TarraWarra Estate adds new premium wine experiences

One of my very first gigs as a wine writer was attending the opening of TarraWarra Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley. 

Owners Marc and Eva Besen put on quite a show. 

 

Four decades on, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA) has welcomed TarraWarra as the newest member of its collection of premium Australian wineries.

TarraWarra Estate brings together cool-climate wine, food, art and nature across a 400-hectare property in the heart of one of Australia's most-visited wine regions.

The Besens purchased the property in 1979 and launched four or five years later. 

Today, the estate encompasses 23.9 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, cattle grazing, a kitchen garden, cellar door and restaurant, as well as a spectacular art gallery. 

UWEA executive officer Sarah Myers says TarraWarra Estate's combination of wine, food, art, impressive architecture and landscape makes it a natural addition to the collective.

“What makes TarraWarra special is how seamlessly these elements come together. Visitors can spend time exploring the estate, discovering its wines and food, and engaging with the art, architecture and natural environment in a way that feels distinctly Yarra Valley,” said Myers.

“TarraWarra reflects what we look for in an Ultimate Winery Experience – it goes well beyond wine tasting and gives visitors a deeper connection to the winery, its story and the region."

At the heart of TarraWarra Estate is its striking subterranean cellar door, where visitors can explore wines including chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah, alongside barbera, nebbiolo, pinot noir rosé and a roussanne-viognier-marsanne blend from talented winemaker Sarah Fagan. 

The chef-hatted restaurant is led by head chef Daniel Snooks. 

Two signature experiences will form part of TarraWarra Estate's UWEA offering.

The Vineyard Tour & Tasting ($200 per person) takes guests on a guided tour of the vineyards for an introduction to the estate and its approach to sustainable viticulture, before moving into the barrel hall for a private tasting of chardonnay and pinot noir. 

For a deeper immersion, Land, Vine & Vision ($450 pp) sees guests are welcomed at the cellar door before enjoying a six-course lunch with matched wines at the estate restaurant, followed by a visit to the TarraWarra Museum of Art and the Eva and Marc Besen Centre, where they can view works from the museum's collection that would ordinarily be held in storage. A version including private return transfers from Melbourne is also available for $750 per person.

“We are excited to work with Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia and the wineries it represents, each offering a unique perspective on Australian wine and the regions we call home,” said TarraWarra Estate general manager Samantha Isherwood.

TarraWarra Estate is at 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen. 

The cellar door is open Tuesday to Sunday, with the restaurant open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.

Winemaker Blackburn lands at Latitude 32

Former Brand's Laira, Australian Vintage and Kirrihill winemaker Amy Blackburn has a new post in the Hunter Valley.

Blackburn has joined Latitude 32 Wines as chief winemaker.

"With more than 20 years of experience across some of Australia's leading wineries, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge, fresh ideas and a passion for crafting exceptional wines," the winery said in an email.

"As she joins us to lead our winemaking operations, we're excited for what this next chapter will bring while continuing to honour the Hunter Valley's rich winemaking heritage."

The former Mistletoe property is among Latitude 32's properties, owned by Emma and David White.

Their cellar door is open seven days a week and offers a range of tasting choices including the Sweet & Sparkling Experience, a guided tasting bringing together indulgent sweet treats and vibrant bubbles.

There is also a new dumplings menu with five different dumpling flavours paired with Latitude 32 wines. Think flavours like Alaskan crab, lemongrass beef, Asian vegetable, chicken and mushroom, and sweet apple and cinnamon. 

See https://latitude32wines.com/
 

Combine wine tasting with wildlife spotting

Tasmanian sparkling wine producer House of Arras has added a new experience to its cellar door offerings.

Visitors can now sample a sustainable new way to experience its Wildlife & Vineyard Safari on board a quiet, zero-emissions electric passenger golf cart.

The eco-friendly addition is promoted as allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the northern Tasmanian landscape along the banks of the Pipers River while accessing more of the estate with minimal environmental impact.

Following a guided tasting of some of Australia's most awarded sparkling wines, guests can embark on a two-hour journey through the vineyard, learning about sustainable viticulture and spotting native wildlife including resident platypus, wedge-tailed eagles and bandicoots.

Combining world-class sparkling wine with conservation, wildlife and scenery, the experience aims to offers a deeper connection to the landscape and terroir that define House of Arras.

