​This Wine Appreciation outing was actually a Research Project! Were those glowing Facebook reviews of Warrabilla Wines really accurate?  Well, our group, armed with clipboards and learned expressions, in the end had to agree; those reviews were indeed well deserved.

Seated at long, beautifully crafted tables made from slices of polished Red Gum, we were welcomed by the friendly, enthusiastic Cellar Door team of Laura and Deb, who shared their extensive knowledge of wines and winemaking with us while we sampled generous samples of each varietal, all meeting with nods of approval.  Even Keith, nurturing a bandaged hand, was still able to raise the odd glass or two. 

Now for the History and Technical Stuff… A family owned and run affair in Rutherglen, Winemaker and owner, Andrew Sutherland Smith and his wife, Carol, started Warrabilla in 1991.  The Cellar Door was opened at its current site west of Rutherglen five years later.  The Winery prides itself on producing robust reds of distinction, particularly its flagship Durif.   With an annual crush of approximately 150 tons of fruit each year, Warrabilla Wines’ low yielding vines (1.5 to 2 tons per acre) ensure maximum ripening and concentration of colour, flavour and tannin.  Whilst the wines are designed for long term cellaring, they are also well balanced and (fortunately) easy to drink at an early age.  Andrew’s skills as a Winemaker have been recognised many times in Wine Shows around Australia, with a string of trophies and medals to his credit.
​
Now for Lunch…The U3A group was now in a mellow mood and ready for lunch.  The Rogers had chosen the Stonegrill Restaurant in Corowa’s Hotel Australia.  Crossing the Border proved hassle-free and the venue in the Main Street easy to locate (unlike the Winery location for one missing carload!)  The Hotel is historic and the main dining room, with its original stained-glass windows, warm and cosy, but due to group numbers, we had to be seated in a side room.  Most of us were happy with our meal choices from the blackboard Seniors Special options.

Thanks to Keith and Heather, our hard-working convenors, U3A members enjoyed yet another Wine Appreciation outing.

* Next month’s proposed visit:  Morris Winery and Hotel at Glenrowan  Phone Keith & Heather
for information 5762 4086 

Bev Thornell  

Pfeiffer Wines is a family owned and operated winery, located in the Rutherglen Wine District.  Its historic, century-old cellars are nestled the banks of Sunday Creek.  Pfeiffer Wines strives for success in producing quality wine, offering great customer service and promoting the Rutherglen Region as Australia’s premium and most versatile grape growing area.  Father and daughter winemakers, Chris and Wine Award Winner Jen Pfeiffer produce 28 varieties of premium, handcrafted wines, crisp whites, full-bodied reds and the acclaimed Muscats and Topaques. 

Our large, genteel group of 20 was greeted by Sideen, Cellar Door Manager, and then ushered through the cellar doors into the warm and welcoming tasting room, where we perched on stools set around old wine barrels.  As we were keen to learn about and appreciate the wines grown and produced here, we welcomed tastings of each variety, discovering which were our favourites.  Sue, the Wine Club Manager, was on hand to assist and advise.  Purchases were carried back to the cars, to be consumed at leisure.

Food and Wine are a suitable pairing, so a short drive to the Pickled Sisters restaurant at Cofield Winery was an appropriate follow on.  Two long tables accommodated our group, for a long, relaxing a la carte lunch, accompanied by local wines. 

Thanks to Keith and Heather, our hard-working convenors, U3A members enjoyed yet another Wine Appreciation outing.

* Next month’s visit:  To Be Advised. Hopefully, it will be Longleat Winery at Murchison.  To confirm this and book your place, please contact convenors Keith & Heather Rogers 5762 4086 closer to the date.

 Bev Thornell​

​Our last trip on Wednesday 28 April was to Dal Zotto Winery, with lunch at the popular Whitfield Hotel.  The weather was magnificent all day and the drive to Whitfield revealed vegetation in all its resplendent Autumn glory.  The attention we received from Stephanie at Dal Zottos’ was friendly and informative. We were treated to a large range of white and red wines which appealed to most people's palates.  Our meal at the hotel was served outdoors in the delightful garden.

