Sip and soar above Tasmania's east coast

 

So you'd like to splurge on a special experience when visiting Tasmania? 

Devil’s Corner has unveiled Soar and Savour, a one-of-a-kind Tasmanian experience combining a scenic helicopter flight over the Freycinet Peninsula with a premium cellar door tasting on the state’s east coast.

Designed as an intimate small-group experience, Soar and Savour offers visitors a new way to explore Tasmania’s coastal landscapes before returning to Devil’s Corner cellar door for a hosted wine and food experience.

Soar and Savour begins with sparkling wine and oysters at Devil’s Corner before guests board a scenic helicopter flight, taking in aerial views of the Freycinet Peninsula including the Hazards mountain range, deserted beaches and crystal-clear waters.

After the flight, visitors return to Devil’s Corner cellar door to enjoy a premium wine tasting paired with local produce from the recently opened Devil’s Corner Kitchen.

Devil’s Corner senior winemaker Tom Wallace said the new offering responds to growing demand for premium, experience-led travel in Tasmania.

“We’re seeing strong demand for immersive, high-quality visitor experiences along Tasmania’s east coast,” he said.

“Soar and Savour is designed to showcase the best of Devil’s Corner and the surrounding Freycinet region in a way that feels personal, elevated and distinctly Tasmanian.

“With limited numbers per flight, the experience offers an intimate and memorable way for guests to discover this remarkable part of the state.”

The cost is from $635 per person for the 2.5-hour experience, so it is not for everyone. 

Bookings: https://devilscornertasmania.rezdy.com/740576/savour-and-soar-the-ultimate-tasmanian-experience

Images: Jacob McKay 

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 Barossa wine tasting experience unveiled

 

Want a little more than your average wine tasting experience?

St Hugo in the Barossa Valley has just introduced a new offering: From Vine to Vault.

This guided small-group tour, led by a knowledgeable wine host, meanders down the cork tree-lined driveway and through the historic grounds, including the original gravity-fed winery. 

The experience then continues at the St Hugo cellar door with the exclusive Ultimate Tasting.

This curated flight features "standout vintages paired with a thoughtfully prepared small-bite plate" designed to match each win.

The journey concludes in The Vault, where guests enjoy a rare and remarkable taste of history: a 100-year-old tawny, dating back to 1925.

The experience is available Friday-Monday at 10:30am for $115 per person and is part of St Hugo's Ultimate Winery Experiences offering.

See https://www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au/experiences/st-hugo-from-vine-to-vault/  

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

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/

d'Arenberg shines on global tourism stage

It was a huge gamble when family-owned d'Arenberg Wines invested in its attention-seeking Cube from 2003.

But it is a gamble that paid off with the McLaren Vale winery now established as a global tourism icon.

It's been another big week for d'Arenberg and The Cube with a win on Friday night in the category of best tourism attraction at the South Australian Tourism Awards.

Then d’Arenberg was recognised on the global stage in the World’s Best Vineyard Awards for 2024.

It was named #32 in the world and as the #1 vineyard in Australasia.

This year’s win means the d’Arenberg Cube, a multi-level mix of tasting room, wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360degree video room, and many other experiences, will represent South Australia at the National Tourism Awards to be held in Adelaide in early 2025.

Winemaker and d’Arenberg Cube visionary Chester Osborn said: “To be honoured locally and globally is a testament to the dedication of our entire team underscoring not only the quality of our vineyard and visitor experience but also the strength of South Australia as world-class tourism destination.

“It is humbling to see d’Arenberg and McLaren Vale recognised alongside many of the world’s great estates and shows how far we have come as a winery and as a region since my great grandfather purchased the d’Arenberg property in 1912.”

Penfolds accelerates China wine project

Australian wine giant Penfolds has confirmed its plans to establish a vineyard and winery in China, leading Chinese wine news portal Vino Joy is reporting.

The move would mark a significant step in Penfolds' already advanced project in China. But the timeline and location for the project is unclear.

The announcement came on the heels of two China-produced wines launched in collaboration with local partners coming as tariffs on Australian wines in China were recently ended.

This news was confirmed by Treasury Wine Estates, the owner of Penfolds, in reply to a query from Vino Joy News.

“As TWE has spoken about previously, we have ongoing interest in seeking investments in supply assets that support our luxury brands," the company said.

"China remains a highly attractive long-term growth opportunity for Penfolds and will continue to be an area of interest for us.