The offering is part of House of Arras' membership of Ultimate Winery Experiences and costs from $175.

See https://houseofarras.com.au/

Meet a new name on the Yarra Valley wine scene: e'Stellar

There is a new name in the Yarra Valley wine firmament.  

e’Stellar is owned by members of one of Australia’s highest-profile wine families but will operate independently. 

Joe and Cathy Casella, of the Australian winemaking empire Casella Family Brands, began their Yarra journey in 2017 when they purchased Graeme Miller’s historic Dixons Creek site. 

In 2025, they added the neighboring Mandala vineyards, unifying the two properties into a single 40-hectare project named e’Stellar Estate. 

It is a stand alone personal project for the couple, managed completely separately from the corporate Casella Family Brands portfolio. 

The project builds on the legacy of the Henkell family, who first planted the celebrated Mandala site in 1980, and the neighbouring Dixons Creek Estate established by Jimmy Watson Trophy winner Graeme Miller. 

Steering the project is winemaker and GM Martin Siebert, whose background includes vintage work in Burgundy and two decades at top-tier Yarra Valley producers Yarra Yering, Coldstream Hills, and Tokar Estate. 

Siebert found a 15-year-old museum sparkling base, resting on lees, in storage, from the original Graeme Miller days, which has been disgorged and released as the limited e’Stellar Legacy Sparkling ($60). 

While reviewing old records, Siebert unearthed invoices indicating half of that parcel of sparkling wine was quietly resting on lees at the contract facility. Upon requesting a sample bottle to be disgorged for evaluation, Siebert and the team realized they were sitting on a vinous treasure,

There are 11 wines included in the first release, divided across two core tiers ($32 and $45): the e’ Range ($32): chardonnay, pinot noir, rosé, and cabernet syrah and e’Stellar Range ($45): chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, blanc de blancs, and sparkling rosé NV. 

A new cellar door by Q+Co Design Studio is currently under construction for a launch in the coming months, the estate's commercial footprint is already anchored by the property's existing dining establishment: DiVino Ristorante.

Operating under the new e’Stellar banner, the Italian pavilion has called this site home for seven years and welcomes guests from Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner.

The debut 2025 e’Stellar Estate wines are now available online, before the cellar door experiences open to the public in the coming months.

More info at https://www.estellarestate.com.au/.

Camp in your van in a Tasmanian vineyard

Fancy parking your camper van in a Tasmanian vineyard setting for a few days?

Craigie Knowe is the oldest vineyard on the Freycinet Coast and just 40 minutes from the beautiful Freycinet National Park. It is now offering free self-contained camping in the vines.

The family-owned and operated vineyard and cellar door offers the opportunity to sit back and relax while you enjoy a glass of wine, just metres from the vines while enjoying a platter of local Tasmanian produce. 

The surrounding area has magnificent scenery and beaches, seafood and several cellar doors, walks and art galleries.

Camping is strictly for self-contained vans as there are no facilities in the vineyard camp ground.

Craigie Knowe is at 80 Glen Gala Road, Cranbrook, Tasmania, 7190. 

See https://craigieknowe.com.au/vineyard-east-coast-tasmania/

Wine tasting, a stroll and some hairy cows

There is more than just wine to enjoy at the Two Hands winery cellar door in the Barossa, local tourism folk report.

One of the newer experiences in South Australia's wine central is the Kraehe Nature Trail, promoted as a "serene, self-guided walking experience" in Marananga.

The "easy-going" trail starts at cellar door and winds along the Kraehe House Block vineyard, offering views of Seppeltsfield Road palms and the historic Marananga church, with opportunities to also engage with the resident Scottish Highland cattle.

Featuring informative signs on local history and sustainability, along with 250+ new native plants, the family-friendly trail is open during cellar door hours.

The cattle came about because Two Hands proprietor Michael Twelftree has always loved cows and when the opportunity came to have his own, he jumped at the chance.

⁠Brutus was a character in Twelftree's favourite childhood comic, Asterix, and is now the name of a bullish hairy critter.

Records show that Highland cattle are the oldest registered breed in the world and, interestingly, a group of Highland Cattle is not called a herd but a “fold”. The Two Hands fold are free to graze around their large acreage paddock living the high life.

