Much-loved Australian wine industry veteran dies

Mick Morris, a much-loved veteran winemaker and and one of the Australian wine industry's most respected figures, has died, his family reported today.

Mick (Charles Henry) Morris OAM, was 98.

Over a lifetime dedicated to his craft, he made an enduring contribution to the evolution and success of the Australian wine industry.

Mick Morris started his first official vintage as winemaker in 1953, quickly becoming a pioneer of durif (petite sirah)  as a table wine varietal, and was known for his world-class fortified wines.

His influence extended far beyond Rutherglen, where Morris Wines is based, helping shape Australian wine's reputation both at home and around the world.

"For all his achievements and honours, what those who knew Mick will remember most was the man himself," his son David and grandson Madden said in a media release.

"Mick was a fine, humble, immensely talented and extraordinarily generous person.

"He shared his knowledge freely, encouraged countless people throughout their careers, and remained deeply committed to his family, community and industry. His legacy will live on not only through the wines he helped create and the industry he helped shape, but through the many lives he touched along the way."

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, September 1. 

A wine region hotel where old meets new

Rutherglen is a small town in north-east Victoria that draws wine lovers from around Australia to sample its bold reds and legendary fortifieds.

When I lasted visited - a few year ago now - the Victoria Hotel was just another old pub on the main street.

Built in 1868, it had history on its side, but looked in need of some care and attention. 

The Victoria began as a modest wooden building before being transformed into a two-storey brick landmark by the magnificently named Shadrack Platts Gollings in 1893.

With its heritage features -including Rutherglen’s original mortuary tucked just beyond the carriage gates - The Victoria proudly holds Victoria’s longest continually operating hotel licence.

In 2021, Kate and Matt Halpin became the custodians of this historic landmark.

The couple returned to their regional origins, adopting the philosophy of "city style meets country soul."

Their vision was to honour The Victoria’s heritage while transforming it into a modern destination that celebrates connection, community, and the spirit of the High Country.

Boy, have they succeeded.



After a multi-million-dollar restoration, they have managed to preserve the hotel’s historic character while introducing contemporary comforts. So much so that last year The Victoria was named ‘Best Redeveloped Hotel in Victoria’ by the Australian Hotels Association.

When I stayed last month in one of the 14 impressive and spacious suites, the popular restaurant (open seven days for lunch and dinner) offering award-winning regional cuisine was jumping, even on a chilly midweek night.

So think elevated, flame-focused dining right on the main street (make sure to try the Pillow bread and the croquettes) just a short drive from cellar doors including my hosts at Morris, All Saints, Campbells, Stanton and Killen, Scion, Pfeiffer and other desirable destinations.

The main street is home to Thousand Pound wine bar, boutiques, cafés and the legendary Parker Pies shop.



For anyone arriving late, or checking out early, there is keyless experience with contactless check-in. The technology works!

The suites feature air-conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV, Hunter Lab bathroom amenities, good sized fluffy towels, tea and coffee-making facilities, a phone charger that works, free high-speed wifi, a bar fridge, off-street guest parking and bath robes and slippers.

There is a lively bar, the restaurant and several shared rooms like the clubby The Library.

* Rutherglen is Around 30 minutes drive from the regional hubs of Albury/Wodonga, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga, The Victoria is an ideal base from which to explore surrounding heritage townships like Beechworth, Milawa, Chiltern, Wahgunyah and Corowa. Or venture a little further afield for a day trip to the King Valley, Alpine snowfields or picturesque Bright & Myrtleford, located less than 90 minutes away.

You can book direct at https://www.victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au/ 

# The writer was a guest of Morris of Rutherglen and Casella Family Brands 

Morris family marks 165 years of wine tradition

When you walk into the Morris cellars in Rutherglen you can literally smell the history. 

In Rutherglen, north-east Victoria, the glorious fortified wines produced here hark back to a different time in Australia. Think muscats, topaques and tawny styles refined over the years. 

The Morris family has now been involved for 165 years, making wines and now whiskies. 

The refurbishment of the iconic cellar door and the ushering in of sixth-generation chief winemaker Madden Morris continue the family tradition.

Back in 1859, George Francis Morris established a small vineyard and winery outside Rutherglen, with a trial vineyard plot 3km west of the current Morris location. 

By 1885, plantings had grown to over 600 acres, making Morris the largest wine producer in the southern hemisphere at that time. 

In 1897, Charles Hughes Morris, son of George, established a new vineyard, the Mia Mia Vineyard, where the winery and distillery stand today. 

