Join me in South Australia & Victoria for vintage 2016

Telling it like it is – an Aussie winemaker’s number-plate

I’m used to being on a piece of elastic between here and Portugal.  It’s such a short hop away. Australia is an altogether different matter, so how excited am I to be back there within six months of my latest trip and during vintage.  The occasion?  Not “cellar-ratting” like last time I was there during vintage, nor on a writing mission or judging.  This time I’ll be leading a tour to South Australia and Victoria for award-winning wine tour operator, Arblaster & Clarke. 

The tour, which runs from February 25 to March 7 2016, involves an action-packed, star-studded week and a half of visits with classic and cutting edge producers alike. We’ll get off the beaten track too – it’ll be a real treat to re-visit Bests Great Western in the Grampians.   It’s home to some of Australia’s oldest vineyards and one of its most characterful cellar doors.

Best’s Great Western cellar door

And naturally,  we’ll be taking full advantage of Australia’s vine to wine/gate to plate locovore culture dining in wine country, indeed at several award winning winery restaurants. Perhaps even partaking of prawns on the barbie at home with Steve Hoff of Heritage – there and again, who knows what Barossa delights he has planned.

Eden Valley’s towering gum trees with some locals

In and amongst (somehow!) there will be time to chill, with free time to do a spot of sight-seeing.  In Adelaide and Melbourne, among the country’s finest wining and dining experiences await.

Say cheese – yes please at Adelaide food market

Here are some of the distinguished names on our hit list:

South Australia

McLaren Vale – home to old vine Grenache

Henschke, Charles Melton, Rockford, St Halletts, Mclean’s Farm, Heritage (the Barossa), The Lane (Adelaide Hills), Tim Adams (Clare Valley), d’Arenberg (McLaren Vale), Balnaves, Hollick (Conawarra).

Victoria

Phil Sexton of Giant Steps in the Sexton vineyard

Best’s Great Western (Grampians), Warrenmang, Dalwhinnie (Pyranees), Jasper Hill (Heathcote), Mitchelton (Nagambie Lakes), Mac Forbes, Innocent Bystander, Giant Steps, Yarrabank/Yering Station, Yeringberg, Seville Estate (Yarra Valley).

What’s not to like?  You can find full details of the itinerary and how to book here.