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Category: Sparkling Cellar Doors

Yarra Valley Sparkling Cellar Doors

Around an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is known as the oldest wine-producing region in Victoria, dating back to 1838. The region offers a diverse range of wines and is best known for its chardonnay and pinot noir varieties, favourites for producing sparkling wine.

As the name suggests, the Yarra Valley is named after Melbourne’s main river that begins its journey on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range and twists through the forested valleys of the Yarra Ranges and its quaint regional towns before flowing through Melbourne and concluding its journey in Port Phillip Bay. This pristine natural environment is home to breathtaking landscapes, beautiful native forests, is one of Melbourne’s main water catchment areas and currently hosts around 3,800 total hectares under vine. The Yarra Valley has an abundance of cellar doors and as a cool climate region offers some of the best sparkling wine at cellar door tastings and regional local produce at restaurants.

I grew up near here, on the other side of the ranges in St Andrews, which wasn’t then, but is now considered part of the Yarra Valley region. It always feels a bit like home when visiting, and with so many beautiful cellar doors showcasing the regions cool climate varieties, it is a lot more bubbly fun! 

Although the first vines in Victoria were planted elsewhere, Yering Station in the Yarra Valley was the site of Victoria’s first commercial vineyard. It was planted by the Scottish-born Ryrie brothers in 1838, but it wasn’t until Paul de Castella took ownership that the first Yarra Valley wine was made in 1845. I remember this story from when I was a TAFE lecturer training tour guides. As one of the best day trips outside of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley was one of our training tours.  The history is that after Paul de Castella took ownership, new vines were imported from France and production increased. It really was a ‘heyday’, establishing the area with international renown with wine awards won including the Grand Prix at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889.

By the 1860s several other vineyards had been established in the Yarra Valley. A second de Castella brother, Hubert, planted St Hubert’s in 1863 and Guillaume de Pury established Yeringburg in 1864.  Plantings reached nearly 1,000 acres by the turn of the century.  As with a lot of wine regions the area was affected by the devastating insect pest phylloxera. The last vines from this era were uprooted in the 1920s and the land returned to pasture. 

There was a small resurgence in the 1960s, with new vineyards planted including the re-establishment of Yeringburg and St Hubert’s. When I was growing up here in the 1980s, there were a few wineries, but the area was known more as a food bowl with fruit orchards and other crops. It wasn’t until 1989 that Victoria’s first commercial vineyard, Yering Station, was replanted, and that year was also the exciting release of the first cuvées for Domaine Chandon (now known just as Chandon). As part of an expansion and innovation strategy of the French Champagne House Moët en Chandon after establishing successful ventures in Argentina and California, they conducted an extensive nationwide search of wine growing regions and chose the Yarra Valley for their Australian sparkling operation in 1982.

The Yarra Valley now has more than eighty wineries, and because of its proximity to Melbourne, it is a popular tourist destination and home to some high-profile wineries and many smaller producers. Each winery expresses the diversity of its terroir, the passion of its producers, a mastery of traditional practices and despite its 170-year legacy, it’s far from old. It’s a hub for innovation and home to some of the most progressive, dynamic winemakers in the world.

With plenty of emerging varietal wines gaining popularity and prestige, there’s something for everyone in the Yarra Valley.  It’s a popular day trip, but you could easily spend a few days here.  There’s plenty of food and wine things to do, as well as family activities and nature experiences for a day out.

I suggest that you have a designated driver for your Cellar Door visits. To really relax and have a nice day out, it is much better to book a driver or book a day with a tour company.  There are many to choose from for a day trip, from personalised small groups to larger coaches. You can find details on the Visit Yarra Valley website here.

While this is not a fully inclusive list of the Sparkling Cellar Doors in the region, this list was created from several visits, and it highlights some of the region’s top sparklings that I’ve grouped into sub-regions to help you plan a trip.  It’s a nice mix of large-scale Cellar Doors as well as small boutique offerings. I’ve included links to each of the Cellar Doors, and I suggest that you confirm opening times and make bookings in advance before you travel.

DIXONS CREEK AREA

There is enough sparkling on this little stretch of the Melba Highway for a full day of tasting – starting at Sutherland Estate and tasting your way back to Yarra Glen.

Sutherland Estate

Sutherland Estate is a small, family-owned enterprise located at Dixon’s Creek. The Cellar Door design is cathedral-ceiling with enormous floor to ceiling windows. It is situated high on a hillside and has a large outside deck with impressive views of the vineyards. You can see the expanse of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong and Warburton Ranges. It’s a lovely place to quietly to sip wine, perhaps pair it with a cheese board, while taking in the views and birdsong. You can also stay overnight with two small apartment style rooms with spiral staircases leading up to the bedroom and views, designed like a tower either side of the building.

I met with Cathy who told me that her parents established the vineyard and Cellar Door here, and now she and her family as the next generation have taken over the reins.  

Chardonnay is planted here, as well as Pinot Noir, and their sparklings highlight the red grape varieties with a Blanc de Noirs (white from black). They also have the Spanish-origin Tempranillo planted here and have created a unique sparkling red with this variety.

2016 Blanc de Noir Sparkling

Made from 100% Pinot Noir in the méthode traditionnelle, with secondary fermentation and ageing in the bottle. Using all red fruit that hasn’t spent time on skins, presents as a white sparkling wine. Sometimes you’ll see a hint of blush in the colour like this one. It is late disgorged after 4 ½ years on lees, resulting in a complex and generous sparkling. Aromas of pastry, brioche, honey, pear and almond. On the palate it’s well balanced with mid-palate fruit – berry, cherry and marzipan – and finishes dry at only 3g/L dosage, with a lovely fine and persistent bead.

2021 Sparkling Tempranillo

This was the latest release, and it is something unique as a sparkling red because we don’t often see a Tempranillo here in Australia. They’ve been making it for 10 years, and it’s all grown onsite, and has spent months in seasoned barriques before undergoing secondary fermentation on lees in the bottle made méthode traditionnelle, it’s aged on lees for 12 months. It is almost inky purple in colour. As is often the case with a sparkling red, it is higher on dosage at 25g/L to balance out the tannins, but it finishes dry. It has a powerful burst of mid-palate fruit of berries, dark cherries, a bit of liquorice, with peppery spice and earthy undertones to finish. It would be a great match with cheese and charcuterie or even a dark chocolate pudding.

See website here.

Steels Gate Cellar Door

Steels Gate Home Block Vineyard is situated at 230m above sea level and was planted in the late 1970s on an undulating slope on grey loam soils.

I met with Matthew and Brad who purchased the Home Block vineyard in 2009. They explained that the site was overrun by blackberries and the vines needed some significant nurturing. They knew it had potential, having previously been used in award-winning wines, and their challenge was to return the vines to their former glory. It is at this site that the Steels Gate winery is located.

It wasn’t until 2017 when Matthew and Brad decided they needed to expand their business and get out of the corporate world. After investigating all alternatives, they discovered an amazing vineyard with restaurant and Cellar Door for sale in Dixons Creek, which they acquired in early 2018. This new purchase tripled the size of their estate and in addition to adding more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it diversified their estate offerings with other varieties. If you follow them on Instagram, you may know that their son Sebastien is following in their footsteps, with some of his own vintages created at 11 years of age!

They follow sustainable agriculture practices and their winemaking techniques are centred around minimal intervention and are vegan friendly.  The restaurant and Cellar Door were upgraded with additional solar panels providing significant green energy back to the grid.

Initially expecting to run a Cellar Door with “café” type food, they suddenly found themselves needing new skills as restaurateurs for the first time. Demand for top quality food was what visitors were asking for, and the restaurant has a head chef and is recognised with 5-star ratings.

Situated in the valley, the Cellar Door has an indoor area and deck with views over the vineyard and surrounding ranges. A kitchen garden provides produce for the restaurant and themed dining nights. The cellar door and restaurant is open a few days a week, for tastings and lunch, Saturday night dinner, and there are platters available to enjoy on the picnic tables at other times.

Their dedication and passion for producing quality sparkling is evident. All hand-picked and methode-traditionelle, aged in bottle for around three years. Since my visit, new vintages of the Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs have been released. I look forward to trying them in the future.

2017 Blanc de Blancs Home Block

The Home Block vineyard is cool and sheltered with more than 40-year-old dry-grown vines. This vintage – 100% handpicked on 28 February 2017 – produced an amazing sparkling that displays a crisp dry, creamy textured, fine-bead and lingering beeswax finish. De-stemmed and pressed, with overnight juice settling. Fermented and matured in stainless tank. Method-Traditionelle, disgorged December 2020 with a dosage of 5g/l.

See website here.

De Bortoli

You probably know this label, but you may not be familiar with the De Bortoli family story, which is one of determination and triumph that started 90 years ago in war-torn Europe and is now told, generations later, across Australia. Their heritage encompasses the universal story of immigrants making good in an adopted land, bringing a new wine culture to Australia, and contributing to the rise of the Australian wine industry. A tale of a hardworking and innovative family who consider good wine, good food and good friends to be among the true pleasures in life.

Today, the third generation of the De Bortoli family, the children of Deen and Emeri De Bortoli, are the custodians of De Bortoli Wines.

Managing Director Darren De Bortoli oversees the winemaking, alongside Leanne De Bortoli’s winemaker husband Steve Webber. Leanne and Steve manage the Yarra Valley Estate winery and vineyard, while Kevin De Bortoli is Company Viticulturist, and youngest son Victor De Bortoli is Executive Director looking after international business.

Every family member has pride in, and a commitment to, the business, alongside a passion for great wine and a sense of responsibility about leaving a legacy for future generations.

Chief winemaker Steve Webber says that to make wines of “detail, texture and minerality, charm and interest” it must be about “site and season”.

Chardonnay comes from their high-altitude vineyard Lusatia Park in Woori Yallock, a premium vineyard where Pinot Noir is also in planting.

The Cellar Door has an Italian-style restaurant offering local produce embracing the family’s European heritage.  Bookings are recommended at the restaurant, which is open four days a week, as well as the Cellar Door, which is open daily.  There are a few tasting options including:

Premium Wine Tasting – Enjoy a guided tasting of eight wines from our Estate and Single Vineyards, showcasing classic varietals from our iconic Yarra Valley sites. Learn about winemaking techniques and the story behind the De Bortoli family from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Allow 30 minutes for your tasting.

Private Gourmet Tasting – Treat yourself to a truly decadent tasting at the De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cellar Door. This privately hosted experience is set in the Trophy Room or VIP Room, exploring the iconic wine varietals from the region and beyond. Learn about winemaking techniques from vine to table and the story behind the De Bortoli family. All wines are expertly matched with a fine selection of cheese. Allow one hour for your tasting experience, which includes Single Vineyard and Premium wines, and a dedicated wine expert for the full hour.