Next Meeting – On Wednesday May 26 we will visit Pfeiffer Wines, located on the large sweeping bend at 167 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah, Victoria.

There will be a tasting fee at Pfeiffers of $10 per head, refundable on purchase of $80 of wine per couple. Please have money ready at the car park.

Lunch will be at The Pickled Sisters attached to Cofield Winery.
​
Meet at the tennis court car park in Barkly Street behind Aldi at 10 am.  Please contact Heather or Keith by Sunday 23rd May to let us know if you will be attending.
                                                                         
Keith and Heather Rogers
​03 5762 4086 or 0429 876 999

We have booked into Dal Zotto’s Winery, Whitfield for our outing on Wednesday, 28th April.

We will leave the tennis court car park in Barkly Street behind Aldi at 10.00 am.  

Please have $5 per head ready at the car park for the winery visit – this is a discounted rate as it is usually $10. 

​Please let us know by Sunday 25th April if you will be attending.  SMS (preferred) or call 0429 876 999.

We will be dining at the Whitfield Hotel.

 Keith & Heather 0429 876 999 or 5762 4086   

​The second Wine Appreciation Day for 2021 took a group of connoisseurs to the Milawa Wine Region. The visit to the picturesque John Gehrig Winery at Oxley allowed everyone to hear about the history of wine making and development of the Gehrig Wineries. The range of white and red wines made at the winery were tasted and their qualities discussed. Wine was purchased for later enjoyment with family and friends. A delicious lunch followed at the Milawa Hotel. Another successful day was enjoyed by all.

​Wendy Sturgess

Late news!  Tomorrow's Wine Appreciation visit will be to Gehrig's Winery, Oxley, followed by lunch at the Milawa Hotel.  Meet at 10 am at the tennis court car park in Barkly Street behind Aldi.

​Heather and Keith

Good news!  Last Wednesday, the U3A Wine Appreciation group met for the first time for 2021. Lake Moodemere Estate in Rutherglen was our destination.  Set in historic gardens overlooking the Billabong and Lake Moodemere, the Winery, planted in 1886, is now home to the sixth generation of the Chambers family.  

Belinda Chambers was our host and her fascinating account of the family history, the importance of the Vineyard's unique terroir and the area's close indigenous links kept us intrigued.  Heritage Homestead itself is full of interesting family photographs and the surrounding gardens have developed over 150 years. Inside the Homestead’s Cellar Door, our group tasted a variety of the Estate Grown white, sparkling and red wines, as Belinda explained the characteristics of each sample.   Obviously quite a few tastings met with the group's approval and so credit cards were given a workout.   

​Keith and Heather had arranged for the group to lunch at Rutherglen's Poachers Paradise Hotel. It is safe to say we all appreciated the day's outing, thanks to the Rogers' organization.

U3A Wine Appreciation will be resuming on Wednesday 24th February.

Our first winery will be Lake Moodamere Winery in Rutherglen.  We will be dining at Tuilleries, also in Rutherglen, hopefully in the courtyard.

The winery will charge everyone who is tasting a $5 fee but if you buy multiple bottles of wine it will be refunded.  Seems to be the way most wineries are going these days.

The meeting place is still at the old High School tennis courts behind Aldi at 10.00am.

We ask that anyone wishing to come has their name in to us by Sun 21st February.

Our phone no is 5762 4086  and email address is scottishflower43@hotmail.com.
​
Keith & Heather Rogers  5762 4086 

We’ve heard ‘around the traps’ that members have resumed happily supporting the local wine industry, with enjoyable visits for long lunches over the Cup Day long weekend to Sam Miranda and Tallis Wines reported on.  If the numbers in groups allowed to gather continue to be increased, it may not be too long before the Wine Appreciation group will be able meet again. 

The criteria explained by Heather and Keith in our June Newsletter for the resumption of group visits to wineries –“when members can enjoy sitting at a restaurant together.  We’re not interested until the situation is back closer to normal.  It might be a couple of months.  We’re not interested in social distancing when we are meeting to have a social occasion.”  
​
The situation is gradually moving ‘back closer to normal’.   Fingers crossed.  

