Every year I promise myself that I will go away and do some research ..........it is honest it is research !
The problem of course is always time yet Easter always gives those few extra days and this year I was fortunate to have a freind stand in for me for a few days as now of course we have a new junior Sales Assistant and many of you who have called in have met Oskar the German Shepherd Puppy who joined us in late December last year.
I have had my time bringing up 3 year olds but this is an entirely new experience as he is a ' rescued dog ' from the Keyborough Animal Shelter and as a then 11 month old he had received no real training so this is all a fun time - if I suddenly say SIT when you call in I am not expecting you to immediately react....................
Anyway had 6 days in the BV and must report that this vintage is awful so watch out for some price rises to come - suggestion is that there will be no Grange from this year and no HOG ; the former has no interest at any time to me but the latter is a great blow.
Points of real interest to call at :
The Lord Lyndoch and especially the Steak Cave underneath - superb grilled steak and the Cape Grim beef is amazing : good service and made the aquaintance again of The Tait Ball Buster - Bruno continues to make a true BIG red.
The new East West Fusion Restaurant in Tanunda is producing some amazing Asian inspired food and the Belly Pork that I enjoyed is just great and enjoyed with a Dave Franz too.
So strange that most of the retail outlets including the Bakers were all closed for Easter yet Nuri , Tanunda and Angaston were all awash with tourists - as they are designated tourist areas why did they not open ?
Caught up with :
Stephen Black of Small Gully who continues to produce the stunning reds that we are all used to and great to see him now breaking in to Asia and firming in Canada - good vintage for him and all looking great - he is one of the lucky ones
David Franz and great to see a good article by my favourite wine writer Max Allen in the Easter Weekend Australian - do come in to see some new product from Dave and YOU MUST BOOK EARLY for the wine dinner he is to host in July
The Schuberts who as always were so kind to cater for unexpected American Guests that I just arrived with but nothing ever seems to be too much trouble for them ; they provided their entire range of wines and dinner and as usual they are terrific I see that they have a tasting in Melbourne very soon so why not go and buy some of thier wine ?
Sabine Deisen - as you all know this is my favourite wine maker in the BV and she has now released 4 new wines that sould arrive any day but I am still chasing her for my personal preference the Sweetheat but she continues to delay.........c'mon Ms, S !
John & Rosi Russell and so good to see that their ' new ' young Son Freddy is improving ; given his size I may need to alert St. Kilda to a new potential ruckman - we need something at St. Kilda........the Russell vineyards also had a dreadful pick volume
Matt Wenk of Smidge Wines , Houdini and of course the iconic Two Hands - great dinner with Matt at the Lord Lyndoch and only sorry that Trish was at home with a sick child.........we missed you Trish honest.........
Tanunda Cellars continue to be the best Retail Liquor Store in the BV if not in S.A. - even found a Sweetheart there Sabine..........paid retail too !!!!
Linke Butchers in Nuri..........oh the sheer bliss of smoked bacons and hams and still have a few left in my fridge upstairs !
And then finally but never ever to be forgotten : Helen Tulloch. Yes she is a Hunter Valley Tulloch and she not only provided me with the best ever accomodation ( www.maranangacottages.com.au 08 8562 3277 ) but also a few stories about the Hunter Valley and its' once great wines > I am so pleased to hear that her Brother has ' bought back the farm ' and I now intend to re-stock their wines as the ones that Helen opened have made me re-think my attitude to the HV. Sharing some dinners with her was the highlight of the too brief visit. Harry the West Highland Terrier is a very fond memory but you have to read the Poem about feeding him............he knows if you have read it.........wonder if he has eaten all those treats yet ?
Bit of a difference from Harry to Oskar when I returned too !!
But now back to reality yet to have had the chance to not only see old friends again but also find sme new places is always just a treat - please go to the BV when you can and encourage the vignerons to keep on !
Why not come in and see some of the new wines and if you ever need an " intro " to the people in the BV please just ask !
Cheers
Tyson