Hello to everyone once again!

A late, cold winter is now almost over and the rosellas have donned their mating colours. Nests are being built, song is in the air and the first shoots will appear soon to start the 2009 Vintage. Our Spring Wine Festival Season (now called Primavera ) is upon us so there will be the customary influx of visitors from now till the final event, the Australian Small Winemakers Show (Public Tasting, 25 October) – please see www.asws.com.au . Our own contribution is to be part of an event where entrants can blend their own bottle of red. There are five wineries involved who will contribute the base wine to be blended (under our guidance, and with appropriate heckling!) so that you will be able to share the agonies of decision we have to go through at such times. You will then have a bottle of your blend to take home with you (called “Me and Five Friends”) and, we think, a good time and good memories as well. Phone or email me if you’d like to be a part of the event Blend a Hand on Saturday 4 October, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. The cost is $50 pp and includes a gourmet pie (now that’s value!!)

New Releases... The first of the great 2007 reds is now on sale with the 2007 Paragon (62% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet, 7% Malbec). It's a beautiful young wine, vibrant with spicy/berry character and is being introduced at $240 per doz. Two more 2007 reds will follow the Paragon when they're fully ready. The 2006 Reds are selling well. The 2006 Shiraz and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon have developed into powerful wines that are making their marks in the wine shows too, with the Cabernet having picked up its first Gold Medal at the Qld Wine Awards.

After the popularity of our first Moscato (con brio), I had to make another for 2008. It is a delicate, elegant pink wine with beautiful floral aromas and a touch of sweetness and spritz. Perfect with Mozart, a sunset and romantic notions. Still selling is Bungawarra's Strange Bird (see below), the 2007 Gewurztraminer which is also a beautiful, elegant wine with just a hint of sweetness that is perfect with SE Asian food.

New Labels... We have introduced a new label-series for what I think of as the "fun" wines. It features a colourful, laddish Harlequin figure, who now graces our Moscato, Liqueur Muscat and Festival Red bottles. In the more serious moments you might call him Mr Quin, but Harley when you get to know him. I think you'll like him.

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... After the success of our previous productions, The Stanthorpe Little Theatre group will present Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, here at Bungawarra among the backlit rocks and trees. It will be 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. If you're thinking of visiting the Granite Belt in spring, pencil it in for the weekend of October 12. It will also be part of our Primavera Festival.

Specials... The 2007 Foundation Chardonnay is being offered at $120/dozen as our new special. A lovely wine all year round, crisp and full of citrus/lemon flavours.

A reminder too, that Bungawarra Wines are available in Brisbane at Rosalie from The Wine Experience (phone Michael at 3368.1572) and from Vino's bottleshops (Stewarts Hotels, phone Steven at 3216.4944)

The days are still quite short now, the nights are long and cold and cuddly, so perhaps you are thinking of visiting to experience a night around the fire with a glass of red. Call in and see us, sample the restaurants in the area and celebrate our winter. The Bush is always beautiful.

All the best. Hope to see you soon.

Regards,
Jeff Harden.

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