​Media Team

Reading through the newsletter while adding reports to the website, I noticed Film as Literature and Let’s Talk Books class members have shared news of films they have been viewing and books they have been reading while in social isolation.  With no report of planned visits in the newsletter for Wine Appreciation, a somewhat quirky question sprang to mind… “I wonder what Wine Appreciation members have been drinking while in isolation?”!  I decided to make a few calls…

My first call was to Margaret Jenkins… “What do I have in the fridge?   Tarzali Reisling 2019… because I like it!   It’s good to have a bottle in the fridge in case friends call in.  Also, Tarzali is the first winery I visited when I joined Wine Appreciation”. 
 
My next call was to Wendy Sturgess, “What do I have in fridge?  Point Leo Estate Pinot Grigio.  I tasted, enjoyed and bought some when I took my sister there just before the lock up.  It’s a beautiful drop.  Hopefully, I can find someone to enjoy it with me”. 

Next, Marg Walshe… “What wine am I currently drinking…?” (…sounds of Margaret going to the fridge)… “Cofield Provincial Parcel, Beechworth Chardonnay, 2015. I was given it by lovely neighbours recently.  It’s rather a nice wine, very smooth, with ‘rich flavours of citrus and apple, a complex texture and a crisp palate’.”
 
Ray O’Shannessy responded, “I’ve been drinking Gapsted Pinot Grigio which I bought at a recent Wine Appreciation visit.  It’s very nice, I’m enjoying it very much.”  

My final call was to Keith and Heather Rodgers, convenors of the Wine Appreciation group.  “What are we drinking with our meal tonight?  Mudgee Creek 2018 Shiraz.  It’s a lovely red, we only drink nice red!  Life’s too short to drink cheap wine (Keith adds in the background ‘and white wine’).  The alcohol content is 14% which is good…that’s 8 standard drinks in bottle.  It’s fairly powerful.” 

I asked Heather about any plans for future group visits to wineries … “We don’t think it’s worth arranging visits until we can enjoy sitting at a restaurant together.  We’re not interested until the situation is back closer to normal.  It might be a couple of months.  We’re not interested in social distancing when we are meeting to have a social occasion.” 

In the meantime, other Wine Appreciation group members are, like Margaret, Wendy, Marg, Ray, Keith and Heather, highly likely to continue appreciating wine while ‘in isolation’.
​
Beverley Lee - with thanks to Margaret, Wendy, Marg, Ray, Keith and Heather for having a chuckle when asked the question!

Editors note - the planned visit to Lake Moodemere Estate fell after corona virus regulations concerning restaurants and non essential businesses were introduced on 23 March.  The trip was therefore cancelled.

"4/3/2020 On Wednesday 25 March we are going to Lake Moodamere Estate in Rutherglen and dining at the Pickled Sisters.  We will leave the tennis court car park behind Aldi as usual at 10.00 am.

Keith and Heather Rogers 5762 4086 " 

​On Wednesday 25th February the U3A Wine Appreciation group revisited the King Valley, this time visiting the Sam Miranda Winery at Oxley. Sam, grandson of Francesco Miranda, purchased the family business in 2004. He expanded the the property by purchasing two local vineyards, and built the modern, underground Cellar Door, with its striking tall, square light tower. We were welcomed into this spacious, light-filled room, by Jan and staff, who were kept busy pouring us samples of a wide variety of excellent white, red and sparkling wines. As the shaded outdoor terrace proved too windy, we dined inside. The menu was extensive, and servings very generous! Keith thanked Sam Miranda and his obliging staff, who contributed to our relaxing experience. Thank you also Keith and Heather Rogers, our convenors. Welcome to Wine Appreciation's four new members: Anne & John and Colin & Yvonne! I'm sure many of us will be making return visits to this Winery.

