26 May 2010

Hello to everyone once again!

I'm late with my autumn newsletter this year, as I've had a few days off in Tasmania checking out the wine industry (good, but we're as good too) and the scenery (well, OK, that's pretty hard to beat). It seemed just as cold here when I returned, and the autumn leaves had nearly all fallen whereas they were still plentiful in Tassie. Nice to be back home though. Our season had been two weeks early this year and we sent it off in style at our Bungawarra Ballies Awards night in April. These coveted awards go to those like the grape-picker who shed the most blood (The Crimson Bandaid Award), to the sales team, and Fashions in the Field to our stylish pickers. You get the picture. Lots of fun and the chance to enhance our story-telling skills (and inventiveness!). It had been a good season, especially for the whites, but the reds seem to have an air of confidence about them too. Easter was a busy weekend for us, with lots of visitors, and it was good to catch up with so many of you, but now that it's behind us it's time for some serious winemaking and bottling etc and a more leisurely pace. You've got to love this time of year!

New Releases ... Only one since the last letter, the 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, which is barrel fermented but shows restrained oak influence. It has lovely creamy secondary characters overlying the fruit, and will be popular with those who cherish that style. The three reds are as previously reported and developing beautifully - I was chuffed to receive a substantial order from Government House for the 2008 Shiraz last week (apparently our Governor, Penny Wensley, had enjoyed it at a dinner party). We still have sufficient stocks of all the 2008 reds to last till December, but the 2007 Cabernet will be gone by then.

I've had to make some difficult decisions about the sweet wines. They are all popular, but because my Gewurztraminer vines can produce only so much fruit each year I am going to have to delete the sweet Traminer from the range and make only the more popular (and less sweet) Gewurztraminer style. Fortunately, the Moscato con brio has been so well received that it will more than adequately replace it. It's such a floral, romantic wine too, while the Gewurz is the perfect accompaniment to SE Asian foods. The Bliss and Festival Red, meanwhile, just go from strength to strength and will perhaps one day finance a red sports car for me (it'll need to be a 4WD, though).

Strange Birds ... Several Granite Belt Wineries have organised an Alternate Wine Trail so that you can sample wines made from the rarer grape varieties. Bungawarra grows Gewurztraminer and Malbec grapes which fit that category, so come and try them. Get a map while you're here to visit the other wineries, or go to www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au then click on Strange Birds. The whole concept has been so very popular, with programs like the ABC's Landline giving us a lot of publicity.

Shakespeare under the Stars ... The decision is taken! After the success of our previous productions, The Stanthorpe Little Theatre group will present Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice here at Bungawarra among the backlit rocks and trees, probably on October 8-10 (but phone or email closer to the event). The plays are always a lot of fun, the weather will be perfect (?) and the setting will make it a magic night. Support for previous productions has been wonderful, with packed out Saturday night performances and good attendances on the Friday and Sunday nights. Come and join us if you're thinking of visiting the Granite Belt in spring. It will be part of our Primavera Festival.

Specials ... Just one this time - the 2009 Foundation Chardonnay is being offered at $120/dozen. It's a lovely wine all year round, crisp with a charred, almost woody finish even though it's an unwooded wine. A reminder too, that Bungawarra Wines are available in Brisbane at Rosalie from The Wine Experience (phone Michael at 3368.1572).

The days are short now, the nights are long and cold and cuddly – “such stuff as dreams are made on” - so perhaps you are thinking of visiting to experience a night around the fire with a glass of red and a dream or two. Call in and see us, sample the restaurants in the area and celebrate our winter. Hope to see you soon.

- Jeff Harden

 

Bungawarra's Wine Tent at the Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Festival, March 2010 (Penny & Tricia in command)

 

Synchronised pouring moment.....