Adelaide Hills set to sparkle

 

The Adelaide Hills wine region will turn on its sparkling style next month  

The annual Sparkling Springtm festival will run from Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22 for its second edition after a successful start last year. 

The festival will feature tasting events, bites, degustation lunches and live music. 

Participating wineries will include leading sparkling producers including DAOSA, Deviation Road, Lobethal Road, Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard, Golding, Croser, Howard Vineyard, Sidewood, Bird in Hand, The Lane and Nepenthe. 

Alex Trescowthick, president of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region said the event “shines a light on the amazing sparkling wines being made here in the Adelaide Hills.

“Sparkling wine is one of the hidden gems of the Adelaide Hills wine region. Our cool climate provides the perfect growing conditions for sparkling varieties, chardonnay and Pinot noir. The talented Hills’ winemakers use traditional methods to craft some of the country’s most outstanding sparkling wines.

“October is great time to visit the Adelaide Hills. Expect warm sunny weather and picturesque vineyards with swathes of new leaves to signify the start of the growing season. It’s a great time to discover your favourite sparkling to enjoy over the coming festive season.”

Full details at www.adelaidehillwine.com.au 

Take a peek behind the scenes at a sparkling wine specialist

The Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia is a group of wine producers who offer more than just a taste of wine at their cellar doors.

Members offer a range of experiences and tastings designed for serious wine lovers.

Family-owned Printhie Wines in Orange, New South Wales, is the latest addition to its collective.

“We’re delighted to welcome Printhie as our 26th winery member,” says Kate Shilling, Executive Officer, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. “They bring new and exciting winery experiences to our offering, as well as superb cool climate craftsmanship found in their wines and sparkling range.”

Rated at five stars by James Halliday for the past 11 years, Printhie Wines was established in 1996 when the first vines were planted on the Swift family’s property by Jim and Ruth Swift. The winery was added in 2004, changing the dynamic of the business from grape growing to wine production.

Their sons, Ed and Dave, returned home in the early 2000s to manage the winery and vineyard operations. They’ve now forged a reputation for world-class wines that capture the defining element of the Orange wine region - altitude. Each of their four vineyards were chosen with site, aspect and elevation in mind and include the highest vineyard in Orange at 1070 metres.

Printhie Wines makes the méthode traditionnelle Swift sparkling range, considered to be one of Australia’s finest and awarded best bubbles at the NSW Wine Awards for the last three years.

“It’s very much a family affair that focuses on the quality of our cool-climate wines above all else,” says Dave Swift.

The Printhie Sparkling Masterclass offers guests a guided walking tour of the vineyard, providing a rare insight into the process of creating sparkling, hosted by one of the estate’s sparkling specialists, including a private tasting of the Swift sparkling range.

Guests can also explore the estate during an intimate Printhie Picnic, which includes a guided tasting and a picnic hamper filled with delicious sweet and savoury treats. Using a map of the property, guests can select a private place to relax among the vineyards or the heritage apple orchard.

The region of Orange is renowned for producing impeccable wines, with vineyards like Printhie taking advantage of the unique viticulture offered by the high elevations created by the extinct volcano, Mount Canobolas.

“This results in consistently high quality, distinctive wines,” says Dave.

Discover more at www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au