Bev Thornell

​We have booked into Sam Miranda Winery for our first outing on Wednesday, 26th February.
We will leave the car park at 10.30.     We will be dining at the Winery from an a la carte menu.
​
Convenors:   Keith & Heather Rogers 5762 4086 

On a perfect Spring day in late October, the U3A Wine Appreciation group (minus group organisers the Rogers, who were away) assembled at the wonderfully situated Gapsted Winery near Myrtleford. Our numbers were down, but winemaker Tony was happy to outline the 25-year history, workings and varietals of Gapsted Winery.

The cool climate, long ripening period and high rainfall of the Alpine and King Valley Regions assist in the production of high quality, luscious whites and refined reds, which include some newer Italian varietals. We were happy to taste any on offer and perhaps buy samples. The view from the Cellar Door's expansive dining veranda, overlooking the vineyard across to the distant hills, was so picturesque, we were reluctant to leave.

​Lunch at the nearby Savoy Club in Myrtleford completed a sociable day for us all. Next month, the U3A Christmas break-up replaces our normal Wine Appreciation outing. Our Christmas luncheon will be held at the Goorambat Railway Hotel on Wednesday November 27th.   Lunch & Bus $40 - Lunch only $35.  A form is included with this newsletter.  For further information or to RSVP, contact Heather Rodgers 5762 4086.

​Bev Thornell

​Thanks to duo Heather and Keith Rogers, we enjoyed another day out.

​Bev Thornell

Coming up on Wednesday 23rd October - Gapsted Winery, near Myrtleford; lunch at a local hotel.    Meet at the carpark behind Aldi at 10.00am as usual. Please contact either Heather or Keith Rogers on 7562 4806 no later than Sunday prior to the activity for catering numbers to be finalised

The U3A Wine Appreciation group met at Myrtleford's Michelini Wines, in the Alpine Valley wine region. Four generations of Michelini, beginning with newly arrived migrant Eno, from Italy's Trentino region, have crafted a variety of cool climate red, white, and sparkling wines, including new Italian varietals, from extensive vines in the Buckland Valley. We were warmly welcomed inside the Cellar Door and offered wines to taste, plus an outline of the long history of Michelini Wines. Once outside, winemaker Matt pointed out the machinery and storage vats used in wine production, followed by a glimpse of the tiny lab room and its instrumentation. It was a happy and relaxed group who decamped to the nearby Cafe Fez, with its iconic, colourful Moroccan decor. An extensive Middle Eastern menu offered us a multitude of mouth-watering watering choices. Unfortunately, there was little time afterwards to browse the vast array of handicrafts and furniture in the rear showroom. Full marks to Heather and Keith, for today's choice of venues

Bev Thornell

Coming up on Wednesday 25 September - Anderson's Winery, Rutherglen, followed by lunch at a pub in Chiltern.   Meet at the usual time of 10 am at the car park behind Aldi.  Please contact Keith and Heather by the Sunday beforehand to assist with catering bookings.  Keith & Heather Rogers 5762 4086

In late July the U3A Wine Appreciation Group visited Jones Winery & Vineyard in Rutherglen. Whilst perhaps not as well-known as other local Wineries, nevertheless this Winery was first acquired in 1927, and subsequently managed by six generations of the Jones family. Now, manager Arthur and his winemaker sister, Mandy, create superb French style wines, red and white, and several fortified, all made from their vines planted more than 112 years ago.

Our group was welcomed into the charming, heritage listed Wine Cellar Door by our host Laura, who was kept on her toes offering wine tastings, whilst sharing information on the winery. We were charmed by the rustic Cellar Door and its Dining Area. Equally charming was the whimsical and imaginative Garden Art on display outside. The adjacent Gallery housed more of local Helen Hay's work.

Our group was treated to another example of local historic buildings, as we lunched at the iconic Poachers Paradise Hotel. Enjoying the ambience, great food, charming and efficient service in this historic Hotel, topped off an enjoyable day out. 

​Heather and Keith - you had researched and planned this day for us to enjoy. Thank you so much!