De Bortoli have a large sparkling list – mainly charmat method showcasing Italian style and flair with great label designs. The list has something for everyone, including the prestige-themed La Boheme sparklings, which are Chardonnay-led blends with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and high percentage of reserve wines, the Rococco range with similar blend of three, a sparkling Shiraz, several different Proseccos (Glera) including a Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé, a few Moscatos for sweets, and Fizzero for no alcohol. Having tasted a lot from the range, on this visit I selected just a few starting with one that I hadn’t tried before – the Este – a Methode-Traditionelle that was a recent edition released to the range, as well as La Boheme, which we recently proudly featured as one of The Bubbles Review giveaway prizes.

Este Vintage Cuvée 2008

66% Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, 34% Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

Fine aromatic nose, citrus fruits, herbs, and ripe apples. Chalk, grain, and biscuit notes, textural and balanced. Intense with savouriness, structure and quite gastronomic in its feel. It spent 6 years ageing on lees and is in the Brut Nature range with only 2gms of residual sugar.

La Bohème Cuvée Blanc

93% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Noir. 56%.

2015 vintage, 10% 2014 vintage and 34% reserve wine (2007 to 2016).

Beautifully styled bottle and label. Charmat method. Pale colour with a green tinge. Citrus, hazelnuts, brioche, complex and lifted aromas. Finesse and complexity on the palate, lively with good weight and balance.  Residual Sugar 8.5g/L. Perfect with antipasto platter of cured meats, salami, paté, or cured salmon.

La Bohème Cuvée Rosé

66% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Meunier, 4% Pinot Blanc.

Charmat method. Very pale rosé colour. Cream and biscuit, hazelnuts, brioche, complex and lifted aromas. Fine and textural on the palate, lively with good weight and balance. Enjoy now with a selection of canapés. Residual Sugar: 7g/L.

See website here.

Mandala Wines

Mandala was a family dream going back generations – a place to grow grapes, make wine and share it with friends and family. The first part of the ‘dream come true’ was when the Smedley family planted their first ten acres of Pinot Noir at a site in Yarra Junction in 1999. Several years later, they were ready to expand. The story goes that it was Nanna who sent images in a dream to Mum one mysterious night – a vision of rolling hills, dams, vines and a place to sit at the end of the day taking in an endless view.  A year later, that dream became a reality when they moved into the site at Dixon’s Creek, and together with the Yarra Junction vineyard, came full circle to create Mandala as it is today.

I first met owner and winemaker, Charles Smedley, at a wine-tasting event. I loved hearing the story about the winery, and Charles took extra time to talk to me about the Mandala logo and name. Mandala is a Sanskrit word for sacred circles, where everyone has their own things that are important to them. The Mandala wine label is about spending time with family and friends enjoying good food and wine.

Their favourite wines lead them to the Yarra Valley region – Charles’ love of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – made it the perfect choice.

Onsite under separate management is the DiVino restaurant serving Northern Italian cuisine by Chef Luca Radaelli. The kitchen team follow the same philosophy as the Mandala winemaking team, focusing on high quality, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. We had a lovely lunch here the ‘glasshouse’ dining room with views across the vineyards.

The Mandala Cellar Door is set in the entrance to the same building in a beautiful Yarra Valley country setting. With outdoor spaces and views to the vineyards, the team can point to the vines that made the wine you are tasting. Charles says they want Mandala to be our legacy for the future generations, and to be indulged by whomever catches the wine bug – “our place is your place”.

All current release wines are available to taste every day, with the Single Site reserve range named with different meanings for different family members. The Cellar Door also offer back-vintages, Museum stock specials, and limited releases available that are exclusive to the Cellar Door.

The NV ‘M by Mandala’

70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir.

The fruit bunches were harvested early to ensure freshness and a balance of acids. This is a cool climate trophy wine, the NV “M by Mandala” blend of premium Chardonnay fruit delivers striking lemon zesty and light sherbet characters, whilst the Pinot Noir contributes to the feel and weight on the palate along with spice essences. Matured stone-fruits and a creamy mid-palate are brilliantly maintained with an extended finish of crisp, natural acidity and a fine bead. Perfect for an arrival drink, pool-side bubbles, spontaneous celebrations, and party starters. Food pairing suggestion – range of antipasti, such as cured meats, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheeses.

The 2015 Mandala Yarra Valley Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

Methode Traditionelle, it has a creamy, textured palate and a fine bead open up golden apples and ripe nectarines in the mouth. Brioche and honeyed characters are balanced by a long finish of tightly structured lemon-lime acidity and a refreshing minerality. 

The 2010 Mandala Yarra Valley ‘The Gathering’ Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

‘The Gathering’ tells the story from the Mandala, in surrounding yourself with good friends and family while enjoying and embracing life. Methode Traditionelle, spending an impressive 78 months in bottle to produce a truly elegant and stunning wine.

Lovely nose with aromas of lemon rind, white flowers, and brioche. A creamy, textured palate and a fine bead open up textural almond meal and finish with honey nectar, ripe nectarines and stone fruit. These characters are balanced by a long finish of generous structured citrus acidity and a refreshing minerality. Food pairing suggestion include a range of shellfish, white fish, vegetable-based pasta, and paté.

Other names in still wines in the Mandala reserve range are ‘The Compass’ – “four points lead to home”. Charles has symbolised the four points in his Mandala to his four children who always centre him and guide him home. The ‘The Matriarch’ is named for his mother – the head of the Smedley family, the link between family and vine, the leading spirit and adoring mother overseeing and caring for all.  ‘The Rock’ for his father, who is the infamous “rock” of the Smedley family, and ‘The Butterfly’ is lovingly dedicated to Charles’ late sister Vanessa, who’s name in Greek means “butterfly”.

See website here.

Balgownie Estate

The original Balgownie vineyards are in Bendigo, where they produce their well-known Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, with the first wines vintaged in 1972. The Yarra Valley vineyards are producing elegant cool climate wines from estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley is home to 17 acres of vineyards – about 50-50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.   A stylish new building houses resort reception, restaurant, bar, function space and Cellar Door.

The previous restaurant was damaged by fire and the temporary dining facilities were only for guests in their hotel room and suite accommodation. Luckily for me on my recent visit, the brand-new build for restaurant 1309 @ Balgownie was finished and is now open to the public. 1309, named for their street number on the Melba Highway, houses an elegant dining experience with modern Australia cuisine available in the luxurious restaurant building, or on the deck for open-air dining with beautiful vineyard and Yarra Valley views.  An Endota spa has opened here, and there is resort style accommodation, with the restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The Balgownie tagline is Wine – Dine – Stay – Spa, at Balgownie Yarra Valley.  A recent accolade for their new build at the TAA (Tourism Accommodation Australia) awards was a win for Hotel Bar of the Year.  

The Cellar Door has areas for private and group tastings, as well as up at the bar where I enjoyed my tastings. I was impressed to find there is a specific tasting for the Sparkling range, which covered four different sparkling wines.

Sparkling Premium Cuvée Brut – NV

100% Chardonnay.

A portion of this wine was fermented in old oak barrels with extended lees contact to provide some toasty and bread characteristics. The balance was fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh fruit aromas and flavours, then carbonation method was used for bubbles.

Palate is bright and lifted aromas of pear, citrus and new season apples with hints of guava and passion fruit. It has creaminess on the palate with a crisp finish. Serve for brunch or as an aperitif.

Sparkling Shiraz – NV

95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet.

The fruit sourced for this sparkling red is from the Bendigo vineyard. It was hand-harvested and fermented in open vats with daily hand plunging. A brief post-fermentation maceration was carried out to enhance the integration of fine tannins. The wine was aged in a combination of seasoned French oak barrels, and a 10% addition of base wine from the 2013 vintage was added for complexity.

Deep, bright red/purple colour. Fragrant berry aromas, notes of oak and some aniseed spices. The palate is full-bodied, noted tannin and superb balance. Berry richness on the palate of juicy cherries and blackberries. It’s rich with a sense of sweetness the dosage is 19.5g/L. Food pairing suggestions include an array of cuisines from Chinese to Mexican. 

Macedon Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2018

70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay.

Hand-harvested from the Cleveland vineyard in the Macedon Ranges, March 2018, this Methode Traditionelle this is their flagship sparkling wine, having spent 3 years ageing on lees in bottle.

Aromas of white flowers, brioche pastry and citrus alongside grilled peaches. The fine mousse carries the lovely rich palate framed by fine natural acidity.  It is in the Extra Brut range with a dosage of 4g/L. Lovely mid-palate berries from the Pinot Noir and almond. Shows excellent length with layers of complexity. I chose to have a glass of this with my lunch in the restaurant afterwards, and it was a great food match with a range of dishes.

Macedon Sparkling Pinot Noir Rouge 2018

100% Pinot Noir.

Hand-harvested from the Cleveland vineyard in the Macedon Ranges on March 2018, this Methode Traditionelle was disgorged in October 2021 after 3 years on lees.

Made in the style of a classic sparkling red, this wine displays hallmark aromas of wild strawberries and red cherries with notes of spice and subtle earthiness. The medium-bodied palate is carried along by a combination of fine tannin and soft acidity. The fine bead further expresses the elegant light to medium bodied palate with some lovely berry fruit characteristics in the mid-palate. It has a dosage 19g/L, but due to the balance with tannins it tastes as dry.  Food pairing suggestions are home-baked turkey or roast pork with crackling.

See website here.

COLDSTREAM AREA

Situated in the centre of the wine map, this area boasts some of the big sparkling names of the region.

Punt Road Wines

All Punt Road wines are produced from the more than 150 acres of estate-grown vineyards in Coldstream. A family-owned vineyard and winery, creating wines with careful reflection of the heritage of this site, and the independent, creative energy of the Yarra Valley.

Grapes have been grown at this site since 1861. Hubert de Castella, one of the original Swiss vignerons of the Valley along with the De Purys of Yeringberg, pioneered winemaking in Victoria, and won trophies for his wines the world over. The family say they’re proud that this magnificent vineyard is still winning trophies today.

The vine cuttings that were planted in de Castella’s vineyard were sourced from the ‘Airlie Bank’ vineyard, located where punts once carried people and horses across the Yarra River from Jolimont into South Yarra before the Punt Road bridge was built. Now, the winery is in Coldstream, nestled amongst the Napoleone Vineyards (planted in 1987) and apple orchards. The Napoleone family have been growing fruit in the Yarra Valley since 1948, when Giuseppe Napoleone emigrated from Abruzzo and planted an apple orchard in Wandin.

As you come down the driveway of Canadian maple trees, a Pink Lady apple block is on the left, and the Block 12 Pinot Noir on the right (planted in 2009 after the Black Saturday bushfires raced through the property). All the fruit for their wines (and the ciders they produce) come from this property.