See https://twohandswines.com/pages/brutus-family

Grant Burge Wines kicking goals during Gather Round

Barossa-based Grant Burge Wines takes its Australian Rules football seriously. 

The official wine partner of the AFL and AFLW will be high profile at the South Australian AFL Gather Round this weekend, with activations across Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, including a corporate lunch in the state capital.  

“Gather Round has quickly become one of the most exciting events on the AFL calendar and a fantastic showcase for South Australia," says Sandy Mayo, Chief Marketing Officer for brand owner Vinarchy. 

"As a Barossa Valley producer, it’s a natural fit for Grant Burge Wines to be involved in the celebrations and to welcome visitors to experience the region.”

The Grant Burge's cellar door in the Barossa (above) will be open daily throughout Gather Round from 10:00am to 4:30pm, offering tasting experiences including the Legends of the Vine tasting, which features wines from Grant Burge and fellow Barossa producer St Hugo.

Executive chef Simon Hicks has created an exclusive food pairing for the football festival - a gourmet Meshach pie accompanied by a glass of Grant Burge’s flagship wine, Meshach Shiraz, offering a serious taste of the Barossa. 

Grant Burge Wines will also be present in Lyndoch on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday April 12, when AFL matches are held in the Barossa, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy local wines as part of the match-day atmosphere.

Bookings for cellar door experiences at grantburgewines.com.au

Sign of the times; Gapsted Estate hits the market

It is a sad sign of the times when wine producers in high quality regions go into receivership. 

Gapsted Estate, a respected winery, cellar door, restaurant and events venue in the Alpine Valley wine region in North-East Victoria, is now for sale after receivers took over before Christmas. 

The property is a 24.05 hectare landholding with 8.41 hectares of vines, a winery, cellar door and on-site restaurant. 

The winery is fully operational and processes fruit for several local growers. The agents say it is capable of processing up to 11,500 tonnes of grapes per annum and has wine storage capacity of 8.2 million litres.

Other facilities include a large warehouse and distribution facility, administration building, production and laboratory building, tastings room, barrel shed and staff amenities.

The vineyard combines popular varieties like chardonnay with emerging grape varieties including saperavi, tempranillo and petit manseng. 

I've tried the wines sporadically and they have been of high quality. 

Gapsted is close to tourism drawcards including Myrtleford, Beechworth and Bright. 

Gapsted Estate is being offered for sale by Expressions of Interest closing Wednesday, March 18. 

Gapsted, also known as Victorian Alps Wine Company Pty Ltd, was established in 1997 by a group of independent grape growers from the Alpine and King valleys as a contract wine grape processing facility. 

Alpine Valley Vignerons president Stef Antonello told local newspapers that the local wine industry is “absolutely hoping” a buyer for Gapsted Estate can be found, given its pivotal role as a wine grape processor and wine maker within the region.

“Certainly if they closed there would be a lot more grapes that won’t have a home," he said. “We’re absolutely hoping someone buys them as an ongoing concern...it has great potential and just needs investment back into it.”

New gourmet destination on the Bellarine Peninsula

Oakdene is one of the standout wine producers on the Bellarine Peninsula outside Geelong.

Now the Hooley family behind Oakdene is opening a new multi-million dollar wine, art and dining destination later this week.

Quiddity Place, surrounded by vines and olive groves (above), brings together a restaurant (Hidden Frog, led by chef Dwayne Bourke, who has 25+ years of experience), a cellar door and two art galleries.

There will also be boutique vineyard accommodation overlooking Swan Bay.

The sprawling Mannerim property has 60 acres of vines and more than 6,000 olive trees producing Lighthouse Olive Oil.

The family-friendly, non smoking facility features a gift shop, electric vehicle charging point and function spaces. 

Hidden Frog will open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday nights. 

Think small plates like pan-seared scallops with edamame puree and miso butter, or pork belly with maple caramel pears, kohlrabi and radish salad. 

Bigger plates may include baked Roman-style pumpkin gnocchi with tomato sugo, broccolini and gremolata, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder, red pepper jam, zucchini caponata and new potatoes. 

All dishes can be matched with Oakdene wines. 

See https://www.quiddityplace.com.au/

Breezy Marnong Estate offers more than just fine wine

Marnong Estate is a name that should be on the radar of wine lovers. And food lovers. And folk who enjoy a day or two away in the vineyards.

