Marble & Grain: Premium Wine Tour Blog
In anticipation of one of the biggest events on our calendar, the Premium Wine Tour, we chatted with Eden Road and Clonakilla wineries, about what our guests can expect from the day, as well as a bit of insider information from behind the scenes of two of the Canberra region's finest wineries.
Clonakilla
What will be some of the highlights of the Premium Wine Tour?
We will give an overview of our vineyards and their history, tour the wine making facilities and barrel storage areas and most importantly, we will taste the current range of our wines.
What factors led to making the Canberra region home for Clonakilla?
A combination of a passion for the land and a love of wine led John Kirk to scout out a place where he could realise his dream of making cool climate wines in the European style that he so enjoyed. It was a pioneering effort that led to the establishment of the Canberra District as we know it today.
James Halliday describes your shiraz Viognier as ‘an icon wine, one of the best in Australia’, an amazing compliment! What do you think has contributed to its success?
The secret is the synergy of landscape and climate. The vines love the mysterious mineral rich red clay that sits on our ancient decomposed volcanic base rock (‘Dacite’ to geology nerds). Add the cool summer nights and our ‘just right’ Canberra autumn and you have perfect conditions for seriously fine wine.
Over the years, have you come across wine regions that have inspired you and your wine making?
The inspiration for our famous Shiraz Viognier came from the great vineyards and wines of the Cote Rotie – part of the Northern Rhone valley in France. Condrieu and Hermitage have also given us wonderful examples of what can be done with Viognier and straight Syrah. Closer to home, we think of Best’s Great Western, Yarra Yerring, and Mount Langi Ghiran, to name just a few.
Do you have a philosophy behind creating the perfect red wine?
At Clonakilla, we strive to capture what is good and true in the landscape and bottle it for people to enjoy. Our goal is to express this place; our land and our climate in every glass of wine we make.
Eden Road
What will be some of the highlights of the Premium Wine Tour?
Tasting of back vintage, unreleased wines and possibly newly crushed grapes in the winery space.
If available a quick word from Celine (Head Wine Maker) about the wine making process and how 2018 vintage is looking.
You acknowledge yourself, that Eden Road is a young and small wine company. What do you think has contributed to your award winning success?
By creating truly unique wine by utilising the great quality fruit from our collective regions.
Using different techniques (Skin contact etc) to create styles that are delicious and different to other wines in the market.
On a ’relentless and passionate search for terroir’, you’ve chosen the outskirts of Canberra, Murrumbateman, as the home for Eden Road. What was it about the Murrumbateman terrior that made it the perfect platform for your winery?
The settlement of Eden Road Wines in the Murrumbateman area was partly because of its reputation for a premium Shiraz and Riesling growing area and partly good fortune to have the ability to acquire a vineyard that dates back to 1972.
Considered a cool climate wine district, the Canberra region is home to some world-class brands. How does the climate contribute to the success of certain varietals?
The Shiraz & Riesling grapes are the region’s most dominate varietals that have brought the Canberra district the greatest fame. A combination of geology, climate and winemaking expertise creates spicy, lean yet impeccably balanced, flavoursome Shiraz and the Riesling from this region showcases a crisp, crunchy style with beautiful acidity & other toasty characters.
Can you tell us more about why you choose to utilise grapes from other vineyards in Gundagai, Tumbarumba and the Hilltops Region?
Our goal is to collaborate closely with the vignerons from these different regions to express the best wines from Australian high country, and utilise these unique flavours to create the vision of Eden Road Wines.
OUR 2018 PREMIUM WINE TOUR EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED OUT, BUT KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR 2019...