The cool climate of the Yarra Valley and the fertile soil of the site allows them to craft elegant, detailed wines that are winning awards. Hubert De Castella would be proud.

Aside from the Cellar Door, they sometimes have ‘pop-ups’ with food trucks. An Orchard Bar for cider, including cocktails and calvados. There’s also a monthly Farmers Market. After your tasting you can order wine by glass and enjoy with cheese platters.

The Cellar Door offers a 30-minute seated tasting experience, with accompanying nibbles, showcasing five of their favourite wines, but you must book in advance. In 2021, they were awarded Gourmet Traveller’s Best Yarra Valley Tasting Experience.  On my visit, I chose to taste their sparklings, of which there were three.

Airlie Bank NV Yarra Cuvée

85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir.

The NV Airlie Bank sparkling blend is sourced from within the Yarra Valley. Small portions were barrel fermented and given extended time on lees to build texture and complexity. Aromas of citrus fruits and subtle apricot, complemented by a doughy, bready complexity. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a focused palate structure of apple blossom and citrus characters with complex brioche notes.

Airlie Bank NV Yarra Rosé

82% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Noir.

Small portions were barrel fermented and given extended time on lees to build texture and complexity. The wine is fresh and vibrant with a focused nose and palate of orange blossom, delicate strawberry, lemon, and complex brioche notes.

Punt Road Yarra Valley 2015 Sparkling

90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir.

Hand-picked from the Napoleone vineyard. Methode Traditionelle, aged for 3 years on lees. Complexity on the mid-palate with lovely creamy bead, low dosage creating a dry crisp finish.

See website here.

St Hubert’s

Established in 1862 as one of the first wineries in the region, St Hubert’s helped position the area as a premium wine-producing location, before championing the Yarra Valley’s wine renaissance in the 1960s.

As one of the pioneers of premium winemaking in the area, St Hubert’s sought to upgrade their Cellar Door experience and were closed for renovation in recent years to re-open, having created an innovative premium cellar door experience.  The Cellar Door and tasting room is located under a hill created in the lawn overlooking the vines – a unique entrance that gives the impression of a subterranean building. Inside you’ll find sleek and stylish interior design, and the rich-looking tasting room, wine shop and art gallery below. They serve a small selection of local cheeses and charcuterie to accompany your wine experience.

Under the Cellar Door roofline they house a wine shop, showcasing not only their own wines, but also focusing on emerging varieties or new wine making techniques, and stocking up to 70 different wines from other brands from other regions across Australia. These wines are free to taste whilst you browse the range in store.

St Hubert produces three sparklings in their ranges, one from the Stag range and one from the St Hubert’s range. The tasting room offers two tasting flights where you can choose three wines from either the Stag range or the Premium tasting flight from the St Hubert’s range, which includes their two Méthode Traditionelle sparklings.

NV The Stag Blanc de Blanc

100% Chardonnay.

This is a Charmat method, fresh and zesty with primary fruit flavours and good acidity. It’s 8.5g/L dosage, dry and crisp. 

2015 St Hubert’s Blanc de Noir

99% Pinot Noir and 1% Chardonnay.

Méthode Traditionelle from carefully selected parcels of Yarra Valley fruit. Hand-picked, gently whole bunch pressed and fermented in the bottle. The wine has 6 years on lees. A dosage of 6.5 g/L

The colour is pale to medium straw with bronze hues and a fine, persistent bead. The aromas include orange blossom, apple and hints of fresh bread, bees wax and almond meal. On the palate, beautiful fine mousse precedes a creamy and rich and yet tightly structured. Crisp apple crunch, nougat, French pastry, and citrus blossoms are evident. The wine is restrained and vibrant, and the finish is long.

2015 Sparkling Rose

100% Pinot Noir.

Upper Yarra Pinot Noir made Méthode Traditionnelle, 6 years on lees. Lovely pale pink in colour. Aromas and flavours are apple pie, nutty nougat, faint red currant, and blood orange. A supple mousse with balanced acidity and good drive. A dosage of 6–7g/L it is dry on the palate and a lovely salty finish with hints of pepper spice.

See website here.

Yering Station

With vines first planted in 1838, Yering Station is proudly Victoria’s first vineyard. A jewel of the Yarra Valley, they produce world-class cool climate wines from our vineyards, which are famously renowned for their expressive varietal integrity. After changing hands several times throughout the early-to-mid 1900s, Yering Station was purchased by the Rathbone family in 1996.

As lovers of wine with a rich family background in agriculture and engineering, their purchase of Yering Station marked the beginning of their wonderful wine journey. A true family operation, the Rathbones went on to build what is now an icon of the region. A simple and pure vision powered their passion.

“When we first started out in 1996, our ambition was to simply make great wine.” – Darren Rathbone, CEO and Winemaker.

Considered one of the region’s leading wineries, the wines attract attention and admiration from wine lovers across the globe. So too does this estate. It’s a little like a destination with its historic Cellar Door, a converted barn event space, and the stunning signature restaurant with amazing architectural design overlooking the vineyards, making for a truly unforgettable Yarra Valley wine experience.  I first visited here around 18 years ago when I was a judge in the Victorian Tourism Awards. Over three years, I judged many places and this visit stays with me as one of the most memorable experiences. The winery is visually stunning and that alone makes it outstanding, but it was also the passion of Darren Rathbone who showed me around and at each different location at the winery, introduced me to the team member responsible for that area that clearly demonstrated the sense of pride that each everyone had in this place. Victorian Tourism Award winners they became that year and then successfully went on to achieve Hall of Fame status.

Bookings are recommended for the restaurant, and you can also order picnic hampers from the restaurant to picnic in the grounds.

The heritage Cellar Door and wine store is housed in the original winery building circa 1859. The tasting bar experience provides a guided tasting by a team member. The educational nature of the tastings takes visitors on a wine journey through the Yering Station wines.

The Cellar Door is open seven days a week, tastings at the Tasting Bar are on a walk-in basis, and there is no need to book unless your guest numbers are 10 or more. There are three options for a progressive wine journey through their collections either the Village series – Yarrabank and Estate or Single Vineyard and Reserve. Different pricing for each with tasting fees redeemable on purchase. Groups can also book a Private Group Tasting or Wine Tasting and Grazing experience by adding food pair options of cheese plates or shared grazing plates, held either in the Scarlett Room or upstairs in Matt’s Bar.  For the ultimate experience, there a Deluxe Tour and Tasting (min 6 people) which is an indulgent varietal-specific wine journey. Choose your varietal journey from their flagship Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Shiraz Viognier. Experience includes a glass of Yarrabank Sparkling, a guided tour of the underground cellar, 6 tasting wines from the Estate, Reserve and Museum collections along with crackers and breads for tasting accompaniments. 

Yarrabank is the sparkling brand of Yering Station. This is another Yarra Valley sparkling with a French connection as this highly successful sparkling brand was established as a joint venture between Champagne Devaux and Yering Station in 1993.  I tasted two different cuvées on my visit.

2013 Yarrabank Cuvée

56% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir.

A centuries-old tradition from Champagne meets modern Yarra Valley winemaking, made in methode traditionelle. A beautiful palate celebrating the union of Pinot richness and Chardonnay vibrancy. Hints of vanilla slice and citrus fruits are supported by an elegant oyster-shell minerality. The colour is ripe golden straw with a fine, persistent bead.

Complex aromas of toasty Anzac biscuits, ginger spice, and honey, with fresh fruits of ripe summer plums and orange zest.

Lovely delicate on the palate balance of rich biscuit-y flavours and fresh vibrant fruits of red apples, citrus and tart strawberries. A lovely creamy mousse and with 4g/L dosage it has a refreshing aperitif finish that is long and rewarding.

2013 Yarrabank Brut Rosé

56% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir.

Also methode traditionelle, this is a similar blend to the cuvée, but using the assemblage method to create the rosé, it has had 1% of still red Pinot Noir added to create the colour, which is a lovely light salmon pink. On the nose it has interesting earthy aromas and on the palate flavours of citrus, melon, and hints of strawberry, along with freshly baked bread, which adds to the complexity. A long, lively mouth feel with fine bubbles, tight acidity and a sumptuous texture providing a crisp, dry finish and strong persistence. 7g/L dosage.

See website here.

Chandon

Sixty years ago, Robert-Jean de Vogüé of Moët en Chandon and an assortment of his closest friends set out to redefine luxury sparkling wine. They decided the only way to bring it into the modern world was to take it far, far from home. That journey of rediscovery began in Argentina and eventually took them to California, Brazil, China, India and, of course, all the way to Australia.

John Wright, who ran Chandon California at the time, took a risk on our land of opportunity. He visited Victoria in 1982 and was chuffed with the can-do spirit of the Australians. The boss, Phillipe Coulon, visited soon after and gave his tick of approval. They then tasked the legendary oenologist Tony Jordan with the unenviable task of finding the perfect land to begin a vineyard.

As the story goes, if Tony had just thrown a rock in any direction, he probably could have hit a decent piece of land for winemaking. But Tony wanted something truly special – a cool-climate area with enough diversity of terroir to give him all the blending options he could dream of. The Yarra Valley was the natural choice, and Tony loved it so much he couldn’t leave. The first cuvées were released in 1989 under the new Chief Winemaker and head rock thrower, the one and only Tony Jordan.

Creating sparkling wineries outside of Champagne allows the winemakers freedom to explore all sorts of techniques that cannot be used under the strict rules and regulations of Champagne. You can read more about this on our blog – Why that’s not a glass of champagne that you’re drinking – when I interviewed the Chandon winemaker Dan Buckle.

I love the Chandon Cellar Door, and have visited many times over the years, beginning in the mid-1990s this was also a stop on our TAFE tour guide training itinerary, the guided tour and instruction on Methode Traditionelle winemaking here was superb. Some of my more recent visits include celebrating here on the first stop an itinerary with a group of 50 of my closest friends for one of my milestone birthdays.

The full tour through the winery, bottling line, riddling hall, finishing with a breathtaking reveal to the Green Point room, is no longer in the program, but there are still some amazing experiences here.  The name Green Point came from the point in the apex of the valley that was the first point to turn green after summer.

Dining experiences include the restaurant where you can have a three course chef’s menu matched with sparkling wines. The Lounge Bar offers small plates to enjoy with a glass of sparkling or tasting flight, a Sparkling Brunch on weekends or a Chandon Garden Spritz picnic.

Cellar Door tasting experience now include The Foundation Tasting, The Exploration Tasting, or the Chandon Sparkling Masterclass, which allows you to take a leisurely stroll through the grounds and the fabulous Riddling Hall before finishing in the privacy of the Whitlands tasting room.

