Why Wirra Wirra decided to buy a tiny winery

McLaren Vale winery stalwart Wirra Wirra has taken a major leap into cool-climate red wine territory with the acquisition of renowned Adelaide Hills pinot noir producer Ashton Hills just before Easter.

Ashton Hills was founded by Stephen George in 1982 and built a reputation as one of Australia’s finest proponents of pinot noir, grown on a 3.5-hectare, unirrirgated vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley.

Wirra Wirra managing director Andrew Kay said the purchase was a logical expansion for his winery, which was founded in McLaren Vale back in 1894.

Wirra Wirra boss man Andrew Kay

“We first made white wines from Adelaide Hills fruit back in 2003 when [Wirra Wirra founder] Greg Trott saw the potential of the cool-climate region, but the red wine opportunity has eluded us until now," said Kay. 

"The chance to build upon the legacy of Stephen’s work was too good to pass up and for it to happen not only with his blessing, but also his ongoing contribution, is incredibly satisfying for us.” 

Kay said George had a definite role to play with the brand in the future. “Stephen will continue to reside at his home at the winery and he is keen to mentor our wine-making team in the intricacies of pinot making 'Ashton Hills style', as well as be involved in a hands-on capacity in the vineyard.”

Stephen George said he feels very comfortable handing the reins over to Wirra Wirra.

“I feel a definite rapport with their people and having seen how respectfully and successfully they have managed their business in the wake of Greg Trott’s passing,” he said. 

“I believe the legacy of Ashton Hills is in safe and sensitive hands and in fact I’m looking forward to helping them work through a long list of opportunities that I have compiled over the years, that lack of time and resources have prevented me from undertaking.”

To say Ashton Hills has flown under the radar except for those in the know would be an understatement. The winery does not even have a website. 

Kay said Wirra Wirra would continue to make its own Adelaide Hills range of white wines, but did not rule out an expanded offering under the Ashton Hills label.

Wirra Wirra is independently owned by members of the Trott family and private investors.

Meet the South Africans focusing on Austrian grapes in the Adelaide Hills

Take two South Africans, a vineyard in the Adelaide Hills and a love of Austrian grape varieties and you have a very different tasting offering at Hahndorf Hill. 

The operation here is owned by Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson; Jacobs was once an intensive-care doctor who gave up medicine to become the founder of Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa. 

Larry Jacobs in the vineyard

Dobson is a former journalist and advertising copywriter from Cape Town.

Having built Mulderbosch into an international brand, Jacobs sold the winery and emigrated with his partner to Australia in 1997. 

Today Jacobs oversees all vineyard and winery operations at Hahndorf Hill, while Dobson is responsible for marketing and the cellar door.

Tasting options include the ChocoVino, a chance to pair different wine styles with various chocolates, while vinophiles love to enjoy varieties like gruner veltliner, blaufrankisch and zweigelt in Australia.

“It was our familiarity with blaufrankisch, which has grown at Hahndorf Hill for 20 years, that led us ultimately to its exciting white counterpart - gruner veltliner,” says Jacobs. 

From a first vintage in 2010, Hahndorf Hill's wine labelled “GRU” has developed a formidable reputation and is today made from six different clones. 

There are now three wines made from gruner in the line-up with the addition of GRU2 (a more opulent wine known as the smaragd style by the Austrians) made riper grapes and wild-fermented in French barriques, and a slightly sweeter style labelled White Mischief. 

"Gruner veltliner may be new to Australia, but we believe the Adelaide Hills offers the perfect terroir for this grape," says Jacobs.

But the focus is not entirely on Austria; Hahndorf Hill also produces some of the classic varieties for which the Adelaide Hills wine region is renowned - sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, along with cool-climate shiraz and two rosés, one made from zwiegelt and the other mainly from trollinger.   

Hahndorf Hill Winery, 38 Pains Road, Hahndorf. (08) 8388 7512. www.hahndorfhillswinery.com.au. 

A brilliant - and affordable - hotel in a funky quarter of Buenos Aires

Palermo Hollywood. It probably sounds a little more exotic than it is, just like neighbouring barrio Palermo Soho. 

Both, however, are trendy quarters of Buenos Aires, dotted with steak restaurants, lively bars and cafes. The perfect base, in fact, for anyone visiting the Argentine capital from overseas. 

Working class La Boca may be edgier, bohemian San Telmo may have the cutting-edge eateries, and Recoleta the boulevards and five-star places to stay, but when it comes to easy access to all the attractions of this sprawling 24-hour city then Palermo is probably where you want to be. 

Think arts and crafts markets, parks, leafy streets, and a district that is safe to walk around even late at night. 

Then think the funky Fierro Hotel, a boutique hostelry that has hosted me twice recently with grace and charm - no wonder it is among the top 10 rated hotels in Buenos Aires on TripAdvisor.

So what is it that makes the hotel stand out? For a start there are very helpful multilingual staff on a reception desk that is manned 24 hours a day. 

