Cellarhand

Airlie Bank by Punt Road
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Winemaker: Kate Goodman
www.puntroadwines.com.au
Airlie Bank wines are made by Kate Goodman at Punt Road winery in Coldstream. In the 1850′s Airlie Bank was the original name of Melbourne’s Punt Road Hill. This property was owned by a Scottish lawyer called David Ogilvy who named the property after Airlie Castle in Scotland, the spiritual home of the Ogilvy clan. Ogilvy planted a vineyard on the banks of the hill stretching down to the Yarra River. According to the history books the wines made on this site were “celebrated” by the local community. These days the vineyards are long gone and Airlie Bank is prime real estate within walking distance of Melbourne’s CBD. The vineyards are now located in the cool climate of the picturesque Yarra Valley.

 

Balnaves
Coonawarra, South Australia
Winemaker: Pete Bissell
www.balnaves.com.au
Balnaves is a small family owned wine company in the heart of the famous Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The initial vineyard plantings were commenced in 1975 and have now increased to 47 hectares. Although predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon the vineyard also includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Shiraz.Winemaker Pete Bissell is the current Qantas ‘Winemaker of the Year’. 2008 James Halliday’s Winery of the year, 2006 Jeremy Oliver wine of the year, 2005 Qantas/Gourmet traveler winemaker of the year! Just released is the 2009 vintage of The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – way down on quantity this year; but even further up the quality scale, if that’s possible. At the other end of the Balnaves range, price-wise sits the 2009 The Blend – which just has to be one of THE great value wines of Australia. Ask your Cellarhand contact for a taste of this if you havent seen it yet.

 

By Farr
Geelong, Victoria
Winemakers: Nick and Gary Farr
www.byfarr.com.au
Gary was the winemaker at Bannockburn Vineyards since its inception in 1978 and gained an enviable reputation for Bannockburn Wines and more recently, his own By Farr wines. His experience as a hands-on winemaker has been enhanced by 12 vintages at Domain Dujac in Burgundy, France, and vintages in the USA at Cristom, Oregon and Calera, California. He has made numerous sojourns to other areas such as the Rhone Valley in France, where his appreciation of Shiraz and Viognier has been incorporated in his current winemaking. Gary’s uncompromising attitude towards his vineyard and winemaking enables him to make the style of wines he likes to drink. They have attitude and a great depth of character with understated finesse. Gary Farr was Qantas/Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year 2001 after being runner up in 2000. In 2003 he was voted equal 4th best living winemaker by his peers (The Age 28th May 2003). “To be finally able to include the wines from the Farr stable in CellarHand’s portfolio is one of the most exciting moments in the development of our wine company that we’ve ever been able to announce’ – Patrick Walsh, April 2010.

 

Cullen
Margaret River, Western Australia
Winemaker: Vanya Cullen, 2000 Qantas Winemaker of the Year
www.cullenwines.com.au
Di and Kevin Cullen were pioneers in Margaret River and today Cullen is one of Australia’s most highly regarded wineries. Vanya Cullen, Australia’s first female wine judge, and Qantas Winemaker of the Year in 2000, has been relentless in her pursuit of excellence in the Cullen wines, with a great commitment to low yielding, bio-dynamically managed vineyards. Whilst the Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Diana Madeline are widely considered amongst the best of their ilk, the other wines also demonstrate a similar dimension of individuality and quality. Truly one of Australia’s iconic producers, Cullen wines, under the inspired guiding hand of Vanya , continue to push the boundaries and edge closer and closer to perfection. The 2007 Kevin John took out ‘world Chardonnay of the year’ at the international Wine Challenge in London last year. This year, Jeremy Oliver awarded the 2009 vintage of Diana Madeline his ‘Wine of the Year’ . A fitting award in what is Cullen’s 40th anniversary year.

 

Farr Rising
Geelong, Victoria
Winemaker: Nick Farr
www.byfarr.com.au
These days very much in the thick of things at the winery across both labels Nick Farr has certainly lived up to the tongue in cheek humor of the ‘Farr Rising’ name. Indeed, Ralph Kyte-Powell summed it up really well when he noted: “Nick has now arrived in his own right as a winemaker. His Geelong Pinot Noir is bright in colour and the nose combines freshness of cherry fruit with some nicely underplayed forestry, mysterious and savoury notes.” The Farr Rising Geelong Pinot is of course, estate grown along with the Chardonnay and Pinot Grapes for the Saignee. Made in an ‘earlier drinking’ style than some of the BY FARR range, Nick’s wines are no less serious; and indeed no less exciting. In fact they represent some of the best value terroir-driven wines available. Look for the quartet of single vineyard 2010 ‘Regional Dirt Series’ Pinots that were recently released – Geelong, Gippsland, Mornington and Henty.