You may be familiar with Chandon available everywhere in bottle shops, bars and restaurants, but the special feature of the Cellar Door visit is special releases of blends and vintages that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are a few examples.

Chandon Vintage Brut Rosé 2015

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier.

Methode Traditionelle. Pale pink, with peach skin hues and very fine bubbles. Classic Pinot Noir stone fruit aromas, peach, and background cranberry notes in the foreground, while in the background fresh dough and biscuit characters derived from long yeast ageing. In the mouth, there is a sense of finesse and delicacy. Pinot Noir fruit characters of red berry and ripe peach are on display, with some grapefruit in the background very fine acidity completes the picture, with length of flavour.  Suggested food pairing is perfect with fresh salmon or trout, and terrific with gruyere cheese.

Chandon Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2016

100 % Chardonnay.

Methode Traditionelle. Pale straw with green hues, very fine bubbles, and persistent mousse. Quince, subtle praline, lemon myrtle, seaspray, green pear. A subtle cinnamon spice element derived from oak barrels. Citrus and quince flavours on the palate, with delightful acidity and tension, soft texture with very fine bubbles. Suggested food pairing is sea urchin, Port Phillip Bay mussels with creamy tarragon sauce, and scallops with Thai basil.

Chandon Late Disgorged 2008

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

Methode Traditionelle. Pale yellow in the glass, with fine bead and mousse. Complex and delicate lemon verbena, bergamot, lime, baked apple, fresh dough, and meringue aromas. Palate is fine with citrus character and surprising freshness, soft pillowy bubbles, and lovely toast finish. Suggested food pairing with asparagus and goats cheese tart, citrus pavlova and Xiao Long Bao dumplings.

See website here.

Oakridge

Oakridge is a family-owned winery, restaurant, and Cellar Door, originally established in 1978 alongside a ridge of oak trees – hence the name. Oakridge has grown to become an internationally recognised producer of award-winning wines and must-visit Yarra Valley destination.

As a pioneer of the wine growing region of the upper Yarra Valley, Oakridge is known for producing distinctive single-vineyard wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Leading the winery team is Chief Winemaker (and Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year for 2017) David Bicknell.

The Oakridge restaurant is a hatted restaurant, and the beautiful food showcasing local produce including their own kitchen garden is wonderfully enhanced by the amazing views. Floor to ceiling windows that provide a vista looking out over the vineyard creates that “Wow!” factor and is the perfect place for a long gourmet lunch. There is also the option for casual dining with local produce plates on the terrace.  The restaurant is open four days a week, so you need to plan ahead if you want to include lunch.

At the Cellar Door there are seated premium tasting experiences to choose from. The Oakridge Experience is the option to taste a curated selection of five Oakridge award-winning wines that epitomise their house style. The 864 Single Block Flight explores their highly acclaimed 864 range, as well as the Chardonnay Masterclass to take a journey through the upper Yarra Valley, renowned for producing world-class chardonnay. Reflecting the unique terroir, contrast back vintages and new releases and discover the subtle nuances of each wine.   You can also ask to taste by the selecting a few items, which is what I did to taste the sparkling wines. They have two beautiful vintage sparklings, and these are the vintages I tasted during my visit:

2015 Sparkling Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

Oakridge’s 2015 release of the Local Vineyard Series Blanc de Blancs is Methode Traditionelle, aged on yeast lees for 52 months, which is a long time for an Australian sparkling. With minimal dosage to showcase this beautiful style. Aromas include glazed pastry, sourdough, and green nectarine … so lightly toasty and fresh, and the yeast and a clotted cream character add a sense of depth. The palate is creamy and textural with a delicate with a lacy web of acidity interwoven throughout. Cream, yeast, granny smith apples and buttery pastry flavours flow along before finishing with a preserved lemon-like tang. Flavoursome, complex, and vibrant from start to finish.

2018 Oakridge Sparkling Meunier Rosé

100% Pinot Meunier.

The Yarra Valley has three distinct geographic zones or sub-regions – lower warmer, middle cool and higher cooler sub-regions. Oakridge match particular varieties with the specific sites to give you outstanding examples of single vineyard wines.  100% Pinot Meunier (or also known as Meunier) is rare, it is usually used in a blend with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, known to balance out the other two.  I first tasted one in Champagne, and I’ve only tasted one other in Australia.  It really shines as something different, and I highly recommend trying it.

For this wine, single vineyard grapes were hand-picked and chilled overnight before whole bunch pressing to tank for a natural first fermentation. 20% was fermented in old oak to add complexity. Methode Traditionelle for the second fermentation and aged on lees for 2 years. A dosage of 8.5g/L

The colour is a lovely pale apricot-rose with a bright copper hue. Strong meaty pinot aromas, notes of French pastry and cake over flashes of berries and summer pudding. The palate is initially all creamy, textural, and round and flavoured with summer pudding, biscuits and red berries, then the bright acidity snaps the wine into line adding persistence and refreshment.

See website here.

Dominque Portet

Ninth-generation winemaker Dominique Portet chose the cool climate of aptly named Coldstream in the Yarra Valley as home to the winery he founded in 2000. It was the culmination of a detailed search for grape growing terroir to rival that of his native Bordeaux – but also the start of a new chapter in a winemaking story that has its roots in France in the early 1700s.

Dominque’s first introduction to the world of wine started when he was young when his father André Portet was a vineyard and winery manager of a prestigious winery in France. As an adult, he later spent vintages in the Médoc, Rhône Valley, Provence and with Champagne giant Moët et Chandon, as well as in the Napa Valley at his brother Bernard’s Clos du Val estate.

We should all be very grateful that he chose to come to Australia in 1976, where he has been a pioneer of the renaissance of Australia’s cool-climate wine industry, founding the renowned sparkling wine houses of Taltarni in the Pyrenees in Victoria and Clover Hill in Tasmania.  When I interviewed the Cellar Door Manager of Clover Hill for one of our sparkling masterclasses a few years ago, he shared some of the background with me, and how Clover Hill still attributes the success of launching that brand to Dominque Portet. At the same time working alongside another amazing sparkling maker Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon who spent time helping to create the sparkling wine industry in Tasmania at Jansz and is now the Chef de Cave at Louis Roederer (including Cristal). Both men are legends of the sparkling wine industry, and we’re fortunate to have had their influence in Australia and that Dominque chose to establish his namesake winery here in the Yarra Valley.

He has just been awarded the ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite agricole’ (Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit) by the French Government in recognition for outstanding contributions to agriculture. The Order, which was established in 1883 by France’s Ministry of Agriculture, is one of the most important recognitions awarded in France. Dedicating his life to winemaking in France and Australia, Dominique’s distinguished career continues to shape the landscape of winemaking in Australia.

“I found fragrance and structure – most of all the structure reminds me of Bordeaux. The Yarra has a charm, a beauty that engulfs you. The wines are worldly.”

Today, his son Ben heads the winemaking team. Along with the incredible lineage and pedigree that comes with being a 10th generation winemaker, Ben has benefited from the wisdom and experiences of many. That began with four vintages at the renowned Adelaide University finishing school of Brian Croser and Con Moshos at Petaluma in the Adelaide Hills. Internationally he has worked in France in Bordeaux and Champagne at Louis Roederer, as well as South Africa and California’s Napa Valley. Since returning to the Dominique Portet Winery in 2008, he has not only continued the pioneering family wine craftsmanship, but also been a leading industry judge, completing the Len Evans Tutorial scholarship.

The Cellar Door and restaurant’s French Provincial design highlights the French heritage. Set against the rolling hills, you can dine and take in views of the vineyard and Yarra Valley. The recently renovated L’Apéro restaurant offers indoor dining set amongst the wine barrels or outdoor dining on the terrace.  L’Apéro dining is based on the French ritual that combines drinks, food, and friends. The menu features a selection of seasonal French-inspired small plates to share, served à la carte. The restaurant is open 5 days a week, so choose your days if you want to dine. The Cellar Door is open 7 days, walk-ins are possible, but bookings are suggested for wine experiences that include the Estate Tour and Tasting – a behind the scenes tour of the estate and private tasting room experience. The Portet’s have been producing rosé in Australia since 1989 and the Le Tour De Rosé experience encompasses three different styles – their sparkling Brut Rosé, their highly-regarded Fontaine Rosé, and a new addition – Single Vineyard Rosé – served with charcuterie and cheese. The André Experience, which is around two and half hours, begins with one of Dominique Portet’s experienced wine educators on a behind-the-scenes tour of the estate, then a tutored wine tasting in the André room, perched above the working winery, where guests will taste through a curated selection of Dominique Portet current Yarra Valley releases including single vineyard wines and the flagship André Cabernet Sauvignon. Lunch is then enjoyed in the bistro, where their head chef draws on Bordeaux roots to create a three-course menu of French family classics, with matched wines.

My tasting experience on this visit is one I will always remember. As you will have gathered, I love everything about sparkling, and the stories and history as well.  Here, due to happenstance, I got to meet a sparkling wine legend Mr Dominque Portet himself. I had booked a private tasting in the André room, and our host was very knowledgeable. I was curious about the history of Dominque’s role in the sparkling industry here in Australia and I was asking a lot of questions.  A few of my questions our host was unsure about but said he could find out and get back to me. When we looked into the winery below, we noticed Dominque walking through.  Our host excused himself, and a few minutes later brought Dominque in to meet me and chat about my questions and talk me through some of the vintages we were tasting.  Some people you just click with, and this was a heart-warming exchange that I will always treasure as Dominque generously shared time talking about the foundations of sparkling wine in Tasmania, his friendship at the time with Jean Baptiste, and then establishing here in the Yarra Valley.

Natalie Pickett gets to meet Dominique Portet himself!

These are the sparklings that I tasted on my visit:

2015 Dominique Portet Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

Fruit for this sparkling wine comes from the same vineyard used for their highly-awarded Origine Chardonnay – a mature site in the Upper Yarra Valley with volcanic red soils on a steep, fast-draining slope at a relatively high altitude of 250m. The elevation makes for cooler growing environment, and picked early (mid-February) to seek acidity while the grapes are still green and bright. 2016 was a stunning vintage – mild and dry – and perfect for Chardonnay and sparkling production.

Hand-picked when the fruit showed plenty of acidity in the green apple and lime spectrum. Whole bunches were pressed using a traditional Champagne cycle – very gently to retain optimum freshness. Fermentation took place in tank and left on lees for 6 months prior to tirage in bottle. Made Methode Traditionelle, the wine is aged in bottle for 3 years before being disgorged and then aged a further 12 months to allow the wine to come together. Dosage is a low 4g/L to ensure fruit purity retention and give a crisp, mouth-watering, energetic style of sparkling.

