine will be the top shiraz offering in the McWilliam’s Wines portfolio. 

“Eliza was the eldest daughter of nine children to Samuel and Martha McWilliam - that in itself came with tremendous responsibility,” said sixth-generation family member and McWilliam’s global brand ambassador Scott McWilliam. 

“While John James, her younger brother, was responsible for bringing the McWillam family to Griffith, it was Eliza who returned to Sunnyside Vineyard in Corowa when Samuel died in 1902. 

"She and her two sisters took to running Sunnyside for two solid years before it was sold off.

“She even won first place in the Sweet White Wine category at the Corowa Agricultural Show with her first vintage release in 1904. 

"I dare say she would likely be Australia’s first female winemaker, if not one of the most successful female winemakers of her time.”

The wine chosen is made from fruit grown at the Quarry Hill Vineyard, just south of Murrumbateman in the Canberra district. 

It is described as "a small, dramatic amphitheatre-like vineyard with very thin soils primarily composed of granite."

The fruit was hand-picked in the early morning, then transported to the Hanwood winery in Griffith, where it was cool stored overnight before processing the next morning. 

The winemaking saw 50% whole clusters included in the open fermenter for lifted aromatics. 

The juice was fermented for 14 days on skins and the wine was pressed off and transferred to French oak puncheons for 10 months on fine lees. 

Just 25% new oak was used, with the remainder second and third fill. 

I'm told a bottle is on the way, so will update with my tasting notes. 

“This is a modern, cool climate, shiraz. It is beautifully concentrated and fresh," McWilliam said. "I can’t think of a better wine to honour someone so prominent in our family tree.” 

The bottle is labelled with Eliza Jane’s name and signature and will be available through wine retailers and McWilliam’s online cellar door for $100.

See www.mcwilliams.com.au.

It's a deal! Calabria purchase of McWilliam's Wines deal finalised

                                           

                                           Andrew Calabria and Scott McWilliam

Calabria Family Wines’ purchase of McWilliam's Wines is now complete.

Calabria family patriarch Bill Calabria announced the finalisation of the deal in a letter to associates.

"Both of our families have a rich heritage, contributing much to the Australian wine industry 
and the Riverina wine region," he said. 

"While the recent acquisition closes a difficult period for the McWilliam family, I speak for everyone in the Calabria family that we aim to respect their many contributions to the growth of Australian wine and champion the unique attributes that have made the McWilliam’s name celebrated around the world.

"Since our own founding 75 years ago, the supportive relationships with our Riverina neighbours have always been an important part of our journey, not least with the McWilliam family.

"The McWilliams were instrumental in helping my father, Francesco Calabria, in establishing our vineyard and winery. I know that it’s in this spirit that Frank, Michael, Andrew and Elizabeth are proud and honoured to be working with Scott McWilliam and the rest of the family to bring both of our businesses together in the best way possible.

"Over the next four weeks, our focus will be to integrate each McWilliam's Wines business department into our own - from production and sales to marketing and operations. We aim to align all systems to work together, while both brands maintain their unique identities.

"Our ultimate goal is to ensure we are both on a path to prosperity. Combined, McWilliam's and Calabria have over two centuries of winemaking experience and excellence - and it’s our goal to give the utmost respect to that.

"While these businesses will continue to operate as two entities, both families will work together - stronger as one."

Andrew Calabria and Scott McWilliam

Calabria swoops to buy McWilliam's Wines

Riverina and Barossa Valley winemaker Calabria Family Wines has acquired a piece of Australian wine history with the purchase of McWilliam’s Wines. 

The sale, set to be complete by April 30, was announced today by KPMG and selling agent Colliers International. It will see the Griffith-based Calabria family take ownership of the McWilliam’s brands, intellectual property, and stock holdings as well as the Hanwood vineyard, winery and cellar door. 

Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley was sold to developers Medich Family. That could prove contentious. 

 

“It is a great honour for our family to become the proud custodians of Australian winemaking history with the purchase of McWilliam’s Wines," said third-generation general manager Michael Calabria. "Despite recent challenges, we know the McWilliam’s name carries a long and prestigious reputation as one of Australia’s oldest wine producers.” 

Calabria Family patriarch Bill Calabria

McWilliam’s was established in 1877 and has become one of Australia's leading family-owned wineries. With six consecutive generations of winemakers and over 140 years of experience, McWilliam’s has established a range of premium vineyard holdings across the Riverina and New South Wales. It had been in administration.

 

“Local members of the McWilliam family are pleased that the Hanwood winery and the McWilliam’s Wines business will continue under the control of the Calabria family and that their passion for the local region, brands and history of the company will continue under their family ownership," said fifth-generation Greg McWilliams. 

 We have had a close and enduring relationship over many years and look forward to working with the Calabria family in the future.” 

For further information about Calabria Family Wines visit www.calabriawines.com.au.