We start the day at Ginninderry Homestead with a run by the creek that runs through property with our puppy. Charlie loves Ginninderry Homestead. He thinks this is how all dogs live...
We make our way to the gateway of the city of Canberra where Eden Road Wines is located. This has neither the look nor feel of a winery, more a bolt hole for bureaucrats, but fear not, after establishing their brand Eden Road have now purchased some terrior, their first vines behind Clonakilla in what will prove to be the epicentre of Canberra wine.
I had heard the rumblings about this wine. I had seen the very eye-catching label of Eden Road wines but had not yet tasted the fruits of Eden Road’s labour and, upon arrival, we had winemaker Nick Spencer, along with his cheeky Staffordshire Terrier Bruno, ready to introduce us to this rising star in the Australian wine firmament. It was the icing on the cake really. This is why I love the emerging wine regions – there is more chance of meeting the wine maker, and their dogs. You can feel their passion as they describe what it takes. Amazing!
Eden Road - Current Location
Eden Road
The Long Road
2009 Canberra District Shiraz
14% alcohol
Price: $21
From one of the quietest to one of the busiest places in the district - Lerida Estate. This place was heaving. The winery was designed by Glen Mercutt, Australia’s only Pritzker Prize winning architect, so to me this had all the aspects I look for when travelling - architecture, wine, and a beautiful view.
As fabulous as it was for Lerida to be so busy it was a very harried experience in trying to savour some wine. With a wide selection of wines available to taste the stand out of me was their Pinot Noir - the Cullerin and the Josephine from 2008 vintage. Both outstanding, the Cullerin is a little better value for the money. The view across Lake George priceless.
View across Lake George from Lerida Estate
Lerida Estate
2008 Cullerin Pinot Noir
13% alcohol
Price: $35
From Lake George we headed back towards The ACT to Mount Majura, a winery at the foot of, you guessed it, Mount Majura. The wines were amazing - from the Riesling to the Shiraz, beautiful depth of flavour, sophisticated, clean crafted wines. My gripe with this experience was that Mr Nomad and I were seated at a small table where the wine names were printed on a sheet and we place our glasses over the wines we would like to try. Some people like to taste like this. I like to talk to the person behind the counter. I like to learn about their philosophy, what the winery is trying to achieve and what they represent. That is difficult to achieve in this environment. But what the hell, good wine!
Mount Majura
2009 Tempranillo, Shiraz, Graciano (T.S.G.)
14% alcohol
Price $23
Our final winery of the trip is to the Biodynamic Certified Winery Lark Hill. Sue Carpenter, Lark Hill owner and our host for the day was a delight. Sue informed us that she used to be a statistician who studied dingoes (??). When Sue proceeded to examine Charlie's jaw to see if there is dingo in his ancestry (which is what we've been told – he’s a pound puppy after all), it was declared that his jaw was wider like a dingo so it was a possibility. Charlie just sat there like a good dingo.
“Hi, my name’s Charlie”
Having never tried a Gruner Veltliner this was an eye opener, Austrian grape varieties have not crossed my path too often. If you can get a hold of a bottle or two it will be well worth the effort. You will be greeted with tartness and a fine minerality. I look forward to paring it with Thai food - the octopus salad full of chilli, herbs, sweet and sour flavours.
Their Shiraz Viognier sold out months ago and their Merlot is also fine drop.
Lark Hill
2010 Gruner Veltliner
12% alcohol
Price $45
The Canberra District was a surprise and a delight. A beautiful region where the crisp air and the rolling hills meet to create wines of depth, flavour and aroma. Clonakilla is a must for the region but there are many up and coming wines which are worth trying. Murrumbateman looks set to become the epicentre and with a few more great restaurants, cafes and the B&B this could rival the Hunter and Orange for the NSW wine weekend dollar.
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