Owner Dino Strano is not a man to do things by halves. 

The builder and developer has already invested heavily - and has big plans in the pipeline for his property at Sunbury, just a hop, skip and jump from Melbourne Airport.

Following on from highly credentialed consultants, talented Alex Beckett leads the winemaking team and Shannon Fullerton is chief viticulturist.

“When Dino embarked on this project, he knew it would be ambitious," Beckett (below) says. "He has always taken the approach of seeking out talented and knowledgeable individuals to ensure that everything is done in the right way.”

There is upmarket villa accommodation - with an 80-room international standard hotel in the planning stage - along with two impressive on-site eateries: Cucina 3064 and the hatted La Vètta. 

Both are Italian accented, appropriate given the Strano family originally came from Sicily.

It is no wonder Marnong has quickly become popular with Melburnian wine and food lovers, as well as proving a busy wedding and function venue. There is bright, breezy and fun ambience here. 

Younger family members are nor forgotten. They can enjoy the gardens and the on-site petting zoo.

One of Marnong's major drawcards is its location. It is situated just 35 minutes north of Melbourne CBD in the heart of the Sunbury wine region. It is just 18km from Tullamarine Airport, and offers views that stretch to the Macedon Ranges.

The 480-hectare estate is also a working farm with Angus and Highland cattle grazing contentedly.

There is an original 19th century homestead along with the cellar door, eateries and function spaces.

Marnong now has close to 32 hectares of vines planted to varieties ranging from cool-climate specialities in chardonnay and pinot noir, to pinot grigio, montepulciano, fiano and sangiovese. The first plantings were in 2016.

On a recent hosted visit I was very impressed not only by the wines made by ex-Briar Ridge winemaker Beckett, but also the food and tourism offerings.

The architecturally designed lodgings offer comfort and tranquillity with studios starting from $279 per night and one-bedroom suites from $324.

Beckett was lured from the Hunter Valley by a $22 million state-of-the-art winery facility that is hugely impressive.

Good news for wine lovers: bottle prices start at a very reasonable $25 for the estate range and $35 for single vineyard wines. More expensive offerings are on the way.

Images: Winsor Dobbin/supplied

# The writer was hosted by Marnong Estate

See www.marnongestate.com.au

New vineyard accommodation in the Geelong wine region

There is a new vineyard getaway in the Geelong wine region with the opening of Vintners Lodge @ Clyde Park. 

   
Vintners Lodge is described as French-inspired accommodation with "the most superb vineyard and valley views in the region". 

The restored century-old house is a stone's throw from the vines and each of the three bedrooms (The Baroque Room, La Rose and The Stag Room) has its own personality. 

The residence is decorated with European antiques and a 120-year-old mirror from Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. 

There are two wood fireplaces inside, the original flooring has been preserved and the outdoor bath and fire pit complete the picture. 

Think complimentary homemade baked goods, orchard fruit and Clyde Park wine on arrival, and the accommodation sleeps up to six (or eight if you use the sofa bed). See https://clydepark.com.au/

Image: Wildheart Photography

There is also a new cellar door in the region with the opening of Blame Mabel (formerly Staughton Vale Vineyard) in the Moorabool Valley. 

Blame Mabel is also a boutique getaway with three cabins (above) and a farmhouse set on 30 acres among the vines on Mount Anakie. Mabel is the resident boxer dog. 

The pet-friendly cellar door is open to the public but if you book to stay on site, you get your own key so you can come and go as you please. 

The cellar door offers Blame Mabel wine as well as other local drops; it has an indoor fireplace, small farm shop, board games and books. https://www.blamemabel.com/

Bimbadgen opens new spirit tasting facility

There is a new tasting experience in the Hunter Valley where spirits are the focus. 

Bimbadgen Estate has announce its new addition: The Night Merchant’s Dark Cellar which is showcasing the Night Merchant Distillery range. 

Located adjacent to the Bimbadgen cellar door, The Night Merchant Dark Cellar invites visitors to explore two different spirit-tasting experiences, each priced at $18 per person:

GINspired: An immersive gin tasting designed for both gin lovers and curious newcomers. Guests will enjoy a selection of handcrafted, small-batch gins, each paired with complementary garnishes and Fever-Tree tonic water. This sensory journey highlights the distinguishing botanicals and flavour profiles behind each gin, offering both discovery and appreciation for this timeless spirit.

