A chance to explore some of NSW's top drops

Calling all Sydney wine lovers. 

The Winter Cellar Door will be returning to Carriageworks in Eveleigh this winter. 

After the success of last year's NSW Wine X Carriageworks festivities, the event will return to the Blacksmiths Workshop at Carriageworks on July 5. 

Organisers promise a relaxed afternoon of wine and food under one roof and the chance "to meet the passionate people behind the labels". 

There will be over 20 wine producers from across New South Wales pouring a range of wines from "familiar favourites to exciting new releases and some undiscovered gems".

The full line-up of wineries will be announced later this month, but tickets are on sale now.

Potential imbibers can also pre-purchase tasting cups to enjoy fast-track entry on the day as well as going into a draw to wine a mixed dozen case of wine. 

The first 300 tickets purchased will also receive a free NSW Wine tote bag. 

The Sunday event will run from 11am-5pm. 

You can book here: https://events.humanitix.com/winter-cellar-door?c=nswwine

Sydney Opera House under fire for French wine deal

Sydney Opera House has found itself at the centre of a storm after signing a three-year promotional deal with Champagne House Pommery.

The taxpayer-funded venue has been criticised by a peak wine industry body for choosing to promote Champagne while local grape growers face oversupply crisis.

The NSW Wine industry has condemned the deal, calling it an insult to struggling local winemakers and grape growers at a time when the industry is facing its most challenging period in decades.

"The three-year partnership sees one of Australia's most iconic NSW Government supported venues turn its back on world-class NSW sparkling wine producers in favour of imported French Champagne," NSW Wine said in a media statement.

"The decision comes as NSW grape growers grapple with severe oversupply, with many pulling out vines and struggling to find markets for their fruit," NSW Wine president Mark Bourne said

"The partnership represents a missed opportunity to provide vital market access to local producers who are fighting for survival.

"While NSW grape growers face oversupply and struggle to find markets for their fruit, the Sydney Opera House - funded by NSW taxpayers - has chosen to import French Champagne instead of supporting our world-class local sparkling wine producers.

"This is an insult to the hundreds of families across our wine regions doing it tough, and it's a betrayal of the principle that NSW taxpayer-supported institutions should champion NSW businesses.

"NSW has sparkling wine producers from the Hunter Valley to Orange, the Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba to the Riverina, yet our own state institution has turned its back on them. Our winemakers don't need sympathy - they need customers, and our most iconic venue should be leading the way, not abandoning them when they need support most.

"The partnership creates the bizarre situation where international tourists visiting one of Australia's most recognisable landmarks will be served French Champagne while local producers struggle to survive."

Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said she was "delighted with the new partnership" - a statement that has been met with anger by a local industry facing unprecedented challenges.

"While Applejack Hospitality's recent takeover of the Opera Bar has been a welcome return to showcasing local wines, this decision by the Sydney Opera House Trust undermines those efforts and demonstrates an outdated view of what taxpayer-supported venues should be doing to support local business," NSW Wine said

The decision follows the Art Gallery of NSW's partnership with Tasmanian producer House of Arras, raising serious questions about whether NSW's premier cultural institutions are committed to supporting the state's wine industry, the statement said.

"As we all strive to build more sustainable businesses, it's staggering that the Sydney Opera House feels proud and compelled to import sparkling wine from the other side of the world when it could be supporting businesses from any of our 16 wine regions," Bourne said.

"Taxpayer supported institutions have a responsibility to lead by example. This decision sends a terrible message not just to our industry, but to every NSW business that expects state venues to support local enterprise when it matters most.

"NSW Wine is calling on the Sydney Opera House Trust to reconsider its decision and demonstrate genuine commitment to supporting local producers during this challenging time for the industry."

* NSW Wine represents wine producers across the state's 16 wine regions, advocating for the industry and promoting NSW wines domestically and internationally.

NSW wine industry slams lack of support from state government

The New South Wales wine industry has long complained about a lack of support from local restaurants and government agencies.

Despite there being a wide variety of wine styles available from within the state; from regions ranging from the Hunter Valley to Orange, the Hilltops to Tumbarumba, NSW wines are often noticeably absent from local lists.

