Our last group outing for the year and we were off to Rutherglen, Andrew Buller Wines to be exact.   Andrew and his wife, Wendy, were very gracious hosts and their wines extremely enjoyable.   Andrew is from the Buller family of winemakers and he and Wendy bought their winery in 2015.  In their lovely old home they have converted the front rooms into a cellar door.  Had the weather been co-operative we would have been sitting out under the rather grand old trees.

We started off with a traditionally made champagne, followed by a chardonnay, pinot grigio, a delicious sparkling shiraz liquored with rare Muscat – definitely a purchase - two reds and finished off with a Tawny, Tokay and a Muscat.   Most of us clinked back to our cars for lunch at Footsteps Cafe (previously The Pickled Sisters) at Cofields winery.

The cafe has a very interesting menu, beautifully presented dishes and wonderful service.   A great way to end our year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bev for all her wonderful photographs and to the entire group for making each month a very happy day out.

This month our journey was slightly further afield to Campbell’s Winery at Rutherglen.

There were many wines available for tasting, but sadly for some of our members the Robbie Burns Shiraz 2018 was off the list.   The staff described it as the best in 20 years, so they are withholding many bottles for a special release down the track. 

Five minutes down the road we came to our lunch venue, The Other Place cafe.  We enjoyed our meals in their lovely courtyard and many stayed on to chatter and window shop.

Next month we are off to Baileys@Glenrowan, 779 Taminick Gap Rd, Glenrowan followed by lunch at the Vintage Hall Café, 54 Gladstone St, Glenrowan.

Meeting behind Aldi’s at 10.00 a.m.

RSVP’s by Sunday 19th June to phone/text 0428 696 408 or email nicnakmac90@gmail.com.
​
Nicole McFarlane  ​

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​

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.

​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

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

Photographs:  Wendy Sturgess and Terry Dillon