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/

Vinarchy rings in the changes, including closing Banrock Station

The new Vinarchy global wine business has only been in existence for a few weeks, but major changes are already afoot. 

Among the changes announced this week: 

* The new business will invest $30 million to establish its Rowland Flat winery in the Barossa as a centre of excellence for premium and sparkling winemaking.

* Berri Estates in the Riverland will become Vinarchy’s primary commercial winemaking, packaging, and warehousing hub.

* Winemaking currently undertaken at the St Hallett winery in the Barossa and Hardy’s Tintara winery in McLaren Vale will see production moved to Rowland Flat for the 2026 and 2027 vintages respectively.

* The Banrock Station visitor centre and wetlands will close. 

* The company's global headquarters will be in Adelaide. 

“Adopting this twin-hub structure at Berri Estates and Rowland Flat allows us to consolidate our resources and expertise, strengthening the business and ensuring we remain competitive in the face of ongoing challenges in the global wine market,” said Joe Russo, Vinarchy’s Chief Supply Officer. 

“These important changes represent Vinarchy’s commitment to building a stronger winemaking footprint in South Australia.

“Both St Hallett and Hardys are critical brands for Vinarchy and we recognise the rich local history they have in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. 

@While our winemaking will move, our commitment to quality wines, local sourcing and premium cellar door experiences for these brands do not change.

“These wines will be made with the same grapes from the same regions, by the same winemakers, just at another winery.”

Vinarchy says it is committed to maintaining a compelling and sustainable cellar door footprint by focusing investment behind its primary brand experiences in South Australia: Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo (top image), Hardys, St Hallett, Grant Burge, Katnook Estate and Petaluma.

As part of these plans, Rolf Binder and Banrock Station cellar door and restaurant operations will close, although vineyard and viticulture operations at these sites will be unaffected.

"Vinarchy recognises these changes may create uncertainty for team members and is committed to supporting its people as changes are implemented progressively over the next 12 months," Russo added.

“We are deeply mindful of the impact these changes may have on our people.

“Where roles are affected, we are committed to supporting our teams through redeployment opportunities to other locations in many cases, or, where necessary, redundancy and outplacement support. We will continue to consult closely with our teams over the coming months as we make this transition.”

Vinarchy says it remains committed to its long-standing partnerships with regional suppliers and premium grape growers across the Riverland, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, the Barossa and Coonawarra. 

Looking ahead, the newly appointed CEO of the merger between Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers Danny Celoni said: “I believe Vinarchy is well positioned to play a leading role in the future growth and expansion of the wine category. 

"Our rich heritage, combined with our established brands, capabilities, and unwavering commitment to customer and consumer centricity provides an exceptional platform for driving core category growth, differentiated innovation and value creation.”

Derwent Estate confirms purchase of Tasmanian wine tourism favourite Puddleduck

Puddleduck, one of the most popular wine producers and cellar doors in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, has been purchased by one of the state's leading brands, Derwent Estate. .

Owners Darren and Jackie Brown announced this week that the business would officially be sold; and Derwent Estate's Andrew Hanigan today confirmed the deal has been completed.

Puddleduck will continue to operate as a stand-alone business.

"We are incredibly excited to be taking over the ownership of Puddleduck Vineyard," Hanigan said in a statement to GoTR.

"The brand that Darren and Jackie have built over the last three decades is amazing and unique, and we are humbled to be able to continue this on.

"The synergy between our family business and theirs seemed like a great fit and we are thrilled to be able to work in the world renowned Coal River Valley."

Derwent Estate, based at Granton, is a fifth-generation family farming business operated by the Hanigan family.

“It's a tough thing to do to let you know that after 27 years of growing, making, and sharing wine at Puddleduck Vineyard, that the time has come for some of our family to step away from the business,” Puddleduck said on its Facebook page.

“As of Friday the 9th of May, ownership of Puddleduck Vineyard will transition to new owners.

“The familiar faces of the family namely - Darren, Jackie, Nick and Sue - will be changing to new family faces and they will introduce themselves in the very near future.

“This change marks a significant moment for us personally and professionally, and while it’s not without emotion, it feels like the right time for both Puddleduck and our family.

