Category: King Valley

Coming up on Friday 16 May - 'La Cantina Winery'

29/4/2025

This month we will be off to visit La Cantina Winery in the King Valley on Friday the 16th of May. This is a family-owned vineyard with a long Italian heritage. The Corsini Family have been farming in the King Valley for about 60 years. The wines they make are a little different in that they are preservative free, meaning no hang over, well maybe a smaller hang over depending how much is drunk. There will be a tasting fee of $5.00 for those tasting, payable on the day.

Following the tastings, lunch will be at the Mountain View Hotel a short drive away in Whitfield. The hotel is owned by the Pizzini family who also own a winery in the region. For those who have never eaten here the food is of a very high standard at reasonable pub prices.

The group will be meeting at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre car park at 10.00 am as usual before proceeding to the winery.

Garry Smith

April - 'La Cantina Winery and King River Cafe'

29/4/2022

La Cantina winery were our hosts for this month’s outing held at their beautiful stone cellar door. Linda Cortini imparted her extensive knowledge of their organic wines. As there are no preservatives in their wines the fruitiness comes through more strongly.

We then journeyed to our lunch venue - King River Cafe - and enjoyed a wonderful lunch and each other’s company.

Our next outing is to Campbells Winery at 4603 Murray Valley Highway Rutherglen. Lunch venue is still being explored. Meeting behind Aldi’s at 10.00 a.m.

RSVPs by Sunday 22 May--phone/text 0428 696 408 or email [email protected].

Nicole McFarlane

Photographs: Bev Thornell

Politini's sunny courtyard in April, 'La Cantina Winery' in May

2/4/2022

On Wednesday 23 March, 19 of our members arrived at the family run Politini Winery in the Upper King Valley Cheshunt and were greeted by Lidia Politini. We were seated in a lovely sunny courtyard looking out onto gardens and a tree studded green lawn.

We commenced our tasting with their Prosecco, which is slightly drier than the average, and progressed through seven other varieties of whites and reds, all from Sicilian grapes.

We enjoyed hearing about the history of Lidia’s family, how they arrived as migrants and have built the winery into its current success. There are plans afoot for a new cellar door

Next month’s outing is to La Cantina Winery at 54 Honeys Lane, King Valley then onto the King River Café at 1143 Snow Rd, Oxley. Meeting behind Aldi’s at 10.00 a.m.

RSVPs by Sunday 24 April--phone/text 0428 696 408 or email [email protected].

Until then, stay safe and enjoy yourselves.

Nicole McFarlane

Photo Gallery - Politini Wines

24/3/2022

"U3A Wine Appreciation this month met at Politini, in the Upper King Valley at Cheshunt. This small, family-run boutique winery, "Where Sicily meets the King Valley", is blessed with the ideal climate and granite soils to enable production of excellent Italian and French wines. As the winery is currently under expansion and reconstruction, we were seated outside under shady umbrellas, under the watchful eye of Spoodle, Tilly. Our group was welcomed by Lidia Politini, daughter of Sam, and offered tastings of their whites and reds, including the signature Prosecco, which apparently is better served in specially designed Prosecco glasses. Lidia was an excellent speaker, regaling us with stories of the Politini family history: from newly-arrived migrants to successful wine producers. After a long, leisurely hour, we drove back to Cheshunt for a light lunch at The Oven. Thanks to our convenor, Nicole, for organising this pleasant outing." Bev Thornell

Source: U3A Benalla Facebook Post

Pizzini visit leisurely and enjoyable--our next visit, Politini Wines

28/2/2022

A very leisurely and enjoyable experience.

Our first outing for 2022 was on a perfect autumn day.

Fifteen members headed to Pizzini’s winery where we were shown to our tasting table, beautifully set with an array of glasses, and outside overlooking the grounds.

Our sommelier, Chas, introduced himself and then proceeded to impart his expert knowledge of Pizzini wines and make suggestions for wines to taste.   We started with five La Famiglia Wines that were fabulous for everyday drinking and one from their Special and Rare wine selection.

Alfredo and Katrina Pizzini planted the first vines on the property in 1978, then in 1994 the first wine under the Pizzini label was produced.

We then moved to the Mountain View Hotel where we sat out in the garden under the shade of the established trees.

The wait staff were very friendly and the service was good and food excellent – very large servings.    A very pleasant way to spend the day.