Then there are the comfortable rooms with excellent beds, well-equipped bathrooms, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and iPod docking station, mini bars and Nespresso coffee machines.

There are comfy couches on which to chill out, as well as work desks with power points

For those who wish to stay connected there is free wifi access throughout the property, and a computer on which guests can work free of charge. Bravo! 

The hotel also has a sauna and a small rooftop swimming pool with sun loungers. 

The on-site UCO restaurant is excellent. 

It is named after one of the hottest new wine districts in the Mendoza region and has a wine list curated by Andres Rosberg, one of Argentina's leading sommeliers; who has also selected a few bottles in each room. 

The hip dining room and courtyard are busy at breakfast, lunch and dinner and Irish-born chef Ed Holloway prepares everything from breads to bacon and smoked trout in-house.

Think dishes like ceviche-style salmon carpaccio with crispy fried plantain and mango salad, or perhaps crispy-skinned suckling pig with roast butternut puree and pickled vegetables, or maybe an 18-hour-cooked shoulder of Patagonian lamb. 

The Fierro is a five-minute walk from the nearest subway station and a 20-minute drive from the city centre and room rates start from around $US149 for single-night stays - excellent value. 

Guests are offered free membership at a gym two blocks away. 

Hotel Fierro, Soler 5862, C1425BYJ, Buenos Aires. +54 11 3220 6800. www.fierrohotel.com. 

# The writer stayed at the Hotel Fierro as a guest of Wines of Argentina


   

Huka Lodge angling to entice lovers of luxury

Huka Lodge, at Lake Taupo in New Zealand, is among the most memorable of luxury experiences. 

The setting is sublime, with suites overlooking the bubbling river and the Huka Falls. 

The service, as you'd expect from the pioneer of New Zealand's luxury lodges, is top-notch, the food from chef Paul Froggatt renowned. Everything is elegant, refined and relaxed.

I've even seen Huka Lodge described as "the finest hotel in the world". 

This year’s autumn-winter program of events includes a series of intimate weekends and signature events featuring leading talents in wine, food, music and design, partnering with luxury lifestyle brands including Rodd & Gunn, Louis Roederer, Range Rover, Aston Martin and World Beauty. 

The program starts with the Rodd & Gunn Weekend, on May 29-30, where guests will engage with Rodd & Gunn’s head designer, a master craftsmen and members of the team, while also travelling between activities in the latest Range Rover Sport and experiencing Sealegs amphibious technology on Lake Taupo. That will be followed by Spanish-style tapas to complement sherry and port tastings from Glengarry Wines. A Winemakers’ Dinner featuring Amisfield wines, will accompany a five-course dinner menu.

The Italian Opera Weekend, on June 20, a huge success last year, will feature a five-course Italian dinner prepared by Sydney superstar chef Stefano Manfredi paired with Central Otago wines from Misha’s Vineyard while guests enjoy a recital performance by the finest emerging talent from the New Zealand Opera School.

The Celebrate the Art of Living Weekend, July 31-August 1, brings together experts in niche fragrances; World Beauty, for his’ and ‘her’ fragrance workshops with leading floral designer Davina Prankerd of Vida Flores, sharing how high fashion influences the direction of her work. Designer Nat Cheshire will share his provocative opinions and thoughts on Auckland, while Aston Martin will bring their glamorous sports cars to admire and test drive, as well as a special guest speaker.

The Louis Roederer Champagne Dinner, on August 29, features the creators of the legendary bling bubbles, Cristal. French-born wine ambassador Ben Longhurst will host a five-course dinner, with young guest chef Ryan Squires from Queensland’s Esquire.

The Big Red Dinner on September 26, features The Family of Twelve, a fraternity of New Zealand’s most prestigious wineries: Kumeu River, Villa Maria Winery, The Millton Vineyard, Craggy Range, Ata Rangi, Palliser Estate, Neudorf Vineyards, Nautilus Estate, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Fromm Winery, Pegasus Bay and Felton Road. 

Wine writer John Hawkesby will make a personal selection of fine red wines from The Family of Twelve, with five matched courses presented during dinner by Huka Lodge’s executive chef Paul Froggatt.

With the exception of the Italian Opera Weekend, all these events are presented with the compliments of Huka Lodge, at no additional cost beyond the normal rate.

For full details see www.hukalodge.co.nz. 

Once-sleepy Tasmania comes alive for winter

It is only a few years ago that Tasmanians tended to hibernate during winter. 

A glass of red wine, a wood fire, and nothing could budge them from their homes. 

Over the last couple of years, however, thanks to events like Dark Mofo and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest, islanders have started to embrace the cold and celebrate their point of difference. 

Visitors to Tasmania this winter might be surprised by the number of events and festivals that are scheduled with 250 musicians and artists involved in Dark Mofo, the world's most recognised visual artist Marina Abramović opening at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and cider-fuelled dress-ups circa the 1500s at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest. 