V.R.A.: A tasting flight featuring three distinct spirits; vodka, white rum and agave. This experience showcases the each style, allowing guests to compare flavour nuances and production techniques. 

“We’re excited to officially give Night Merchant Distillery a home at The Dark Cellar here at Bimbadgen, and to expand our current offerings,” says cellar door manager Jace Hughes.

“Our team has put a lot of effort into creating great products, designing engaging tasting experiences, and building a space that feels fresh and different from Bimbadgen’s other outlets. This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to bringing even more new experiences to life here at Bimbadgen.”

Tolpuddle's low-profile new release

Here's a semi-secret wine that you won't find on restaurant wine lists or in your local bottle shop. 

Tolpuddle, the hugely successful Tasmanian vineyard that produces world-class chardonnays and pinots, has a new release. 

Co-owner Martin Shaw snuck me a bottle of the new 2024 Loveless Pinot Noir to try. And while it is not under the Tolpuddle label, it is a very impressive Tassie pinot. 

The Tolpuddle team explains: "Since taking over Tolpuddle Vineyard in 2011, we have made a number of improvements, including new plantings. 

"The young vines, of great potential but not yet ready to make it into the Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, were blended with fruit from an excellent site in the Derwent Valley. The result is a bright, fresh, delicious Tasmanian pinot noir.

"The wine is named for George Loveless, leader of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. 

"Loveless served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard.

So now you know.. The wine is only available in six packs for $300 from the Tolpuddle cellar door in the Coal River Valley, or online.

It's a dark wine, not quite as nuanced as Tolpuddle, but with an interesting flavour palette, well integrated oaks and soft tannins. It finishes long and smooth. 

https://www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/store/loveless-pinot-noir-6-pack

Wine, weddings, parties, anything in Western Australia

Take an American and a South African. Drop them in Western Australia and watch them build a thriving wine business and cellar door, a spirits brand and luxury accommodation.

Ampersand Estates, co-owned by friends and business partners Melissa Bell and Corrie Scheepers, offers wine and events in the Pemberton region of south-west Western Australia.

It is home to three spacious luxury accommodation options surrounded by vineyards, native forest and wild kangaroos.

The Homestead sits on the Donnelly River and has five king-sized bedrooms, each with en suites. The Vintner’s Residence is on a hilltop, overlooking the vineyards and surrounding forest – it also boasts five king-sized bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

The Settler’s Cottage is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom configuration, adjacent to the lakeside cellar door.

A private in-house chef is available to cater for gourmets and in-house guests also have a weather guarantee.

From July through September, guests staying at Ampersand Estates will enjoy bottomless Ampersand wine - every time it rains.

There is also a Winter Escape package where guests stay three nights and pay for two.



Bell and Scheepers have reinvigorated the former Donnelly River Winery, the oldest winery in the region.

Ampersand is promoted as a "harmonious convergence of premium wines, luxury accommodation, gourmet culinary delights, unique spirits, and the breath-taking natural beauty of Western Australia". 

The property hosts events and weddings, as well as wine lovers.

The wine range includes chardonnay, syrah, rosé, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc - exported to Singapore - while the Rainfall Distillery produces a range of spirits, specialising in gins and vodkas.

Pemberton is 3.5 hours’ drive south of Perth and 40 minutes east of Margaret River region.

Part of the Southern Forests wine region, the Pemberton region boasts six cellar doors and is the Southern Hemisphere’s black Perigord truffle epicentre - producing up to 85% of the annual harvest.

I haven't tried the wines or the spirits yet - but I will report back.  

See www.ampersandestates.com.au

Premier wine tourism operation hits the market

A leading wine tourism operation in regional Victoria has just hit the market.

Cannibal Creek Vineyards in West Gippsland, just an hour south-east of Melbourne, is being sold by the Hardiker family.

The property includes an award-winning cellar door and restaurant, a fully equipped winery plus a renovated three-bedroom home with a pool.

Sitting on 27.9 hectares, including 4.3 hectares under vine, it is surrounded by its namesake Cannibal Creek, Mount Cannibal and Bunyip State Park.

The vineyard comprises chardonnay and pinot noir vines, along with sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

Kirsten and Patrick Hardiker planted the vines 28 years ago and told GoTR they hope to sell the business in its entirety on a walk-in, walk-out basis, saying the property has become too much for them to manage.