To secure the property, Charles was reluctantly forced to sell the family’s beloved prize-winning racehorse, Fairfield. It is an image of Fairfield that adorns the Morris logo today. 

Local legend Mick Morris commenced his first official vintage as winemaker in 1953, quickly becoming a pioneer of durif as a table wine varietal. 

Mick’s son, David Morris, became the fifth-generation winemaker in 1993 and his son Madden (below) is now in charge of winemaking. 

Morris of Rutherglen, now part of Casella Family Brands, has grown to become one of the most acclaimed fortified, and now whisky, producers in the world. 

An experiment to revive the original 1930s dormant copper still in 2016 saw the creation of a premium single malt whisky. Today, flavours come from finishing in casks which have held a selection of award-winning Morris fortified wines. 

Madden Morris grew up walking around the cellars, learning directly from his father, David Morris, and grandfather, Mick Morris. 

“It is a fantastic achievement to be able to celebrate 165 years of Morris winemaking,” Madden Morris said. "And we look forward to continuing the guardianship of Morris winemaking going forward into future  years.”

For more info see www.morrisofrutherglen.com.

Barrels of fun: a new wine tasting experience in Rutherglen

 

Stanton & Killeen, a family owned winery that produces outstanding fortified wines, has opened a new speakeasy-style tasting space at its winery in Rutherglen, north-east Victoria.

The wine maker has transformed part of its century-old cellar into a cosy space surrounded by muscat barrels that is now open for group experiences and private hire.

The area is a new addition following a renovation of the old winery space.

Guests are able to step back in time and experience a 'Mystery of Muscat' tasting surrounded by old old oak barrels, or can book the space for friends or family groups.

The space is available for a minimum of four and maximum of 30 guests for a three-hour private experience featuring premium wines and gourmet provisions.

This is part of Stanton & Killeen's membership of Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia.

The producer has a history stretching back seven generations and almost 150 years.

See https://www.stantonandkilleen.com.au/

Changes ringing out at All Saints

It is all change at All Saints, the family-owned Rutherglen region wine institution. 

The Brown family announced this week that the new cellar door in the family's heritage-listed castle has been unveiled with a new range of tasting experiences on offer. 

The revamped facility features a large wrap-around bar with three premium tasting experiences on offer.

A new retail area with interactive displays shares stories of the family, winemaking and viticulture, while new release and back vintage wines are available for purchase. 

"Our winemaking philosophy is all about making the most of our unique place – the soil, the Murray River, the climate, and the fruit - to create handcrafted wines that truly reflect where they were produced," the Brown family say. 

Three premium tasting experiences are on offer for a fee. 

Estate Tasting: a choice of five wines for $15. The Estate range features classic varieties including a few fortified options.

Family Cellar Tasting; a choice of five wines for $45 from the Family Cellar and Limited Release ranges. 

Muscat Experience: Taste from Rutherglen to Rare classifications for $60. 

Not cheap then, but the good news is that for All Saints wine club members, estate and cellar tastings are complimentary. 

For more info see https://www.allsaintswine.com.au/ 

Discover a special collection of aged wines

Calling all lovers of aged wines. 

All Saints Estate in north-east Victoria is set to offer some of its most precious back vintages from the Family Cellar this June, with its inaugural Museum Release. 

Registrations to purchase the Museum Release are now open on allsaintswine.com.au/museum.

The first edition of the Museum Release features 25 back vintages which can either be purchased individually or as part of a curated pack. 

Selected by winemaker Nick Brown, the wines have been selected based on their rarity and point of maturity. 

“Rutherglen is arguably Australia’s most historic wine region" Brown says. "Our family cellar reflects this history with old-vine wines cared for over the last three decades.

“Optimal storage conditions have allowed the wines to be perfectly aged, and wine enthusiasts will be able to enjoy these treasured vintages at their peak, without needing to cellar themselves. 

"We look forward to sharing this collection with those who are as passionate about wine as we are.”

The selection includes nine vintages of the Family Cellar (black label) range, including the 2004 All Saints Estate Family Cellar Shiraz and the 2007 All Saints Estate Family Cellar Marsanne; limited releases of Alias II (an unusual shiraz muscadelle blend) and Pierre, a Bordeaux-inspired blend named after the Brown’s late father, Peter. 

The curated packs (two, four or six bottles) showcase either variety or vintage; with Nick Brown selecting 2008 and 2013 as the best vintages from this collection.

The Family Cellar was launched by the Browns in 2003 to build a library for the next generation of wine connoisseurs. The wines have been aged in an architecturally designed and self-cooling underground cellar.