The winter festivities kicked off with the free 'Party in the Lane' in a little-known laneway in Hobart, Collins Court, on 1 May with a pop-up bar, live street art, music and a special menu curated by MONA's executive sous chef Vince Trim featuring a slow-cooked whole pig and lamb. 

Dark Mofo 2015

Dark Mofo, MONA's winter festival, celebrates ancient and contemporary mythology around the darkest night of the year. The festival opens on June 12 at Dark Park, the new festival HQ at Hobart's harbourside Macquarie Point, with large public artworks like the high-octane Fire Organ by German chemo-acoustic engineer Bastiaan Maris with producer Duckpond. Then there's the epic Wild At Heart road trip - a two-night, ballot only immersive art experience sleepover within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (June 15-17), and finishing with the Nude Solstice Swim on June 22 at the crack  of dawn. Program information and tickets at www.darkmofo.net.au. 

Festival of Voices 

One of winter's hotly anticipated festivals, the Festival of Voices, returns for an 11th year, with an even hotter line-up of international and Australian voices. Held in Hobart from July 3-12, and for the first time in Launceston from July 14-16, the festival allows visitors to enjoy hands-on workshops with world-class conductors, be part of major choir recitals and explore the spoken word, a capella, gospel and cabaret across an eclectic range of venues. This year's festival will kick off with the ever-popular Bonfire & Big Sing at Hobart's Salamanca Place. Tickets available at www.festivalofvoices.com. 

Marina Abramović Exhibition

It has taken performance artist Marina Abramović 17 years to return to Australia. Coinciding with the opening of Dark Mofo, from June 13 to October 5, MONA hosts a major exhibition of showing her early work with Ulay (a German artist Frank Uwe Laysiepen, her lover and collaborative partner from 1976 to 1988), as well as solo works exploring physical and mental limits, and more recent work where the public become the subject. www.mona.net.au.

Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest

What is wassailing? The pagan tradition of awakening the apple trees by banging pots and singing to them by firelight is alive and well during the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest at The Apple Shed. To really get into the action and be in the running for prizes, why not dress up in your best sixteenth-century 'Welsh Morris'-style costume? But if paganism isn't your thing, Friday night has been reserved for feasting - with the best local food, craft ciders, wine and fireside music. From July 17-19. Tickets available at www.huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au.

Devonport Jazz Festival 

From July 23-26 there will be jazz in halls, churches, pubs, clubs, cafes, vineyards, even jazz in a chocolate factory! Now in its 13th year, the Devonport Jazz Festival program features artists from Tasmania and interstate playing everything from gospel to blues.  Tickets from www.devonportjazz.com.  

Tasmanian Pinot Noir Showcase 

A good pinot noir is notoriously hard for winemakers to produce and even harder sometimes for enthusiasts to find. The marriage between Tasmanian terroir and pinot noir grapes is made in heaven, with ideal growing conditions for the moody little fruit. Tasmania's best pinot noir producers join forces for the eighth annual Tasmanian Pinot Noir Showcase, held at Launceston's Pinot Shop on July 25. Bookings at www.pinotshop.com. 

Latrobe Chocolate Winterfest

Latrobe on Tasmania's north-west coast hosts chocaholics on August 9 with tastings, a Community Lantern Parade and lots of hot chocolate. www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au. 

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au.

Hey, hey Aussie Wine Month is here again

May is just around the corner, bringing with it the fourth annual Aussie Wine Month, promoted as "the country's biggest celebration of Australian wine".

In my experience Australians are pretty parochial when it comes to wine. We are are happy to sip on the occasional Chablis, sample a German riesling or an Argentine malbec, but we largely drink domestically. 

That said, we are not as nationalistic about our wine as the French, where until recently it was hard to find many imports, even in Paris, or Argentina, where imported wines are as scarce as intelligent politicians in Canberra.  

Aussie Wine Month, an initiative of Wine Australia, encourages wine drinkers to discover the diversity, quality and regionality of local wines and share their discoveries by including #AussieWineMonth in their social media posts.

Aussie Wine Month events will take place around the country, making it a great time to plan a wine weekend getaway, try a new wine style or explore the wines of some of Australia's lesser known wine regions. With 65 Australian wine regions to choose from, there's plenty for the wine lover to discover right on their doorstep.

There'll be wineries and regions hosting tastings, dinners, winery walks, festivals and pop-up cellar doors while a range of pubs, bars and restaurants will have an all-Australian wine-by-the-glass list for the month of May.

Wine lovers are urged to share their enthusiasm for Aussie wine on social media using the #AussieWineMonth hashtag and could win a dozen bottles of Australian wine valued at more than $400. Visit the Aussie Wine Month site for more details.

A full list of Aussie Wine Month events can be found at www.aussiewinemonth.com.

Wine drinkers can share their wine experiences with friends overseas by including #AussieWineMonth on their social media posts.