Bev Thornell

​In late June the U3A Wine Appreciation group met at Indigo Vineyard, located at Everton Upper, on a perfect winter's day. This Vineyard, which James Halliday has rated a 5-star winery, has 46 hectares planted to 11 different varieties of grapes. Settled into the cosy wine tasting veranda, host Alan explain that the Vineyard has two different labels, Blue and Red. Grapes are sourced from their own vineyard, supplemented from their Cowra Vineyard. We were treated to generous samples of these wines, plus plates of nibbles. Reluctantly, we tore ourselves away from this welcome space to drive to Wangaratta, and lunch at the modernised RSL Hotel by the river. Thanks again, Heather and Keith, for (at last) scheduling a visit to Indigo Vineyard. Well worth a visit, readers!
 
Bev Thornell

On July 25th we will visit Jones’ Winery & Vineyard, 61 Jones Road, Rutherglen.

​Jones' Winery, one of the oldest and smallest wineries in the Rutherglen District, was established in 1860 by a German migrant named Fritz Ruhe.
Lunch will be at a nearby venue : to be announced. 
Meet at Aldi Car Park at 10.00 am as usual.
Ring Heather & Keith Rogers : 5762 4086 by Sunday, 21st July.

*Please note: It is important for those intending to join Wine Appreciation outings to ensure that they notify the Rogers AT LEAST 3 days prior to the day, to enable catering numbers to be finalised.

 Keith & Heather 5762 4086   

Heather Rogers is most concerned that Wine Appreciation members are informed that the time of 9.30 am recorded in the newsletter and website calendar for Wednesday 26th June's trip to Indigo Wines is incorrect -  the meeting time is 10 am.  We have changed the time to 10 am on the web site calendar.  Could you please share this news with friends from the Wine Appreciation group?    We hope you have a wonderful day!

Media Team 

Back from their month 'up north', Keith and Heather Rogers are busily making arrangements for the next Wine Appreciation visit on Wednesday June 26.   They are checking out the anticipated winery, 'Indigo Wines' which in near Everton en route to Beechworth from Benalla and considering the Everton Pub as the lunch venue (apparently the meal there was very good last time). Pencil these in to your diary and keep an eye on the website for confirmation.  Meet at the car park behind Aldi at the customary time of 9.30 am, but again, check the website or call Keith and Heather for confirmation.

Keith and Heather Rogers 5762 4086

U3A Wine Appreciation group met in late April at Pizzini’s Cellar Door in the King Valley, a very picturesque and productive area. Pizzini has an attractive new cellar door and landscaped gardens, ideal for hosting their regular special events. Our group lined up at the counter for Caroline to pour tastings of Pizzini's extensive range of white and red wines. Selections of these accompanied us home. Nearby Mountainview Hotel was the venue for an al fresco lunch in ideal weather. We all agreed the food was delicious and service friendly and efficient. Keith asked our group to pause for a toast to our late co-organiser, Noel, who will be missed. Thanks Keith and Heather...you've done it again!

Wednesday 22 May
​
We will visit Morrison’s Winery at Glenrowan, followed by lunch at the Glenrowan Pub.  Meet at 10 am in the car park behind Aldi.  
 
Heather and Keith Rogers 5762 4086

April 24 –Pizzini Wines at King Valley.  Lunch at the Mountain View Hotel. Departing 10am Barkly St Car Park behind Aldi.

May 22 -- Ciavarella Oxley Estate Winery, Oxley.  Lunch at King River Cafe.   Meet at 10am for 10.15 start at the Barkly St car park behind Aldi.   
​
Keith & Heather Rogers 5762 4086

Photographs:  Wendy Sturgess and Terry Dillon

​Welome to another year of interest with our Wine Appreciation group.   It is good to see several new enrolments.
 
Wednesday  27 February 2019
Meet at 10.00 am for travel to Tallis Winery at Dookie.  Lunch  will be a selection of shared platters.
 
Wednesday 27 March
Meet at 10.00 am  to travel to Warrabilla Winery, Rutherglen, previously visited in 2011 and home to some powerful reds.
Lunch at Pickled Sisters.
 
We will continue to meet at the tennis court car-park site behind Aldi’s.
 
Phone Noel 5762 3149 or  Keith &  Heather 5762 4086.  In most instances we confirm  meal bookings  the  previous Sunday night.