For more information, visit allsaintswine.com.au.

Rutherglen readies for a tourism revival

Rutherglen is a small. laidback town in north-east Victoria that's known around the world for the quality of its fortified wines. 

The local tourism authority goes so far as to say it is a "buzzing, chic and contemporary getaway destination".

What is not in doubt is that Rutherglen has been given a zhuzh as it readies to emerge from the Covid-19 tourism cocoon.

 

There’s a brand new website offering visitors a new way to explore the region with a selection of tailor-made itineraries. 

For some ideas, check out explorerutherglen.com.au and then take a quick six-question quiz which generates a suggested bespoke itinerary. 

The new site is also a great place to get to know the people behind the wines of Rutherglen. Some of these Faces of Wine trace their lineage six or more generations back to the 1860s when pioneering grape growers first planted. 

It’s also the place to discover a bunch of very new arrivals in the region, including:

●      Grace, a brand new restaurant/deli/bar now open for breakfast, lunch, aperitifs and dinner from the team behind Milkin’ Kitchen  gourmet caterers.

●      Much-loved local foodie institution, The Pickled Sisters, now at a new Main Street location with chef Stewart Gilchrist still at the helm and now offering dinner Friday and Saturday nights as well as all-day brunch and lunch menu Thursday to Sunday

●      New at Cofield Wines (former home of The Pickled Sisters) is Footsteps, a cafe and restaurant highlighting fresh locally sourced produce to match the estate-grown wines. 

●      The Pavilion, overlooking the century-old Calliope vines at Buller Estate, for a long and leisurely winery lunch or a cellar door graze

●      The beautifully restored historic landmark, The Convent, now available for group accommodation.

Other accommodation options include historic Mount Ophir and a tiny house in the vines at Jones Winery. 

# Images: Rowly Milhinch at Scion Wines and Mount Ophir.

New Australian shiraz makes its debut at $500 a bottle

Siblings Nick, Angela and Eliza Brown of All Saints wine fame will this month release a special wine from their historic Mount Ophir Estate.

The 2019 Mount Ophir Shiraz will be released on Thursday, September 16, with a $500 price tag. 

An historic Rutherglen landmark, Mount Ophir Estate was established in 1891. The estate boasts 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including the Murray River Basin and the Snowy Mountains to the east, and offers a winery experience rich in history much like the grounds it sits on.

Owners of Mount Ophir Estate from 1903, the Burgoyne family, were prominent London wine merchants, who developed the property further by constructing a French provincial tower that was a nod to their heritage, along with a winemaking facility.

At this time, the building was the largest state-of-the-art wine producing complex in the southern hemisphere, and the Burgoyne family envisioned it to become the wine centre of Australia.

Mount Ophir Estate was purchased by siblings Eliza, Angela and Nick Brown in 2016, who set to work restoring the 140-acre estate to its former glory.

The Brown siblings have since transformed the estate to offer premium wines, accommodation, and winery experiences.

They also operate All Saints Estate and Terrace Restaurant, St Leonards Vineyard and Thousand Pound Wine Bar, all Rutherglen region icons.

  
The new shiraz will be available for purchase through registration only at mountophirestate.com.au/shiraz-waitlist.

Winemaker Nick Brown describes the wine as "elegant in style, with a medium-bodied, concentrated palate". It apparently offers red and blackberry characters, and soft but long tannins, with a cellaring recommendation for up to 15 years.

The fruit comes from low-yielding fruit hand picked from a single vineyard spanning just 0.5 hectares and made using traditional techniques.

Following a 12-day fermentation period, the wine was basket pressed, before spending 19 months in three 225-litre French oak barrels.

“We are so proud of the wine we have produced," Nick Brown says. 

"The 2019 Mount Ophir Estate Shiraz demonstrates our commitment to producing high-quality wines and brings together Rutherglen’s regional characteristics in a considered approach towards winemaking.”

Is this the ultimate sweet treat for Easter

Is this the ultimate sweet treat for Easter? 

Morris Wines of Rutherglen have released a special limited-edition pack comprising a bottle of NV George Morris Classic Muscat and six-hand-painted muscat-infused chocolates.

The pack is a collaboration between Morris and fair-trade Sydney chocolatier Jen Lo from Meltdown Artisan in Darlinghurst. 

Each pack comes in an eco-friendly box and contains 500ml of NV Classic Muscat plus chocolates. 

Click here to purchase online.

If you are in regional Victoria this Easter, pop into the Morris cellar door in Rutherglen to stock up.