“Over nearly three decades, we’ve had the privilege of building Puddleduck into what it is today – a family-run vineyard and cellar door in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, where every bottle is grown, made, and sold on-site.

“We’ve always taken pride in offering a warm welcome, quality wines, and (quite) a few duck-related quirks along the way!

“Throughout the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful suppliers, partners, and supporters like you, and we want to express our sincere thanks for being part of our journey.”

Puddleduck is best known for its Bubbleduck sparkling wines and popular cellar door.

  

The perfect side trip from the Gold Coast beaches

 

Summer visitors to the beaches of Queensland's Gold Coast are being urged to take a side trip to the vineyards of the nearby Granite Belt.

Local tourism operators say the Granite Belt Wine Country's combination of cool summer nights, farm-fresh produce and natural beauty offer a contrast to the glitter strip. 

Nestled on the Great Dividing Range, the Granite Belt is emerging as a summer escape for foodies, wine lovers, and nature enthusiasts. 

Under a three-hour drive from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or Byron Bay, the region offers an alternative to the summer heat of the coast.

"Granite Belt Wine Country isn’t just about incredible wine - though we have that in abundance," said Chris Nolan, president of Granite Belt Wine & Tourism. 

"It’s about the cool, fresh nights you won’t find anywhere else in Queensland, paired with seasonal produce, iconic national parks, and cosy accommodation that feels like a home away from home."



The average nightly January temperature drops on average to 4-5 degrees cooler than Brisbane and the Gold Coast. 

For nature enthusiasts, the Granite Belt boasts Girraween National Park, known for its dramatic granite outcrops, wildflowers, and wildlife.

“Summer has been amazing on the Granite Belt, we’ve had an incredible influx of tourists to the region all loving the cooler days and nights, low humidity, as well as seeing the vineyards blooming with life,” said Adam Penberthy, owner of the Ballandean Pub and Dear Vincent Wines.

“The pub has been bustling with out-of-towners coming in for a meal after a day exploring or swimming in our epic water holes, cooling off with a cold beer.

“At the cellar door, we’ve been amazed at how busy the summer season has been. Guests have loved our summer release wines Sunshine and our Pink Fizz Pet Nat, perfect for a long lunch under the shade of the 100-year-old olive tree.”

For more info about planning a Granite Belt getaway visit the Granite Belt Country website here.

Images: Georgie Lillis

Visitors to Tasmania flock to cellar doors

Cool-climate Tasmanian wine is very much in vogue right now - as are visits to Tasmanian cellar doors.

The latest Tasmanian Tourism visitor statistics report show that over 300,000 interstate and international visitors dropped into one of the island state's cellar doors during the year to June 2023.

It is the first time that reported cellar door visitation has exceeded 300,000 people, with this segment of visitors spending 40% more than other visitors to Tasmania and representing 24% of all visitors.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies revealed the new data in releasing the new 2024 Tasmanian Wine Trails publication.

The new guide coincides with two major wine festival weekends coming up with the Open Vineyards weekend in Southern Tasmania running from November 3-5, and the Effervesence sparkling wine festival in the north of the state from November 10-12. See https://www.winesouth.com.au/ and https://effervescencetasmania.com/

“Tasmanian cellar doors continue to attract more interstate and international wine lovers every year," Davies says. "This is the highest number of recorded visitors, reflecting the ever-increasing global demand and interest in our exceptional wines.

“When these high-value visitors travel to Tasmania, they spend time in our regional areas, enjoying our broader hospitality and tourism offerings and everything this amazing island has to offer.

“With exceptional quality but reduced wine availability in 2023 [courtesy of Mother Nature], visiting Tasmania and its cellar doors is the best way for people to experience the depth and diversity of our wines, with some wine producers reserving their most sought-after wines exclusively for cellar door visitors.”

The Tasmanian Wine Trails publication is a free guide to the island’s best wine experiences and complementary activities. It is released as a printed A5 publication, an interactive online version and a condensed A3 map.

The Tasmanian Wine Trails booklet profiles four geographic areas – the North West, Tamar Valley, East Coast and Southern wine trails, with information on key cellar doors and complementary experiences along each trail.

The online version can be accessed at www.winetasmania.com.au/wine-trails, while free copies of the print publication are available at visitor information centres and at cellar doors.