Palest yellow colour with a fine bead. It’s fresh and lithe, lemon rind leads the bouquet, the faintest hint of brioche, vanilla, praline, and grapefruit. Delightful when sipped, piercing, pristine fruit, green apple acidity. A wine of great length and continued promise.

Dominique Portet NV Brut Rosé

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.

The grapes for this Methode Traditionelle sparkling came from two elevated vineyards (250m) in the Upper Yarra. The grapes were hand-picked, gently pressed, and fermented before going through secondary fermentation in bottle. The wine was then aged for two years in cool, temperature-controlled cellars, then disgorged and given a light dosage prior to release.

2006 Dominique Portet Cuveé Tasmania

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.

Paying homage to his time in Tasmania, this special release Methode Traditionelle sparkling made in Tasmania is only available at the Cellar Door.

See website here.

Rochford Estate

Rochford Wines begins with owner and CEO Helmut Konecsny, who has always been the driving force behind this dynamic wine business since first purchasing the land in 2002. A family business at heart, Helmut’s passion for Yarra Valley wine, great food, service, and entertainment has seen Rochford expand exponentially over the years.

After many years in the corporate world in Australia and overseas, Helmut purchased a vineyard in Macedon Ranges where the concept for Rochford Wines first began. While still commuting to his corporate obligations and managing the vineyard, the opportunity to purchase ‘Eyton on the Yarra’ came to Helmut’s attention. With its old vine plantings, proximity to Melbourne and highway frontage, the potential to develop the site into something truly special was immediately apparent. And so, Rochford Wines of the Yarra Valley was born.

Now producing award-winning wines, Rochford encompasses three vineyard sites, two restaurants, a wedding and functions venue, and a huge 12,000 capacity outdoor concert amphitheatre that hosts the popular concert series – A Day on the Green – amongst other headlining acts. The dreams Helmut had for Rochford Wines are being realised – to create a place that captivates the senses and provides memorable experiences for all who visit.

Nestled in the hub of Rochford, the Cellar Door is a celebration of vineyard and winery combined. “Explore and learn about the grapes we grow, the wine we craft and the legacy we are building for the future.”

With a range of tasting options designed to explore their extensive collection of wines, and facilities to cater for a range of needs, the Cellar Door is a favourite for local and international groups visiting the area.  The ethos is to produce sparkling wines with personality that are true to the vineyard site and the weather patterns that have shaped it. I tasted four sparklings on my visit.

Rochford Single Vineyard Isabella’s Blanc de Blanc 2017

100% Chardonnay.

Hand-picked on 10th February 2017, gently whole bunch pressed according to time-honoured Methode Traditionelle to retain crisp acidity. The first fermentation is done in temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation vessels and inoculated with specialist yeast for sparkling wine. Secondary fermented in the bottle and aged on lees for at least 18 months. The aromas are jasmine, preserved lemon and sea-spray/saline. Lively on the palate where the mousse flows freely. Flavours are led by lemon and lime yet finish with a pleasing maritime brine.

Rochford Single Vineyard Isabella’s Blanc de Blanc 2018

100% Chardonnay.

This 2018 Blanc de Blanc sparkling was made entirely from their single vineyard estate-grown chardonnay. After tank fermentation and assemblage, the second fermentation is Methode Traditionelle.  Aged on lees for a least 2 years. The colour is medium to pale yellow straw. Mineral aromas of wet slate blossom to lemon sours, citrus burst, and sherbet tones. An evolution on the palate of immediate presence of wholemeal toasted muffins and lemon butter, which broadens to mouth-filling texture on the middle palate. The palate then tightens to fine, crisp but juicy acid on the finish with a delicate dry tannin aftertaste.

Rochford Single Vineyard Swallowfield Sparkling Rosé 2018

100% Pinot Noir.

Swallowfield is in Gembrook, making it the southernmost vineyard in the Yarra Valley, with its rich quartz soil making it ideal for Pinot Noir. This is the second vintage rosé from this vineyard, the 2018 harvest being known for great yields and quality fruit. Lifted nose of strawberry top, spiced clove, and yeasty notes of cinnamon bun. The palate has gentle sweetness of wild berries and stone fruit with a pillowy soft texture, yet also has an incisiveness to its acid line that gives that refreshment factor.

Rochford Prosecco NV

87% Glera 87%, 13% Chardonnay.

Charmat method. Australian Prosecco is a vibrant sparkling wine style, and this wine displays the colour of pale straw with lime hues. The nose is floral and crisp green apple. These aromas lead to a palate brimming with apple, hints of honeydew and pink grapefruit notes with a zesty finish.

See website here.

Levantine Hill

Levantine Hill is the perfect merger of two vineyards in the heart of the Yarra Valley. On one side, a vineyard producing superior grapes since the 1990s. On the other, lovingly planted family blocks alongside a truffiére surrounding the family’s homestead. Together, this combined estate is pure testament to the passion and toil of dedicated human hands, and man’s tenuous relationship with the nurturing love of Mother Nature.

It all began against the odds. The piece of the Yarra Valley they chose for their first vineyard was a hill that the experts told them was far too steep and had too many underlying rocky outcrops, making it impossible to plant viable vines. Not to be deterred, the family saw what was possible. The location was incredible, the soil profile was perfect. So, with unwavering determination, and the use of a diamond-tipped drilling rig to remove the rocks, Levantine Hill began to take shape. Today, that impossible hill is the family vineyard, which has the ethos that they will only ever bottle premium wines in impeccable years.  Rising from the shores of the Yarra River at 75 metres and peaking at 225 meters above sea level, Levantine Hill vines thrive in looking out over steep clay loam slopes, at similar elevations to the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis, France.

Everything about this vineyard and Cellar Door experience sings quality. The architecture and interiors are opulent, the landscaped grounds are an open-air gallery displaying sculptures and paintings, an expansive lawn area is home to the Chairman’s helipad, you can arrive from the heliport in Melbourne’s CBD in the ‘Levantine Hill’ badged helicopter for the ultimate Cellar Door and restaurant experience.

There is bar-style seating in the Cellar Door for tastings with views and vistas over the vineyards and sculpture gardens. If dining, you can also include a tasting flight as part of your experience, and there is an inner circle room for private tastings for 2–12 people, and some amazing Chairman’s experiences available combining the heliflight.

I arrived by road with my designated driver, which is also an impressive arrival experience.  Each of the Levantine Hill sparklings are premium wines from vintages to showcase impeccable years. On my visit I did the seated Cellar Door sparkling tasting flight of three sparklings. The tasting notes for each wine are on a separate card, with the wine notes on the front and a suggested food pairing and recipe on the back.

2012 Méthode Traditionelle Sparkling

53% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir.

The 2012 vintage is known as one of the finest in the Yarra Valley for that decade. The ideal conditions presented the opportunity for Levantine Hill to follow-up its inaugural 2010 sparkling Méthode Traditionnelle with a similar blend from an almost mirror image vintage. The intention was to allow this cuvee to age for a period of 5 years on lees to further enhance its intensity and breadth of expression – displaying a freshness and vitality of bead and mousse that defy its extended ageing. This traditional method sparkling wine from a multitude of blended components features aromas of cider apples, citrus, rockmelon, white flowers, and frangipani tart. The Pinot Noir elements come to the fore on the palate adding richness and width to the saline and oyster shell line of the Chardonnay. The extended ageing on lees has conferred weight and texture with crème anglais richness. Beautifully balanced acidity, honey suckle, biscuit with lovely length and bead.  There is now a late disgorged version of this sparkling available, and we’re also awaiting the next vintage release. 

2013 Sparkling Blanc de Blanc

100% Chardonnay.

The protracted growing season allowed a drawn-out ripening, resulting in an uncommon richness of flavour tempered by the abundant natural acidity contributed by the season.

A bouquet of nashi pear-glazed brioche, lemon cheesecake, and amaretti biscuit. Flavours of nougat, lemon rind, jasmine and chestnut underpin a palate line of steely acidity with delicate bubble, fruit weight in the mid-palate of peach and earthy ‘on lees’ characters providing textural accompaniment, richness, and creaminess to the finish. Delightfully delicate on the palate, an excellent match for freshly shucked oysters or semi-hard cow’s milk cheeses.  Since my visit, the 2018 vintage has been released.

2015 Sparkling Rosé

100% Pinot Noir.

2015 was even better and is widely hailed as the greatest Yarra Valley vintage of the decade. This presented the opportunity for Levantine Hill to follow-up the inaugural 2014 Sparkling Rosé, following the appointment of winemaker Paul Bridgeman in 2013. This led to the creation of a finite quantity of single vineyard Sparkling Rosé. Displaying a fineness and vitality of bead that defies its extended ageing, this 2015 traditional method Sparkling Rosé is produced using the ‘saignee’ method (meaning to bleed in French), and it has had gentle skin contact to create the rose colour. This bringing with it an earthy nose with a hint of tannins, with aromas of brioche, strawberry danish, saltbush, rose petal, finger lime, and nutmeg undertones. The Pinot Noir announces its presence on the palate as richness and bandwidth. The extended ageing on lees has enhanced body and crème anglaise texture over a saline acid backbone with blood orange, cranberry, tarragon, and Campari-like flavours carrying through and prolonging the finish with lovely long length. The food pairing card suggests Blinis with Caviar, Smoked Salmon, and Finger Lime Crème Fraiche.  Since my visit, the 2016 vintage of this sparkling has been released.

See website here.

Coombe Yarra Valley

Once the home of the world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe Yarra Valley is a unique gourmet and cultural destination. Situated among seven acres of stunning gardens, visitors are treated to a world-class dining experience featuring award-winning Coombe Farm wines, against a historic, picturesque backdrop.

Located on seven acres at Coldstream, the property (established in 1909), really is the gateway to the Yarra Valley situated where the roads split to become the Melba and Maroondah Highways. A beautiful a la carte restaurant in the restored motor house and historic clock tower on the estate are destinations to dine and a popular location to celebrate weddings and private events.

The Cellar Door provides tastings of their estate-grown wines. Food options include platters to enjoy with wine or gin on the garden terrace. You can even take a glimpse into Melba’s extravagant life on a guided tour of Coombe Cottage, or the stunning 100-year-old gardens surrounded by 600m of Cyprus hedges.

The Coombe Farm Vineyards are in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Just 5km north of the Melba Estate, the 120-acre Coombe Farm vineyard is one of the oldest in the valley, and is still owned and operated by Melba’s descendants, the Vestey family. The soils are well-suited to vines growing premium cool climate grapes. Having supplied grapes to some of Australia’s most recognised producers, an increasing portion of fruit is now being grown and selected specifically for Coombe Yarra Valley Wines.

I’ve dined in the restaurant here on several occasions, and it was a lunch stop on this trip.  The food and service were both wonderful.  I tasted three sparklings at the Cellar Door before moving to our reserved table in the restaurant. ‘Dining like a diva’ was my social media caption for the day, and I love a great historical story to accompany good food and wine, and this place ticks all the boxes.

