Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands is not yet known for its wineries but winter is the perfect time for a quick trip as it's only an hour and half south out of Sydney. Having had some family embark on a tree change, I am slowly finding little pockets of bliss in my new home away from home.

This weekend I found myself in Exeter. This is not a busy part of the Highlands. While in Bowral it can be hard to find a parking spot, Bundanoon and Exeter are a little more relaxed and slower of pace. 

Our destination is an unassuming cellar door off the main road of Exeter by the name of St Maur. This patch of land started out as a cattle farm, which it still is, but the main attraction is definitely now the wine. The southern highlands produces cool climate wines in particular chardonnay and pinot noirs.

A lone, leafless tree stands sentinel at the cellar door and we quickly make our way inside to escape the bitter winter winds. As we descend into the room, owner and winemaker Nereo welcomes us to his cellar door with all the warmth and charm of his native Italy with smile on face and bottle in hand. Barrels line both walls, old copper pots hang from the ceiling, a bowl of fresh walnuts, and a long central timber table complete the picture. 

Copper pots - not for sale but I asked!

Starting with chardonnay, a new addition to the line up, with a beautiful fresh, crisp flavour and aroma. Light yet still with the slight wooded flavour of being aged in French oak for 9 months, this will definitely work well in Sydney summer with seafood.

2007

St Maur Lot 41

Chardonnay

$12.5% alcohol

Price: $25

We are informed that everything is estate grown, with 16 acres in total under vines. We move through the rosé, pinot noir (2009), cabernet sauvignon, cabernet merlot and lastly the 2004 Pinot Noir. This is amazing. Depth of flavour, earthy, slightly sweet with a truly rich red hue. The tannins stay with you just long enough before your ready for your next sip. This wine is exceptional and only available at the cellar door. Duck is the obvious parring for this wine, add some sweet prunes or grapes, (a meal at Billy Kwong wouldn't go astray!)and I'm one happy lady. With the most expensive bottle being $30 this is excellent value wine. 

Perfect Label

Nereo knows his wine is good. There is no pushy salesman techniques, this wine sells itself. 

2004

St Maur Lot 41

Pinot Noir

12.5% alcohol

Price: $20