“While we continued to explore opportunities, we currently have no confirmed plans.”

Regarding the location selection for Penfolds’ winery in China, Jack Wu, general manager of Penfolds China, mentioned Ningxia and Yunnan - regions where Penfolds already collaborates with local wine producers.

He did not specify if this means Penfolds will build wineries in both regions or choose one.

China has become central to Penfolds’ “multi-origin” product strategy.

Penfolds has affordable and high-end Chinese wines, including CWT 521, a very impressive blend of 82% cabernet sauvignon from Shangri-La in Yunnan and 18% marselan from Ningxia.

Small Wonder Wines unveils big plans

Small Wonder, a relative newcomer to the wine scene in Tasmania, is taking big steps. 

The Tamar Valley producer, formerly known as Goaty Hill, has begun construction on an on-site winery at its organic vineyard that will be ready for vintage 2024.

Until now, the Small Wonder wines have been made at a contract facility in Hobart.

The new facility has been driven by a desire to curate their own winemaking story. 

The winery will allow for 100% of the winemaking process to be performed on site, reducing transport costs and emissions, and providing complete control over every aspect of the operation.

In bushland just behind the Small Wonder cellar door, the winery will encompass three buildings. 

Winemaker Andrew Trio says: “We wanted the winery to be a calm and well-organised space, even during the busy peak of harvest when large volumes of grapes are being processed. An efficient layout minimises double handling and allows more time for attention to detail in the wine. 

"It’s exciting to know we will be in the winery for the 2024 vintage. Making our wine on site will provide a deeper understanding of the expression of our fruit and more opportunities to explore techniques to bring our vineyard’s unique qualities to life in the wine.”

Small Wonder CEO Paul McArdle commented that “the winery construction will be the culmination of three years’ detailed consideration and design". 

Using 100% green energy, the winery has been designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. The buildings are being constructed using native spotted gum and steel cladding manufactured and installed by a local company. 

The Small Wonder vineyard consists of twenty hectares of  pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris with an additional four hectares of vines soon to be planted. 

Once complete, the new winery will have the capacity to produce 250 tonnes/16,000 cases of wine each year.

For more info see www.smallwonderwines.com.au

Sweet treats: meet the cellar door with its own patisserie

 

Craigie Knowe was the first vineyard planted on Tasmania’s East Coast – back 1979.

Now it is the first cellar door in the state to have its own on-site patisserie, as is being discovered by visitors to the Great Eastern Wine Week this weekend and next.

Open every day the rustic cellar door is open (Friday-Monday right now), the patisserie offers visitors the chance to combine a tasting of wines - which range from riesling and pinot gris to pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon – with a sweet treat.



Just a few weeks after opening the patisserie, winery co-owner Glenn Travers said the new addition was contributing over 15% of the cellar door's income.

The meringues and macarons, cakes and other treats are created by the talented Xinruo Wang, a pastry chef previously with Daci & Daci in Hobart and Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio and Cafe di Stasio in Melbourne.

She happens to be the partner of Travers’ son – a fortunate piece of synchronicity.



In addition to the patisserie, Craigie Knowe tourism offerings include free wine tastings, a Chocolate and Wine experience, wine and/or food in the vines and vineyard tours.

See https://craigieknowe.com.au/

Stay in the centre of the Hunter Valley wine action

For wine lovers there is a special thrill in staying in a vineyard or on a winemaking property. 

Leading Hunter Valley producer De luliis has just launched the Winemakers House at De luliis: which for the moment is one of the valley's best-kept secrets.

The contemporary four-bedroom house is a split-level residence billed as being ideal for up to seven guests. 

Located on Broke Road at the home of De luliis, Winemakers House has a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, air-con, wifi, Nespresso machine and an outdoor entertaining area with a private barbecue.

Nestled just 30 meters from De Iuliis’ architecturally designed cellar door, guests are free to wander around the winery and taste premium wines. 

The house features four bedrooms comprising one king room with an en-suite bathroom, two king rooms, one king single room (ideal for the snorer in the party) , and two and a half bathrooms. 

Winemakers House at De luliis is pet-friendly, meaning four-legged friends are welcome to join a family getaway.

To celebrate the launch, De luliis is offering a "Book two nights, receive the third night free" deal that includes a premium wine tasting at the De Iuliis cellar door. 

Rates start from $683 per night midweek for a minimum of two nights. 

See www.huntervalleystays.com.au/hunter-valley-accommodation/winemakers-house-at-de-iuliis/184