Coombe NV Estate Sparkling

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir.

Premium estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir parcels were pressed and fermented separately at cool temperatures to retain their delicate aromatics. For the first fermentation, a portion of each was fermented in one year old French Oak to introduce complexity and weight to the blend, with the balance produced in stainless steel tanks. Secondary fermentation occurred in tank (Charmat method) and the final wine was bottled under pressure. It’s a bright and lively sparkling with aromas of citrus and white acacia and a full balanced palate of golden apples, macadamia, and hints of toasty brioche. A gentle, creamy mousse leads to a long finish. Suggested food pairing with toasted brioche, lobster, watercress and creamy aioli.

2015 Tribute Nellie Melba Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

The acclaimed Blanc de Blancs is Methode Traditionelle from estate-grown Chardonnay. The Tribute Series represents our finest, single site expressions. Aged on lees for 4 years before release, dosage in the Extra Brut range of 6g/L, allowing the wine to maintain the fresh, dry style you expect from a quality Blanc de Blancs.  This Nellie Melba Blanc de Blancs is distinctly Yarra Valley, with delicate hints of citrus, chalk, and spice scented flowers. The palate is vibrant, fresh, and lifted, with notes of tangy grapefruit and melon and a seamless, persistent bead. There is a fullness in the mouth, with a hint of creamy brioche and pristine lemon acidity. Suggested food pairing is freshly shucked oysters, with green apple mignonette and cucumber wasabi granita.

NV Estate Sparkling Shiraz

100% Shiraz.

I tasted the 2019 vintage on my visit. The sparkling shiraz is now a non-vintage using the 2019 as a reserve wine and bringing in later vintages.  Subtle aromatics of plum dark cherries, warm toffee, purple plums, sawn oak with a lift of raspberry. A medium-weighted palate being bright rather than brooding.  A pop of cherry and ripe raspberry, Christmas spice with a touch of marzipan, all flowing into a balanced finish of sweet fruit, dosage, and bead. Suggested food pairing is breakfast(!) – Spanish baked eggs, on chorizo, red pepper and beans, tomato, paprika and baby spinach.

See website here.

YARRA GLEN to HEALESVILLE

Vineyards in this area encompasses the sub region surrounding the small country towns of Yarra Glen and Healesville.

Greenstone Vineyards

On the edge of the town of Yarra Glen at the base of the Christmas Hills, this Cellar Door is like a unique local secret that you might only know about it if you know someone who knows, or of course are a follower of The Bubbles Review!  The winery has an interesting history and the winemaking facilities are big for a small Cellar Door. The reason for this is that Greenstone Vineyards was established in Heathcote in 2003 by global industry leaders David Gleave MW (Liberty Wines UK), Alberto Antonini (Poggiotondo) and renowned Australian viticulturist Mark Walpole. With a change of ownership in early 2015 to the Melbourne Jiang family, the success of Greenstone’s Heathcote wines led the team to explore opportunities and expand their repertoire.

The requirement to find the best locations for each varietal led the search to the Yarra Valley and acquisition of the Sticks Winery and vineyards, which was originally established as Yarra Ridge in 1983 by Melbourne Lawyer Louis Bialkower (a close friend and colleague of Australian wine legend James Halliday who assisted in the planting of the vineyard). On 33 hectares, the vineyard quickly gained recognition as a prime site for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, this is the home of the Cellar Door and Winery of Greenstone Vineyards.

“We take a sustainable approach to grape-growing, respecting and protecting these ancient sites”.

I met with John, the Cellar Door Manager, who showed me through the winemaking facilities and provided the tasting at Cellar Door.  The Cellar Door has a simple rustic feel, with large windows looking out over the deck that looks over the vineyard undulating down to the Yarra Valley and Ranges beyond.  A simple blackboard menu of platters, gourmet pies and sausage rolls is available. They also cater for private tastings and events.

Greenstone Estate Series 2011 Méthode Traditionelle

54% Pinot Noir, 46% Chardonnay.

Hand-picked and whole cluster pressed, the pristine juice was cold settled overnight. The Pinot Noir was racked together, while the Chardonnay stood alone. The first fermentation was done separately, with a very small portion (15%) in 5-year-old French hogshead oak vessels to provide complexity.

Aged on lees in tank and oak until tirage (into bottle for second fermentation) in November 2012, it was then aged in bottle on lees for 4 years.

Aromas provide a hint of oak and honeysuckle, the palate gives flavours of crunchy apple, pear, citrus, oyster shell, the fine mousse finishes with a creamy elegance.

NV Gusto Frizzante

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and a dash of Sauvignon Blanc.

From their Gusto range, frizzante means fizzy, and usually indicates a gentle fizz with light bubbles.  It’s an easy drinking style, perfect for relaxed summer days.  For this interesting blend, grapes were chosen from vineyard and sites for best for each varietal including King Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and their own Estate Yarra Valley vineyard.

Picked in the early morning to ensure freshness, fruit is pressed into tank upon arrival at the winery. The clean juice then undertook co-fermentation of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio in stainless steel and left on lees to build texture and complexity. An addition of Pinot Noir added for structure and complexity with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc to liven the aromatics. 7g/L of dosage added to balance the natural acidity. A light carbonation creates a textural, light easy drinking sparkle on the palate.

A bit of pear and crisp green apple on the nose. On the palate expect a soft mouthfeel bursting with flavours of quince, pear, and citrus.

Their serving suggestion is best served chilled and with friends! We think fresh oysters, any manner of seafood or, if that’s not your thing, just drink it by itself – you’ll love it!

2016 Port Phillip Sparkling

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir.

This one is only available at Cellar Door. It’s a bit of a cleanskin style label with a blend of Upper Yarra Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from the Mornington Peninsula. It’s spent 18 months on lees in the first fermentation, and then the carbonation method used for creating the bubbles. It still in the brut range with a dosage of 11g/L. Aromas of sweet citrus blossom and cranberry. On the palate it tastes as medium to dry, with fruit tingle, apple, pears, pink grapefruit, and blood orange characters bursting then leaving the palate with savoury after taste. It’s a popular, fun, easy drinking bubbly and a great one for wine cocktails.

See website here.

TarraWarra Estate

‘Tarrawarra’ is a Woiwurrung word that translates approximately as ‘slow moving water’, and is the name given to the area within the Yarra Valley in which the Cellar Door is located.

Founders Marc and Eva Besen purchased the property at TarraWarra in 1979, initially as a family retreat. Thanks to their love of the wines of Burgundy, and with encouragement from legendary Yarra Valley winemaker Dr John Middleton, they planted the first six hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1983. Forty years on, the 400-hectare property now encompasses 28 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, cattle grazing, a kitchen garden and our beautiful Cellar Door and restaurant. The vision to create and share a unique and beautiful place is driven by gratitude to this country that opened its arms and homes when Marc Besen arrived in 1947. The team here say they continue to strive to fulfill his vision for TarraWarra, as custodians, defined by heritage and a deep sense of place.

TarraWarra Estate’s respect for sustainability and provenance make the property an internationally recognised place to visit in the Yarra Valley. The subterranean Cellar Door makes for an unforgettable tasting experience, while the deck – shaded by native peppercorn trees – and with expansive views of our surrounds, is the perfect place to linger over a glass of wine. The restaurant is a special dining experience with a menu inspired by their kitchen garden and local produce.  Outdoor casual dining is sometimes available with food provided by visiting food trucks.

You could easily spend a few hours here as located on the property is the TarraWarra Museum of Art. Since opening its doors to the public in 2003, it has been one of the cultural jewels in the Yarra Valley, providing visitors with a relaxing and enjoyable experience comprising of stunning architecture and a diverse program of exhibitions and events. The Museum of Art captures the vision of its founders, not only wine lovers, but they are also philanthropists and passionate collectors of Australian art from the 1950s to the present day. Not only did they gift the building that houses the Museum, but also a significant portion of their collection of modern and contemporary Australian art for the enjoyment of all visitors.

There was one sparkling on tasting during my visit.

2010 Sparkling Blanc de Blancs

2010 was one of the most ideal vintages, with mild to warm weather throughout the season. This sparkling is made from a single block at TarraWarra, hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, with a long, cool tank ferment. Made Methode Traditionelle the wine has spent 8 years on lees in bottle before disgorging in December 2018. Toasty bread aroma, the palate is very fine with a lovely creaminess. The line of acid gives way to a wonderful persistence of flavour.

See website here.

Boat O’Craigo

50 acres of vines, spanning across two stunning sites, enables Boat O’Craigo to produce estate grown wines across a range of noble varieties. The interesting name comes from Scottish heritage and the same name given to an ancestral family farm located in the town of Craigo near the docking point for the ferry (boat) that crossed the North Esk River.

Years later, the Graham family, with a successful road construction, pursued their love of wine by establishing themselves in the wine business in the late 1990s with the purchase of a unique property at Kangaroo Ground on an extinct volcano. They purchased a second equally unique vineyard in Healesville in 2003, which was the original Graceburn Estate site, with a view to growing and developing the Boat O’Craigo name and offerings. They extended their range and established the Cellar Door here at the foothills of the Black Spur Ranges and bound by the Graceburn Creek. This stunning site was ideal for producing the cooler climate varietals of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.

The Cellar Door has enormous floor to ceiling windows and an outside deck that takes in the vineyard and rolling hills beyond.

The friendly and knowledgeable staff provide guided wine tastings and there is a wide range of premium estate-grown boutique wines available by glass and bottle. They produce two Méthode Traditionelle sparklings, one of which is a sparkling shiraz.  Food is antipasto, pizzas, and salads. Good quality ingredients and works well to share with a table of friends or family. I visited during the summer holidays and enjoyed a lovely lunch sitting up on high tables on the deck with a great view of the vineyard and ranges. There is abundant birdlife, and the occasional kangaroo hopping by, and the staff told me that you might even be lucky enough to see wild deer or an echidna.

2020 Sparkling – Méthode Traditionelle

55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir.

This single vineyard Sparkling Méthode Traditionelle was hand-crafted from selected clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Healesville vineyard. The wine displays elegance and finesse typical of cool climate sparkling. An alluring bouquet of brioche, fresh dough and citrus blossom give way to peach and fresh nectarine on the palate, amplified by an extended period on lees.

2021 Sparkling Shiraz

100% Shiraz.

The original family vineyard at Kangaroo Ground is one of the highest sites in the Yarra Valley and is home to their renowned Black Cameron Shiraz. Taking inspiration from the success and reputation of the Black Cameron Shiraz, the release of the 2021 maiden vintage of Sparkling Shiraz is one they anticipated for many years.