 

Frankland Estate
Frankland River Region, Western Australia
Winemaker: Hunter Smith
www.franklandestate.com.au
Founded by Judi Cullam and Barrie Smith and situated in the remote Southern Western Australia region of Frankland River, a region that was defined by renowned Californian Viticulturalist Dr Harold Olmo, in a 1955 study of potential viticultural sites, as one of the most promising prospects in Australia.  Frankland Estate wines are the proof that he was right, displaying finesse and balance and a true expression of cool climate winegrowing. Now rated amongst the nation’s most important and consistent Riesling producers it’s been a delight over recent vintages to see the red wines – Olmos Reward ‘Bordeaux Blend’ and the iconic ‘Isolation Ridge’ Shiraz – start to attract the critical acclaim and sales profile that they so richly deserve.  The ‘new flagship’ range is bottled under the ‘Smith Cullam’ label – a Shiraz/Cabernet that Jeremy Oliver cites as ‘An emerging Australian Classic’, and a ‘kabinett’ style Riesling – rated 97/100 by Nick Stock this year – making it the highest rated Riesling in Australia. Always a great judge is Mr.Stock!

 

Geoff Weaver
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Winemaker: Geoff Weaver
www.geoffweaver.com.au
Geoff Weaver’s vineyards were planted between 1982 and 1988, and the wines are now really reaping the rewards of maturity. With a Sauvignon Blanc that can only be described as ‘immaculate’, one of Australia’s top Chardonnays, and an often overlooked but highly aromatic and minerally Riesling, Geoff is clearly one of Australia’s elite white wine makers. The Bordeaux-reminiscent Cabernet Merlot is an elegant wine of great length and finesse, whilst tiny parcels of super premium Pinot Noir are also produced.

 

Glaetzer
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Winemaker: Ben Glaetzer
www.glaetzer.com
Ben Glaetzer firmly believes that great wines are made in the vineyard. This belief in “terroir” and an understanding of the ancient dry-grown vineyards in the renowned Ebenezer district of the Barossa is evident in the stunning quartet of wines produced under the Glaetzer label. Exceptional fruit from a loyal group of third and fourth generation Barossa grape growers is the backbone of Glaetzer wines. With minimal intervention, Ben makes the unique, elegant wines which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossa Valley.

 

Heartland
Limestone Coast & Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Chief Winemaker: Ben Glaetzer
www.heartlandwines.com.au
The Coast and Creek range of wines perfectly reflect Ben Glaetzer’s determination to make wines that display pure varietal and regional characters. These wines are made from fruit sourced from the largest, most mature vineyards owned by Heartland Wines: the Limestone Coast shares many qualities with its famous neighbour, the Coonawarra with fruit ripening slowly developing full fruit flavours to create vibrant, mouth filling wines of finesse and elegance; and Langhorne Creek – situated east of Adelaide, on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It is one of South Australia’s oldest wine regions and as a result of the cool dry nights and warm days produces wines with richness and purity with fine tannins and opulent mouthfeel.

 

Mount Mary
Yarra Valley, Victoria
www.mountmary.com.au
Winemaker: Sam Middleton

Mount Mary is a family owned, single vineyard estate located in the heart of the Yarra Valley which lies in the south-eastern corner of Australia to the east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria. Established in 1971 by John and Marli Middleton, Mount Mary was one of the first vineyards planted in the resurgence of the Yarra Valley as a premium wine producing region. The inspiration behind the planting of vines in the Yarra Valley came from the Swiss settlers of the 1850’s. These worldly and hard working immigrants had been greatly influenced by the French wine producers and recognised the climatic parallels the Yarra Valley shared with Bordeaux and Burgundy. Today, Mount Mary is regarded as one of the great small wineries of Australia, noted for both its character and the high quality and individuality of its wines. Since the first (commercial) vintage in 1976, Mount Mary has established itself as one of Australia’s most highly regarded producers.  

Punt Road
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Winemaker: Kate Goodman
www.puntroadwines.com.au
In the 1850’s Punt Road was a quiet dirt road that met the Yarra River on the outskirts of a new settlement, Melbourne. The road was surrounded by some of the first commercial vineyards in Victoria, and was linked across the river by a punt, which would ferry people and goods to the other side. Punt Road remains today in the heart of cosmopolitan Melbourne. A bridge now stands where the punt once was, and the vineyards have been re-established throughout the Yarra Valley, where the grapes for this wine are grown today. This year has seen the release of a duo of 100% ‘whole bunch’ wines, under the name ‘Chemin’ – a 2010 Syrah and 2010 Pinot Noir. Both offer a fantastic insight into what a brilliant winemaker Kate Goodman really is. Check them out for sure before they’re all gone!

 

Rocky Gully
Frankland River, Western Australia
Winemaker: Hunter Smith
www.franklandestate.com.au/accolades/rocky-gully/rocky-gully-cabernets/
Frankland River is one of the coolest wine-growing regions in Western Australia. It is situated far from population and industrial centres, has no major vine pests or diseases and offers a pristine, pollution free grape-growing environment. Onshore winds off the southern ocean and moderate summer temperatures provide optimum ripening conditions for grapes. Rocky Gully wines are made from traditional varieties with an individual approach to winemaking. Developed for the modern lifestyle, these wines are vibrant, fresh, easy drinking and food friendly.

