Cullen Wines celebrates 40 years: Vanya Cullen counts the blessings

And she’s not the only one.  Remember watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Who didn’t wish themselves in Charlie Bucket’s shoes when he opened a chocolate bar and found his golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory?  I felt like Charlie when I received my own golden (or should that be ruby?) ticket to Cullen Wines’ 40^th anniversary celebratory weekend.

Unlike Roald Dahl’s cautionary tale, it was all thrills and no spills at Cullen – the wines were just too good to waste even a drop.  Sublime in fact and, aside from the vertical tastings (30 years of Diana Madeline and a decade each of the Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Mangan Red), they were paired with Cullen Dining’s equally inspirational food, much of which is sourced from the very same biodynamically farmed site as the grapes.  My detailed report of the wines to follow.

After the last loud hurrah, I spoke with Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Vanya Cullen (pictured) about the early days – “a time of passion and energy.”  Also the “journey of awareness” towards today’s “stronger sense of custodianship of the soils for future generations through biodynamics.”  

Click here for my video of the interview.  And click here for my facebook album of pics from the weekend.