"Pat has had a series of operations over the years: hips, shoulder, back and most recently knees and it has become too much for us," co-owner and manager Kirsten said. "Unfortunately our adult children have pursued different professions. 

"We still love the process of growing grapes and making wine, less so the selling of it. The restaurant (below) and cellar door are well patronised, but it is time for a different, and possibly younger, outfit to take it on."

The property is being sold by Matt Rice from Facey Commercial and Ben Rose, from Castran, who is also a vineyard consultant.

Among the suggested possibilities, subject to council permission, are expanding the size of the vineyard and winery operations, and/or the restaurant and cellar door, as well as extending the opening hours.

There is also the idea of building accommodation on the site and capitalising on its scale and scenery to become a destination for weddings and events.

"This unique lifestyle property provides the opportunity to be creative, social and active in a beautiful environment,” said Rice.

“You can do as little or as much as you choose with options to contract out the winery operation or lease out the restaurant, if running and growing the operation is not your preference.”

Tynong North is on the edge of West Gippsland in the Port Phillip wine region, which is in easy day-trip distance for Melburnians and visitors to Victoria.

For details see https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/acclaimed-vineyard-restaurant-cannibal-creek-for-sale-1387757/

Flying high: Marnong Estate makes a statement

Make a note of the name: Marnong Estate.

First the Victorian red wine producer snapped up talented winemaker Alex Beckett, and now it has released a new collection of premium reds: 2024 single-vineyard expressions of sangiovese, montepulciano, and pinot noir, along with a 2023 single-vineyard shiraz and a more affordable 2024 estate pinot noir.

I've just tasted the 2024 montepulciano and pinot noir, along with the 2023 shiraz, which share a common thread of cool-climate elegance and hints of subtle minerality throughout the range.

You won't find Marnong in one of the major wine regions but it is in one of the oldest; located in Sunbury, just down the road from Melbourne Airport.

It sits 300 metres above sea level and is just 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD. There are 34 hectares under vine, with more planned. 

“Our wines are carefully crafted to capture the essence of the cool climate terroir through a balance of traditional and innovative techniques," former Briar Ridge winemaker Beckett (below) says.

 "The 2024 Single Vineyard collection is a perfect showcase of this - wines with remarkable complexity, refined structure, and a perfect harmony between fruit expression and savoury characters.”

Of the trio I tried, the intense and savoury montepulciano was narrowly my favourite, just edging the spice notes of the shiraz. Both are very good buys, and extremely food friendly.

The prices are: 2024 Single Vineyard Sangiovese $35; 2023 Single Vineyard Shiraz $40, 2024 Single Vineyard Montepulciano $35, 2024 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir $40, 2024 Estate Pinot Noir $25.

Marnong is certainly on my list for my next visit to bleak city. The property, with the original homestead dating back to the 1840s, is a luxury wine and dining destination with accommodation to match.

Visitors can taste at the cellar door, or dine in at one of two Italian restaurants, La Vètta, and Cucina 3064, or enjoy coffee with a view at Caffè Vista.

Marnong Estate holds wine and chocolate tastings at its cellar door - but you'll need a reservation for that. See www.marnongestate.com.au.

Famous wine family unveils new Barossa cellar door

 

The Burge family, famous names in the Barossa wine business, have opened a new cellar door showcasing wines made under their Corryton Burge label.


Located in Krondorf, it boasts a sun-drenched cellar door space offering a range of tasting experiences along with views of the estate's grenache bush vines and the valley floor.

The new site marks a homecoming for Corryton Burge owners the Burge family, consisting of parents Grant, Helen and children Trent, Amelia and Toby as it is located on a property they purchased back in 1978 just across the road from their family home.


“We are thrilled to be welcoming the next chapter of the Corryton Burge story at a space that is so special to us all as a family and is home to cherished memories of my childhood,” says Trent Burge.

The Burge family - which no longer owns the Grant Burge business - is moving from its current location at Underground Barossa.


Sixth-generation Barossans Trent, Amelia, and Toby and their parents are the driving forces behind Corryton Burge.


The new tasting facility offers a Discovery Tasting for $10pp, which showcases six wines across the Kith and Kin ranges, plus its inaugural Sparkling Collection which launched last year.