 

S. C. Pannell
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Winemaker: Steve Pannell
SC Pannell News

Stephen Pannell grew up in the wine industry. In 1967, his family founded Mosswood, the second winery and vineyard to emerge in the Margaret River district. Pannell’s Australian credentials include Seppelts Great Western, Wirra Wirra, Hardy’s Tintarra and BRL Hardy Wine Company where he was the Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003, making some fabulous wines such as Eileen Hardy Shiraz and E&E Black Pepper to name just two. During this time he won ‘Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge, as well as countless trophies and gold medals. He has also worked extensively around the world at Comtes Lafon and Mouton Rothschild as well as more recently in Italy. Recent vintages have seen Pannel start to re-define what McLaren Vale is known for, with ethereal efforts with Grenache in 2009 and the just released 2010, groundbreaking blends with Tempranillo, Touriga and Monastrell, as well as the seriously sought after Nebbiolo from Adelade Hills. So much so in fact, that he was recently awarded the ‘Bushing King’ prize at the McLaren Vale wine show. See the attachment here for full details.

 

Scorpo
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Winemakers: Paul Scorpo & Sandro Mosele
www.scorpowines.com.au
Paul Scorpo’s meticulously planted vineyard on the Peninsula is producing some truly superb fruit, and with the help of Sandro Moselle at Kooyong winery the Scorpo wines have deservedly received some serious attention. In a very sort space of time Scorpo has carved out a reputation for making some of the Peninsula’s best wines and arguably Australia’s finest Pinot Gris – as typified by the quite lovely and perfectly balanced 2010 vintage, bottle for the first time under screw-cap.

 Shadowfax
Geelong, Victoria
Winemaker: Matt Harrop
www.shadowfax.com.au
Shadowfax has now established a strong reputation for region-specific varietal wines.Shadowfax is jointly managed by winemaker Matt Harrop, a New Zealander with great experience in vineyards and winemaking. Matt started working in wineries when he was 17, attending Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia. In his travels, Matt has spent time in the picturesque vineyards of Italy and Moldova, and just before joining Shadowfax, he worked at the Brokenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley and at Nautilus in Marlborough, New Zealand. Since the first releases in 1999, Shadowfax have gradually carved out a serious reputation for truly regionally expressive wines – with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz getting the lion’s share of the attention. The 2009 vintage of the ‘white label’ chardonnay is up there with the best yet!

 

 Stefano Lubiana
Granton, Tasmania
Winemaker: Steve Lubiana
www.slw.com.au
Stefano Lubiana’s highly-sought after wines are the result of a passionate quest for perfection, detail and uniqueness. His approach focuses on organic principals, with innovative use of wild yeasts, barrel and whole bunch fermentation to handcraft a disctinct range of wines. Located at Granton, in the Derwent Valley 20km’s north of Hobart, overlooking the spectacular tidal estuary of the Derwent River, the winery boasts a family wine making legacy of over 200 years. In a lovely piece of ‘portfolio synergy’ this year we were able to assist in arranging for Steve to do vintage in Austria with Gerhard Pittnauer this year. Steve has in mind to plant Blaufrankisch and perhaps Saint Laurent in Tasmania. Wouldnt that be something! SLW_Winemaker Steve Lubiana off to Europe 

Stickleback
Limestone Coast & Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Winemaker: Ben Glaetzer
www.heartlandwines.com.au/wines/stickleback/
A perfect introduction to what Heartland Wines has to offer. Stickleback wines are a blend of varieties predominatly from the Limestone Coast and Langhorne Creek vineyards in South Australia. The wines are fresh, fruity and a perfect accompaniment to a range of foods. The packaging is fun and quirky like the wines, but what lies within is a fair bit more serious – with the phrase ‘ridiculously great value’ springing to mind!

 

Wantirna Estate
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Winemakers: Reg & Maryann Egan
www.wantirnaestate.com.au
Established in 1963 and with an annual production of less than 1000 cases in total, Wantirna Estate ranks among the elite of the Yarra Valley icons. Hand crafted terroir-driven wines are a reflection of meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of viticulture and winemaking, and a vineyard site that is naturally low-yielding. “You don’t need too many fingers to count the number of ‘cult’ wineries of the 1970s and early 1980s that are still in the hands of their original owners. Fewer still are actually performing better today than ever before. Wantirna Estate is one such winery and it’s modern success is a culmination of experience, the introduction of fresh ideas and a proven ability to learn.” Jeremy Oliver, www.onwine.com.au

 

Yeringberg
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Winemakers: Guill and Sandra de Pury
www.yeringberg.com
“Yarra Valley pioneers, the de Pury family are renowned for wines of finesse and elegance that epitomise the finest the region can produce. Produced from some of the oldest vines in the valley, these are long lived wines made in tiny quantities. Yeringberg makes wines from the low-yielding vines re-established on the heart of what was one of the most famous vineyards of the nineteenth century. In the riper years, the red wines have a velvety generosity of flavour which is rarely encountered, yet never lose varietal character, while the Yeringberg White takes students of history back to Yeringberg’s fame in the nineteenth century.” JAMES HALLIDAY, www.winepros.com.au