Image: Craigie Knowe Vineyard: Wine Tasmania 

New Adelaide Hills cellar doors unveiled

Visitors to the Adelaide Hills have two new cellar doors to visit as of June.

At Wotton Family Wines, the Wottons have grown top quality cherries and wine grapes for 25 years and have just opened their Wotton Family Wines cellar door.

It is described as "an intimate modern space" (above) and offers wine tastings of four wines with local cheeses. It is open 11am-5pm Friday to Monday at 141 Greenhill Road, Uraidla.

The Wotton family has worked in the region for 150 years and in In 1994 the first wine grapes were planted.

The established wines of Casa Freschi, meanwhile, have until now only been available in restaurants or independent stores.

Their new cellar door is on a former apple orchard, surrounded by 100-year-old chestnut and walnut trees and housed in a vineyard shed converted using recycled materials.

Casa Freschi is a small, artisan, wine producer using organic principles and minimal intervention.

The cellar door is located in the Casa Freschi Altezza vineyard at 159 Ridge Rd Ashton.

It is one of the closest vineyards to Adelaide being only 15km from the CBD.

A range of current and museum wines, dating back to the inaugural Casa Freschi vintage in 1999 will be available to taste and purchase from 11am-5pm Friday to Sunday.

Smiling faces on the Tamar Valley Wine Route

In March, I spent a couple of days in the Tamar Valley wine region. 

I was struck by the number of smiling Tasmanian faces I encountered - and I also made a side trip to Deloraine, where I popped into Red Brick Cider. 

If you happen to find yourself in Tasmania over the Easter Weekend you might want to visit Moore’s Hill, Cabbage Tree Hill, Holm Oak, Holyman or Red Brick Cider. 

For details visit www.tamarvalleywineroute.com.au/

Look at us! South Australia launches a major wine tourism campaign

South Australia’s 18 wine regions will be celebrated with a year-long campaign designed to encourage visitors to raise a glass, buy local and embrace wine festivals across the state.

 The 2021 Year of South Australian Wine campaign – launched by Chester Osborne of d'Arenberg, Justine Henschke of Henschke and Kate Laurie of Deviation Road – aims to drive both sales and visitation to local wineries who have been hit hard by the double blow of bushfires and Covid-19. 

It brings a series of regional cellar door shows, wine-making classes, hands-on experiences, music and food festivals, and gourmet events under one bubble. 

Co-ordinated by the South Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the campaign will include a year of must-see wine events, additional marketing support for wine regions and provide wineries with a toolkit to help grow their businesses. 

Premier Steven Marshall said today that with more than 200 cellar doors located within an hour’s drive of Adelaide, and with limited interstate travel currently on the agenda, now is a perfect time to discover South Australia’s world-class wine regions.  

“South Australia is indisputably Australia’s wine state, producing 50% of all bottled wine and almost 80% of premium wine," he said. "Wine is massive part of our state’s character, is a significant economic and cultural asset, and a major employer. 

“Nearly one quarter of all day-trip visitors undertake an activity that involves visiting a winery, which is great for our regional communities, our primary producers and wineries.  

“Events are recognised to grow visitation and spend, and further contribute to the wine experiences on offer. Our aim is to grow these events, encourage our wine regions to be creative and innovative at their cellar doors and ultimately drive wine tourism, and boost economic spend in SA’s wine regions.” 

Across the state, there are more than 350 cellar doors, with each of the 11 tourism regions home to at least one winery. Tasting Australia, which launches in April, is  expected to add further impetus to the campaign. 

South Australian Wine Industry Association president Nick Waterman said the triple impact of bushfires, Covid-19 and changes to international tariffs mean “the wine regions of South Australia are hurting”.   

“With the prospect of little international travel before the end of 2021 the Year of South Australia Wine initiative is a welcome boost to our SA wine industry,” he said. 

“It will drive people into regions, connect them with wineries, the on-site experiences they offer as well as regional food and tourism businesses.” 

The 2021 Year of South Australian Wine kicks off this weekend with ‘Crush Festival’ in the Adelaide Hills.

For more information on other South Australian events, and to see the full calendar of events, visit southaustralia.com