Guests can also choose to enjoy the Paired Tasting Experience ($20pp) which includes six wines from the Corryton Burge portfolio to taste alongside locally produced snacks.


Group bookings are also available with a dedicated private tasting room which holds up to 15 guests.




“We are thrilled to be welcoming the next chapter of the Corryton Burge story at a space that is so
special to us all as a family and is home to cherished memories of my childhood,” says Trent Burge.


“We want everyone who walks into the Corryton Burge cellar door to feel that instant warmth of our
Burge family hospitality and enjoy everything our space has to offer.”


For over 160 years, generations of the Burge family have worked to build one of the most
recognisable names in the wine industry.


What began as door-to-door fortified wine sales evolved over each generation to see the Burge family now own over 300 hectares of vineyard across the region.

The new Corryton Burge Cellar Door building was first renovated by Helen Burge in 2013-2014 but was then leased out for several years.


Now the building is back in the hands of the Burge family.


“I have worked in the wine industry for many years, but nothing has made me prouder than building
Corryton Burge, which encompasses the passion and dedication of the whole Burge family,” says
Grant Burge.


“To mark the next chapter in the Burge family winemaking legacy at a location that has played a role in our family upbringing just couldn’t be a better fit - it’s great to be home!”


The Corryton Burge portfolio spans red, white, and sparkling wines grown from sites in the Barossa
Valley, Eden Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Tasmania’s Derwent Valley.


“For as long as I can remember I’ve been amongst the vineyards in the Barossa, it’s a special place,
and every wine we craft here at Corryton Burge attempts to reflect that and share it with the
drinker,” says Trent Burge.


“We focus on showcasing only the best parcels of fruit from this exceptional winemaking region, to produce wines with a sense of place.”

The Corryton Burge Cellar Door is located at the corner of Krondorf and Lilyfarm Roads, Krondorf,
South Australia and is open daily from 10am to 5pm except Good Friday, Christmas Day and
Boxing Day.

See www.corrytonburge.com

Discover an autumn special deal in the Hunter Valley

Visiting the Hunter Valley can be eye-wateringly expensive, particularly at weekends.

Which can be frustrating if the main purpose of your visit is to stock up on some wines.

The Lane Retreat, Bimbadgen, has just released an autumn package that is affordable and offers some little extra touches.

The Lane Retreat is set among 15 hectares of secluded vineyard and natural bushlands in the heart of Hunter and is promoted as "a wine country getaway for couples and friends looking to embrace he seasonal beauty of the Hunter and its golden vineyard hues in autumn".

The Autumn Escape package is priced from $287 per night when staying a minimum of two-nights in a premium studio retreat (above).

The package includes breakfast provisions for two people, a wood-fired pizza at Bimbadgen Pizzeria for two, a bottle of Bimbadgen shiraz on arrival, Coco Nib pack of four bon bon chocolates and late check-out to midday.

The deal is valid for stay until May 31 and is subject to availability. Some blackout dates may apply.

The accommodation was developed by property and hospitality group Mulpha Australia in the grounds of Bimbadgen’s 50-year-old vineyards.

Guests also have access to tastings at the Mulpha-owned Emma’s Cottage Vineyard boutique winery nearby.

The Lane Retreat offers 60 chic studio retreats with outdoor decks offering views of the Brokenback Range or Bimbadgen vineyards.

Each studio retreat has king beds, bathroom with double rain head showers and Hunter bathroom amenities, a kitchenette with coffee maker, toaster, microwave and mini bar, and breakfast provisions.

There is a new luxury swimming pool and amenities, along with a store and pantry offering espresso coffee, gourmet cheeses and grazing food options, wines, spirits, and other gourmet goodies.

* Dogs are now welcome to stay in premium studio retreats with their owners at The Lane Retreat.

For an additional $50 per night, guests can now bring their furry friend away with them, with the use of a water bowl during your stay and pet waste bags included in the rate.

Stays must be booked on the Pet friendly Retreat rate at www.thelaneretreat.com.au

Chef back to take the reins at Esca

They say that you can’t go back. But that is exactly what chef Raphael Martinez has done. 

Property and hospitality group Mulpha has appointed Martinez as head chef for Bimbadgen Estate’s flagship restaurant Esca and all related food offerings in the Hunter Valley, including Bimbadgen Wines, Bimbadgen Palmer’s Lane Weddings & Events, Emma’s Cottage and hospitality packages for A Day on The Green Concerts. 