On 23rd March we will be heading to Politini Wines at 65 Upper King River Road, Cheshunt and lunch at The Ovens, 451 King Valley Rd Cheshunt.

Meeting in the car park behind Aldi at 10.00am.   Please let me know if you are coming on 0428 696 408 or [email protected] by Sunday 20th March.

Nicole McFarlane

February - Pizzini Winery and lunch 'al fresco' in Whitfield

27/2/2022

"The U3A Wine Appreciation group met for our first outing in 2022. Pizzini Winery in the King Valley was our destination and as usual it didn't disappoint. For $10 a head, we sat under the veranda and sampled several from the extensive list of Pizzini wines, including their pricier Italian varietals. We learnt that the King Valley soils and climate are perfect for producing the delicate Tuscan-style wines the Valley is renowned for. Most of us left with a wine bag on our arm. It was only a short drive back to Whitfield Mountain View Hotel for al fresco lunch under the welcome shade of the trees...washed down with another glass? Thanks to our new Convenor, Nicole, the day went smoothly. We look forward to next month's class." Bev Thornell, FB post

Bev Thornell

November - Christmas Lunch at Chrismont wineries

28/12/2021

The Wine appreciation group organises U3A Benalla's Christmas Luncheon each year. This year 63 members enjoyed a delicious meal and wonderful company at the beautiful Chrismont winery in the King Valley. Click on the photo to see the slideshow and report!

October - 'A perfect Spring day at Sam Miranda Winery, Oxley'

30/10/2021

What better way to spend a perfect Spring day than to visit Sam Miranda Winery, Oxley. Our U3A Wine Appreciation group met there for our Wine Tasting and lunch.

It was such a busy day for the venue that our habitual informative talk and Wine Tasting was unexpectedly brief. However, we all enjoyed being out again as a group that we felt compensated. The delicious Italian food and new Italian wine varietals were much appreciated.

Thanks to Meg Dillon for stepping in for Heather and Keith, who were unable to take charge or to attend, due to ill health.

Bev Thornell

There will be no November U3A Wine Appreciation, as our U3A Christmas breakup lunch will be held next month. Details and attendance forms are included on the next page. This year the lunch is being held on a Tuesday not a Wednesday, and the forms are due on Wednesday 10th November, not at Meet and Mingle. The contact person for bookings for the lunch is Corrie Witlox – phone 5762 8225.

April - 'Dal Zotto Winery and the Whitfield pub', Coming up in May, 'Pfeiffer Wines and the Pickled Sisters Cafe'

30/4/2021

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

April - Pizzini's in the King Valley; coming up in May, Morrisons

25/5/2019

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!

Bev Thornell

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

'La Cantina Winery' in the King Valley

29/10/2018

La Cantina Winery, visited in late October, has an interesting family history; Gino Corsini, father of Peter & grandfather of Reuben, migrated from Bagni Di Luca, Tuscany to Australia in 1952, aged 19 years. The wine making techniques follow the traditional Corsini Family traditions, with no preservatives added and no filtration, retaining the full characteristics of each wine. The interesting Cellar Door building was built by Gino & Carmel Corsini in 1997 from Glenrowan granite rocks in traditional Tuscan style.

Marg Walshe

Coming up on Friday 16 May - 'La Cantina Winery'

April - 'La Cantina Winery and King River Cafe'

Politini's sunny courtyard in April, 'La Cantina Winery' in May

Photo Gallery - Politini Wines

Pizzini visit leisurely and enjoyable--our next visit, Politini Wines

February - Pizzini Winery and lunch 'al fresco' in Whitfield

November - Christmas Lunch at Chrismont wineries

October - 'A perfect Spring day at Sam Miranda Winery, Oxley'

April - 'Dal Zotto Winery and the Whitfield pub', Coming up in May, 'Pfeiffer Wines and the Pickled Sisters Cafe'

April - Pizzini's in the King Valley; coming up in May, Morrisons

'La Cantina Winery' in the King Valley

About the Wine
Appreciation group...

Convenors 2025

Meeting Times

Thank You Nicole!

Wineries visited
(being updated)

Archives

Convenors 2025

Meeting Times

Thank You Nicole!

Wineries visited(being updated)

Archives

Wineries visited
(being updated)