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Published: October 1st 2008
For some odd reason I awake early today, refreshed and look out of the window to watch dawn rise above the Sydney Opera House - not a cloud in the sky which bodes well for my visit to the Hunter Valley - carefully arranged by one of our key wine suppliers.
0715 am and Paul greets me in the lobby and we have a quick spot of breakfast before heading over and picking up the car for the 2.5 hour journy to Cessnock and the heart of the Hunter Valley.
Upon leaving Sydney and onto Highway 1 (nothing like the M1) we enter into a lush green landscape reminiscent of the New Forest, but Aussie style - there are inlets and coves, bright blue skies with the odd white cloud and we talk about the day ahead and my trip thus far.
As we get close to Cessnock so I begin to see the real Australia - you know, the tin houses, the typical one road town with the hotel straight out of a classic Western film and I begin to look around for Clint Eastwood - but he's out of town.
Cessnock itself is the gateway
to the Hunter Valley, the town itself having been established as a mining town principally with the growth of the Vineyards coming later.
We continue out of Cessnock and to the first vineyard - the extremely stylish Tempus Two, which is an amazing piece of architecture but also developed in a way where 14,000 people can congregate in the ampitheatre for acts such as Elton John, KD Lang and Dame Kiri te Kawana have been in concert.
Here we meet Lizzie (the Winemaker) and Scottie - a private tour of the cellars and wine producing area ensues where we get to taste some fantastic wines both straight from making and from the barrell - a glorious Grenache, a classy Oaked Chardonnay and a silky smooth Semillion - damn why do I have to spit them out, it seems such a waste! Lizzie took the time to talk through where the grapes were sourced and how much wine is produced per year, before bidding farewell as we go on to taste some more of the Estates Fine Wines... and fine they were - some absolutely delicious and intense reds (which completely changed my mind about drinking red) and some
of the fruitiest and snazzy whites I have tasted in a long time - the pinot gris especially was amazing.
Time for lunch at the Japanese and Thai restaurant Oishii - and some fantastic food accompanied by yet more amazing wines that this time we drink heartily and chat about life as a winemaker and compare notes on wines. Even Lizzie agrees that Gruner Veltliner is a magnificent wine and has sourced some varietals to grow in the next few years.
Onto the next vineyard across the road (MacGuigan) where again further tastings ensue under the careful direction of Grant and Alex - here for me the highlights have to the Sparkling Pinot Gris (and yes I do have a bottle - Frenchy this you would like) and the Muscat which was amazing!
4pm and with a slightly thuddy head and happy heart it is time to head back to Sydney, Paul and I chat about places to eat in Sydney and suggest meeting up for a meal at the Lord Nelson for my last night in Sydney tomorrow. Traffic back into Sydney got heavy for the final 20k's or so but returning over the Sydney Harbour
Bridge as the sun was setting was great and up above one could see the Bridge Climbers on the go.
Clinking through the lobby with a few bottles of wine, it was remarked by the lobby staff it looked as if I had had a great day - "Oh Yes" in a Churchillian way was the answer....
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Ferret
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Rob's drunk the "Buy For Less"
Sounds another wonderful day Rob, I'll brief the Wine team to expect a cost increase to cover your bar tab!