The appointment follows the departure of chef Keira Madeley. 

Martinez first worked at Esca Bimbadgen in 2018 as a chef de partie and has returned to lead the kitchen in 2024, having gained broad experience in the Hunter Valley’s fine dining scene, including at Spicers Guesthouse and Brokenwood Wines.

Mulpha’s General Manager, Hunter Valley Operations, Jordan Rodgers, said: “We are delighted to welcome Raphael back to Bimbadgen Estate, this time as head chef with an expanded brief, having developed impressive culinary and leadership skills over the intervening years.

“In his new role Raphael will also oversee all food offerings across Bimbadgen and its related outlets, working closely with food and beverage manager Caitlin Bremner to ensure a great food experience whatever the venue or event.”

Under the new regime, guests will continue to enjoy modern-Australian cuisine using “fresh, quality ingredients sourced locally and a creative blend of Asian and Italian influences”.

“I’m dedicated to ensuring that every dining experience at Esca Bimbadgen is exceptional, with an emphasis on flavour, technique, and presentation,” said Martinez.

“The Hunter Valley has been my family’s home since 2018 and we enjoy everything about wine country life - the people, the stunning landscapes and the exceptional local wines. 

A new summer menu has been released, which will include Korean-style grilled pork belly with ssamjang butter, baby gem, and wild rice; crispy potato gnocchi with pea puree, pecorino and basil; fresh handmade spanner crab ravioli with sauce verge and caviar; and little Joe flank steak with tarro puree, chimichurri and green beans.

Martinez is passionate about chocolate-based dessert and will introduce them to Esca’s menu soon. 

“We aim to consistently deliver excellence in food and wine, quality and service,” Martinez says. “Not just in our flagship restaurant Esca but also in our wedding and event venue on Palmers Lane, our Bimbadgen cellar door, and our new addition, Emma’s Cottage.”

Kyneton Ridge aims for sustainable excellence

It is always exciting to discover a wine brand with which you are not familiar.

That is the case with Kyneton Ridge, a family operation based in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria.

Andrew and Angela Wood bought Kyneton Ridge from John Boucher and partner Pauline Russell in 2019 and their son Patrick is now the winemaker.

New to the wine business, sustainability and regenerative farming are at the heart of their project.

I enjoyed the range of wines, which had a high-acid liveliness to them across the board.

The Woods famly has added nebbiolo, riesling, more chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc to the original plantings, which are pinot noir dominant, but source their shiraz fruit from Heathcote.

Adopting a regenerative viticulture approach, they say they have improved soil microbiology with compost application, companion planting, and inter-row plantings.

Just 5.5 hectares of the property is vines, with the vast majority have been returned to natural habitat after being farmed.

The Woods have joined Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and are preparing for certification audit.

Son Patrick (pictured above with partner Greta and mother Angela) says he has a sustainability focus, using minimal inputs and adapting to specific site and growing conditions. The wines are bottled on site.

The volcanic soils are are ideal for concentrated, complex, and high-quality wines.

The winery, fermentation hall, and cellar door space is home to the Ridge Café, run by Angela Wood, and the Art Space curated by Jordan Wood.

The facility offers tutored tastings, a sharing menu, and a gallery supporting contemporary artists.

The range includes the Kyneton Ridge NV Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay ($42), 2023 Chardonnay ($38), 2023 Cabernet Rosé ($32), 2023 Skipping Rabbit Pinot Noir ($32), a 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir ($40), a 2022 Cabernet Shiraz ($30) and the 2022 Heathcote Shiraz ($40), as well as an NV Sparkling Shiraz ($40).

My favourites were the Cabernet Shiraz blend, which uses fruit from Baynton, Macedon Ranges, and Colbinabbin, Heathcote. It is a very slurpable take on Aussie claret and extremely good value. 

If you want pinot to drink now, The Skipping Rabbit is a very nifty little wine, fun and varietal and  well priced, too. Its sibling is more of a cellaring prospect.

Outstanding, as well, was the vibrant red-fruited Cabernet Rosé, which we paired with a Med-style lamburger. It proved a delicious combo. A wine best served well chilled but enticing with or without food. 

For more details see www.kynetonridge.com.au