Earlier this week, NSW Wine Executive Officer Matthew Jessop and board member Geoff Krieger, the Brokenwood CEO, fronted an inquiry into the "procurement practices of NSW government agencies and its impact on the social development of the people of NSW".

Through its own procurement, whether that is at government-owned, operated or leased venues or at sponsored events, the NSW Government continues to buy more international and interstate wine than it does local wine, NSW Wine said in a statement.

It said: "Currently, NSW taxpayer-funded venues and money does more to support interstate and international wine producers than it does our own local businesses and regional communities.

"That is why in the lead-up to the 2023 NSW state election, NSW Wine sought a commitment from all parties to establish a 'NSW First' wine procurement policy targeting 100% NSW wine in all NSW Government-owned, leased and tendered venues, plus events sponsored using NSW taxpayers' money.

NSW Wine president Mark Bourne said: "The industry believes this is an opportunity for the NSW Government to show leadership to the whole of NSW.

"Our state produces world-class wines that deserve to be showcased at every government-affiliated event and venue. By implementing a 'Buy NSW' policy we can boost our local economy, support regional communities, and proudly present the best of NSW to visitors and residents alike."

Since the last election NSW Wine has been advocating to all levels of government and calling on the Minns Labor Government to support a 'NSW First' procurement policy that would see all government-owned venues and events connected to the NSW Government prioritise its own businesses first.

It says: "This government has so far failed to take any meaningful steps to establish a policy despite it having nil effects on the states budget and overwhelming positive effects for NSW businesses and the economy.

"Across venues, events and where it provides sponsorship and support, the NSW Government has significant buying power. Not only could the NSW Government, directly and indirectly, become one of the NSW wine industry's biggest customers, it could, and should, be our biggest supporter shining a light on our world-class producers and 16 unique wine regions.

"International or domestic visitors to Sydney should not sit at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House drinking a glass of imported Italian Prosecco when they could be drinking award-winning local sparkling from Orange, Tumbarumba or the Southern Highlands."

An exception is the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, which has a 100% NSW wine policy.

"The inquiry gave NSW Wine another opportunity to have this policy put on record and compel the government to finally act and do what is best for NSW, best for our regions and best for the NSW wine industry," the group said in a statement.

Meet an ultra-micro producer with just one wine

TThere are boutique wine producers. There are micro producers and ultra-micro wine producers. 

Sons & Brothers Vineyard, maker of the Cabernet of Millthorpe in the Central West of New South Wales, are very much in the final category. 

Hands-on couple Christopher and Kathryn Bourke have been growing grapes at their two-hectare vineyard in the Orange wine region since 1981.

They have just one current release: a 2013 Cabernet blend that retails for $50. 

The couple deliberately release their wines after around a decade in bottke, believing they are at their best from 10-15 years of age. 

"Our Cabernet is exceptionally long lived," says Christopher, "and this is due on part to our unusual closure. This consists of a stainless steel crown cap that is placed over a a tin screw cap wad, which produces a very robust and reliable closure with an indefinite cellaring life".

The Cabernet of Millthorpe is a single vineyard wine, a bottle-aged, medium-bodied blend with a small amount of tempranillo and savagnin blended with the dominant cabernet to add textural interest. 

The couple describes the climate at Millthorpe as being like that of Beaujolais, in France, also known for its nimble, lighter-bodied reds.

So what does it taste like at 11 years of age? It is a very smooth and silky number, with intense flavours but lovely balance, making it very food friendly. 

The cool growing conditions mean the Bourkes ferment the fruit on skins for 28 days in open-topped vessels and use just a tad of  French oak (only 5-15% new) to allow the wine to be fruit forward and reflect its terroir.

The wine is only made in good years, hence there were no releases in 2011 or 2012.

This is extremely interesting and about as Burgundian as cabernet can get. 

The wine can be tried at at Ferment (The Orange Wine Centre), 87 Hill Street Orange. Ferment is open from Monday to Saturday between 11am and 8pm. Chris Bourke is at Ferment most Saturdays.

For more details see www.sonsandbrothers.com.au