It’s Methode Traditionelle, producing a rich and elegant Sparkling Shiraz. Deep red in colour, with a fine bead that dances in the mouth, and alluring aromas of blackberry, cherry, and spice. It’s only 6g/L of dosage, but gave a bit of sweet berry fruit in the mid-palate and finished dry with a bit of peppery spice.

See website here.

Upper Yarra Valley

A sub region above the Yarra Valley where the climate is known to be cooler.

Seville Estate

Dr Peter McMahon planted the first vines at Seville Estate in Victoria’s Yarra Valley in 1972. At the time others planted in more proven grounds, he chose to call the Upper Yarra home, where he said the climate is cooler and the soil holds the potential to craft wines that inspire us to explore, experiment and excite.

Today, Dr McMahon’s legacy lives on at Seville Estate. His Grandson, Dylan McMahon, is the winemaker. Dylan was on track to become an electronic engineer until he decided to follow his destiny and make wine.  “Our philosophy at Seville Estate is to capture the fruit expression of this unique vineyard, in wine styles that show cool climate complexity and finesse”.

They won the Halliday Winery of the Year Award in 2019. The Cellar Door is set amongst a native garden, high on the ridge of the Upper Yarra Valley with stunning views overlooking the vineyard and beyond.  There are lovely outdoor seating areas perfect for enjoying the wines and surrounds. If you’re planning on a mid-week visit, you’ll need to make a booking as the Cellar Door is open by appointment from Monday–Friday. Saturdays you can arrive without needing to book.

I stayed overnight here and there are a couple of accommodation options.

There is the lovingly restored Seville Homestead, built by Dr Peter McMahon and his wife Margret in 1975. The homestead offers a place to unwind and celebrate family and friends in a stunning contemporary space overlooking the pool area, native gardens, and the distant hills to the west. The homestead features four bedrooms and can accommodate up to eight people.

I stayed in the Vineyard Apartments. Three newly renovated and uniquely styled self-contained apartments that are perfect for couples. Each room features a king bed, ensuite bathroom, a kitchen, and a private balcony. There’s also a wine fridge with Seville Estate wines by the bottle to purchase. Our room looked out over the vineyard and dam.  The morning sunrise over the vineyard and watching the ducks waddle around the dam was a lovely way to wake up.

They make a vintage sparkling, and we enjoyed this in our apartment. 

Seville Estate 2018 Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay.

Fruit is hand-picked and whole bunch pressed.  First fermentation aged on lees for 12 months before Methode Traditionelle for second fermentation in bottle aged for another 32 months.  It is a ‘brut nature’ with zero dosage. The closure for this wine is a crown seal and it will age gracefully. Aromas of bright lifted fruits of melon and grapefruit. Toasted nutty aromas are well integrated with the creaminess from the lees contact. The palate shows fresh melon fruits that evolve into a complex palate with toasty notes of spice, nuts, and citrus. The mouthfeel is a lovely fine bead that finishes dry with great acidity and length.

See website here.

Meletos

If you’re overnighting midweek in the Yarra Valley it can be tricky to find restaurants open. A quick mention for Meletos – not a Cellar Door but restaurant in Coldstream. They open for dinner 7 nights a week and lunch a few days a week. They usually have some nice Yarra Valley sparkling on their wine list. I’ve dined here many times. The menu highlights local produce, they have professional friendly staff, and the cafe style restaurant is a lovely rustic style. See website here.


My Bubbly Journal is the perfect companion for your Sparkling Cellar Door visits! It has tips on tasting techniques and our favourite TBR bubbly quotes. It’s a journal for notes, for planning events and tours, keeping notes on your tastings, cellar door visits, bubbly food matches and there is a bubbly wish list as well!  See our shop page to purchase.


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Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review which is for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! At The Bubbles Review, we like to debunk some myths, make the art of drinking champagne accessible, explore bubbly regions and champagne bars, and provide events for you to join us and indulge.

Adelaide Hills Sparkling Cellar Doors

Located in the Mount Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide, the ‘hills’ are known for their cool climate grape varieties and wines. The highest vineyards are sited between 600-650 metres altitude in areas such as Crafers, Summertown, Piccadilly and Carey Gully. With over 90 wine labels, and 50 cellar doors, they are acknowledged internationally for their distinctive premium wines, viticulture and stunning scenery. 

I had been to the Adelaide Hills before, but it was many years ago. I knew there were some lovely sparklings being produced there, but I hadn’t realised the extent. Diverse in terms of climate, soil and topography, I hadn’t expected to find a sparkling wine paradise. 

An easy day trip from Adelaide, you can be tasting at a Cellar Door in around half an hour. There are two registered sub-regions, Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley, and a lot of sparkling producers are grouped together within easy travelling distance between each other. 

To really relax and have a nice day out, it is much better to book a driver for the day. I spent a few days in the region and travelled with two different companies. Touring Adelaide South Australia, have luxury eight-seat vehicles, and the owner Darryl and his team are Adelaide Hills locals and provide small charters, tours and transfers. This option worked well for me travelling on my own for a day, and I also had a few friends join me for one day of touring, and I booked my transfer to the airport direct from the Adelaide Hills for my flight home with them. Darryl’s motto is “less fuss, with us”, and it was. 

Taste South Australia specialise in wine tours and is owned and run by Mary Anne Kennedy. I’ve known Mary Anne for years through my different roles in the tourism industry, and she has built a strong reputation curating specialist wine tours for international visitors. It was lovely catching up as we toured in her 8-seat Mercedes van, listening to her insights of the local area.

It is great being able to tap into this local knowledge from tour operators, as well as the input of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region association through their team and their website, which has some great search and planning tools, as does the Visit Adelaide Hills website  

I mentioned an easy day trip, but you could easily spend several days here exploring the Sparkling Wines alone.  We were very blessed to have many of these on tasting at The Bubbles Festival Adelaide, and I’ve enjoyed creating some special Bubbly Weekend tour itineraries of the Adelaide Hills for our subscribers, which we hope to be able to offer next year.

I stayed for a few nights in Hahndorf (an ideal spot to be based for local touring), and there are also a few Cellar Doors located in town.

I discovered that there is also amazing sparkling wine heritage in the ‘hills’. I love hearing the stories of the people and meeting these mainly family-owned wineries and winemakers is always one of the highlights of visiting Cellar Doors. Everyone is so passionate about the area, their wines and so friendly that I feel like I made many new friends on my visit.

While this is not a fully inclusive list of the Sparkling Cellar Doors in the region, it highlights some of the region’s top sparklings to help you plan a trip. I’ve included links to each of the Cellar Doors, and I suggest that you check opening times and make bookings in advance. During the COVID pandemic, opening times may change and availability might be limited if there are restrictions.

Penfolds Magill Estate

Magill Estate is a short drive from the Adelaide CBD, with views over the vines, the city, and extending out to the sea. There are two restaurants, with Magill Estate Kitchen offering casual dining, and the Magill Estate Restaurant offering a fine dining experience. You may wonder why I was visiting the ‘home of Grange’ on a sparkling Cellar Doors tour, but this was to experience an Aussie Champagne!

I loved taking the tour of the Cellar Door, with so much Australian wine making history. It all began with Christopher Rawson Penfold, a doctor with an eye for medicinal winemaking, who set about inventing tonics, brandies and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. Yes, I am sure many of us can attest to drinking wine for medicinal purposes! Arriving from England with his wife Mary, they brought with them vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage. In 1844, the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate.

As with many of the great women of Champagne, once again it seems the business growth was under the helm of Mary Penfold. Although success was attributed to Dr Penfold, Mary, it seems, is the unsung chief of Penfolds with many of the experimentations, growth and winemaking philosophies originating from her direction. As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold’s medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold, and on Christopher’s death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery.

Everything she knew about wine, she taught herself – insisting on having the grapes blended to her own taste. A woman standing confidently at the helm of a thriving business in the 1800s was unheard of. She’d command from a white mare, watching over the vineyard with her treasured spyglass close at hand.

When Mary retired, she ceded management to her daughter, Georgina. At the time, Penfolds was producing one third of all South Australia’s wine. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia’s largest winery.

The next big moment in the Penfolds history was in 1948 with the arrival of Max Schubert as the company’s first Chief Winemaker. Known for creating Penfolds Grange in the 1950s (with techniques and varieties he learnt in France), I was surprised to discover the first releases were not popular. The Australian tastes of the time were more suited to a sweeter wine than a dry red table wine. Max was ordered to cease production, but continued to do so in secret, which turned into a blessing – with bottles of Grange now commanding huge prices at auction.

But I wasn’t there for the Grange, I was there for the champagne, and I was very fortunate to have Zöe Warrington, the Penfolds Australian Ambassador, escort me on a private tour. The champagnes are not usually on tasting at the Cellar Door but are available by the glass in the restaurants.

Of course, there are no longer any Australian produced sparkling wines that can be labelled champagne. This co-branded label is a collaboration with family-owned Champagne House Thiénot, which has created the first Penfolds limited release champagne. Thiénot is a respected player in the world of Champagne, but this was also hands-on involvement from Penfolds.  The wines represent the joint efforts of Thiénot, Chef de Cave, Nicolas Uriel who, together with Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker, shared agreed style and quality ambitions, and Peter was hands on throughout the blending and tirage stage to create these champagnes – made from grapes sourced from prestigious and highly regarded Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne from the spectacular 2012 vintage.

The launch was held to symbolically celebrate the Penfold 175th anniversary, and a wonderful French and Australian wine alliance that produces these limited release champagnes.

Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvèe 2012

An inviting pale straw hue, not quite yet revealing or reflecting expectant tints of yellow/gold.

Nose: Rich and complex. Freshly cut hay, honeysuckle, scents of crème brulee and toffee apple. Classic champagne chalk.

Linear and defined. All engulfed by an ethereal, softened and almost fairy floss caress.

Palate: Pecan, Brazil nut, apple and spice. Lovely fruit fullness on the mid-palate finished with seductive tension from the acidity.  Complete and expressive.

Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2012

The ideal was to create an extraordinary 2012 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru. A champagne worthy of celebrating Penfolds past, present and future.

Lovely pale yellow/straw colour it is 100% Chardonnay from Avize.

Nose: A harmonious ascent of citrus (primarily lemon zest) intermingled with wafts of subtle florals (white lily). From the patisserie – just-baked madeleine, a hint of nuttiness (fresh almond) and scents of light honey. Hints of barley sugar/confectionary mingle with delicate white and yellow stone fruits

Palate: Linear and defined. All engulfed by an ethereal, softened and almost fairy floss caress. Notes of lemon sorbet and vanilla pannacotta, with a whisked light cream. A measured generosity of flavour with a suggestion of varietal savouriness and regional chalk. The complete Blanc de Blancs package.

Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru 2012

100% Pinot Noir from the 2012 vintage all Grand Cru parcels from Aÿ.

The colour is pale yellow/straw. The nose has aromas of nuttiness – more pistachio than almond.

Wafts of dried fruits aromatically verge towards that of a freshly assembled potpourri of dried flowers. Puzzlingly marmalade and cumquat high notes bely variety.

Ripe yet delicate. Upon pouring – the faintest suggestion of coffee bean. Upon sitting – crème anglaise lightly laced with dried apricot, wild raspberry. Upon waiting – ‘softened’/desirable phenolics prevail – inducing a defined finish with grip and panache.  Refreshingly long-lasting in mouth.

See website here.

Lambrooks

There is not a Cellar Door, but you may be able to organise tasting activities for groups of friends. Lambrooks have a funky warehouse in the Adelaide suburb of Norwood at which they host some pop-up wine events, as well as being available for hire.

Lambrooks is the husband and wife team of Adam and Brooke Lampit. I met with Adam, who is the winemaker at their warehouse. He told me that they were both working in the industry and knew their way around a bottle of wine. Adam (formerly working as a winemaker at Bird in Hand), is passionate about wine, they wanted to be involved in every part of the process to create their own wine.

Adam explained that Lambrook wine is about craftsmanship, friendship, family, love, passion and bringing out the best of the Adelaide Hills. Each grape variety (mostly hand-picked) comes from a small parcel of fruit, specifically selected for optimum growing potential. Lambrooks use traditional methods like hand plunging and open fermentation, and there is no compromise. If the fruit is not up to scratch, they won’t make the wine. The results are bearing fruit with Lambrook wines now included on lists in top restaurants. There are two sparklings available:

Sparks

Hand-picked then whole-bunch cold pressed for up to 48 hours. I describe this as fun and fruity.  It is a stunning salmon pink colour that parties on the palate.  A fresh and young Charmat method sparkling pinot noir of ultra-pale salmon hue, accented with tangy strawberry and elegant red-apple fruit. Lively acidity and well-integrated dosage. For those that love a Charmat method sparkling, it is perfect – light and easy drinking, refreshing and vibrant.

Emerson

This one is named after one of their daughters (pictured). Adam told me that it took until 2017 for the vintage to be considered Emerson worthy, and as a traditional method it had only just recently been released. It is whole-bunch cold pressed then bottle fermented for 4.5 years on lees. Showcasing Adelaide Hills pinot noir with depth and presence in red apple and subtle strawberry fruit, layered with the toasty, roast-nut complexity you would expect from extended ageing on lees. A noble effort for a first release, upholding the focus of cool-climate acidity, carrying the finish long and restrained, well-matched to a low dosage.

See website here.

Deviation Road

Deviation Road produces exciting cool climate wines from mature vineyard resources, where owners, Hamish and Kate Laurie, continue a five-generation winemaking tradition. Devoted to the high-altitude sites, and with Kate’s French oenology training, the wines they produce are both traditional and contemporary.

Hamish has winemaking in his blood. His great-great-grandmother was South Australia’s first female winemaker and his vineyard is one of the oldest in the region. Together with his father, he created Hillstowe wines in 1991, which became a successful international brand. When Hillstowe was sold in 2001, the opportunity arose for Hamish to build his own winery. Joined by Kate later that year, the path forward was set. Hamish occupies several roles at Deviation Road, including overseeing the business operations, chief tractor driver (and fixer), disgorger, handy man and blending partner.

Kate was 19 when she realised that becoming a winemaker was actually a ticket to her other passion, all things French. This is how she ended up in France, studying at the Lycée Viticole d’Avize in Champagne. Nearly three years later, she returned home to her family winery Stone Bridge in WA, where she worked as Winemaker for four years before joining Hamish in 2001. Was it fate or destiny that Hamish was a vigneron in the Adelaide Hills? Judging by the results, the region has proved an ideal setting for Kate to hone her sparkling style and produce the artisanal and refined wines Deviation Road have become known for.

With a fiery passion to create premium bottle fermented and aged Australian sparkling wines together with textural, aromatic wines that can genuinely cellar, their signature style is restrained, elegant and balanced. All of their wines are hand-crafted using traditional wine making techniques and are vegan friendly.

Deviation Road’s winery and cellar door are a short drive from Stirling. The Deviation Road experience combines a spectacular garden setting surrounded by vineyard and heritage listed bushland together with a sophisticated wine and all-day grazing food menu that heroes local seasonal product.

Seasonal wine flights are available, and by appointment only they also have a Disgorging Experience that includes a hosted winery tour and disgorging, where you get to create a custom dosage of a bottle of Altair, which you can take home, followed by a Noble Cuvee wine flight featuring their four current release sparkling wines. I was fortunate to be there at a time that they were disgorging, which they do onsite. I also had the pleasure of meeting Kate, she generously took the time to sit with me to talk through the wines.

Deviation Road 2017 Loftia Vintage Brut

Chardonnay 55%, Pinot Noir 45%

The aim when blending Loftia is to create a sparkling that will gain complexity with age, as well as show the perfect balance between the line and precision from the chardonnay and the power from the pinot.

The wine is tiraged (bottled) by hand and stored for second fermentation. After a minimum of three years, the first batch is riddled and hand disgorged on site at their Longwood winery. Small batches are disgorged at a time to allow the remaining bottles to continue ageing on lees as long as possible.

Loftia is famously crisp and zesty, the perfect aperitif style sparkling wine. Aromas of lemon zest on the nose precede the creamy mousse and citrus finish. Flavours of crisp apple, fresh citrus zest, oyster shell minerality with a citrus finish on the palate. Enjoy withBBQ scallops.

Deviation Road Altair MV Brut Rose

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Kate explained that the Pinot Noir gives the Altair power and riper red fruit aromas and Chardonnay produces citrus lift and gives the wine finesse. This is a Multi Vintage (aka Non Vintage) in the assemblage (blended) method, which means that some still red wine is added to the blend to create the rose colour. The benefit of the MV wine is that reserve wines from previous years is added to enhance depth and complexity.

Sweet strawberry, cherry and spice aromas follow through to the palate, experienced as delicate mid palate fruit, with crisp finish and wonderful length.

95 Points – 2021 Halliday Wine Companion

94 Points – 2020 Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Wine report

Top Gold (95 Points), Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2018

Sparkling Rosè of the Year, Tyson Stelzer 2017

Southcote Blanc de Noirs 2017

The Southcote is a vintage wine created to showcase the best parcel of Pinot, and it is only produced in exceptional years, from 100% Pinot Noir. I tasted the 2017, the 2018 has since been released. The fruit is chilled at harvest and immediately whole bunch pressed into stainless steel tanks. Minimal skin contact, produces this lovely Blanc de Noir (White from Black).

Fresh red apple and raspberry aromas with toasted biscuit notes adding complexity. The palate has a lovely creamy mousse finished with crisp citrus acidity, balanced by a low dosage. Quince, red apple, raspberries, rhubarb crumble and sweet spice.

Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2013

Kate explained to me that precision freshness is the Deviation Road DNA. It is certainly highlighted in the Beltana, their flagship prestige cuvee. I tasted the 2013, the 2014 is now also released and has been awarded the Halliday Wine Companion Best Sparkling Award 2022.  The Beltana is produced using 100% Chardonnay grapes selected from the cool south-facing slopes high in the Adelaide Hills. A persistent fine bead, creamy mousse, clean minerality and is delicate on the palate. The nose had lovely nut and toasty hints, flavours of green apple, baked lemon curd tart, and a lovely crisp mouth-watering finish. The Beltana is aged for minimum 5 years, as is disgorged on demand, which means that some will be even later than that. The one I tasted had been aged for 7 years. Accolades include 96 Points – Huon Hooke and 96 Points – Tyson Stelzer.

See website here.

DAOSA at Tapanappa

DAOSA stands for Dedicated Artisans of South Australia and is owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Xavier Bizot (great nephew of Lily Bollinger) and Lucy Croser (daughter of Brian Croser) Brian started Croser sparkling and was one of the first to plant vineyards in what is now known as the Adelaide Hills wine region. The Cellar Door is located at the Tapanappa Winery, where some of the original vineyards where Croser was grown are retained. DAOSA is the sparkling wine brand, they have recently added a tasting experience at Cellar Door featuring the DAOSA sparkling wine range, as well as a selection of their TERRE à TERRE still wines.

I met with Xavier at the Cellar Door, and he explained to me that they grow all their fruit from their vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley. Obviously passionate about the area as a sparkling region, he explained to me that this location is the highest, coolest, wettest part of the Adelaide Hills, which makes it the perfect climate for quality sparkling wine production. Although we know the term ‘terroir’ as a feature of the soil, it also includes climate and growing conditions. Xavier mentioned there are around five different soils contributing to the impact of the terroir on the fruit. These ancient soils include clay, sandstone and shale, reflecting 1.5 billion years of evolution in the wine.

Advocates of the Australian Sparkling Wine industry, DAOSA have created the labelling term ‘Method Classic’ – which they have trademarked to describe the traditional sparkling wine process (‘traditional method’ or ‘méthode traditionelle), which can be used outside the Champagne region. Since 2010, due to trade agreements, in Australia (and most of the world) we cannot call a sparkling wine ‘Champagne’, or use the words, ‘méthode champenoise’ or ‘champagne method’ to promote the method used.  

The sparkling wine pedigree of this family-owned sparkling brand is producing some delectable sparkling wines. Champagne connoisseurs at our Bubbles Festivals have told me that it is the only Australian sparkling wine that they like! I tasted these two:

DAOSA Natural Rèserve 3rd Release

Pinot Noir 83%, Chardonnay 17%

The fruit was whole bunch pressed, retaining only the first press, producing very fresh acidity, clean juice and good primary fruit characters prior to fermentation. Fermented cool in stainless steel with malolactic fermentation, before being blended (assemblage) with some 2016 and 2017 Réserve Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aged in old barrels without sulphur. The wine was then ‘tiraged’ in February 2019 for secondary fermentation in bottle. Aged for 18 months. Dosage 7g/L. It is rated 96 points, James Halliday. The 4th release of the natural reserve has since been released, and you can see my virtual tasting on The Bubbles Review Facebook page.

DAOSA Blanc de Blancs 2016

Chardonnay 100%

This single vineyard Blanc de Blancs is from the family Chardonnay vineyard on the higher slopes of the Piccadilly Valley. Méthode Traditionnelle (Method ClassicTM). Fruit was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed, retaining only a small amount of the first press, which presents a very bright acidity, clean juice and good primary fruit characters. The juice was cold settled in tank for one week before being run into old barrels for primary fermentation. Once primary fermentation was completed, the barrels were topped and the wine stayed in barrel, with some lees stirring for a further 10 months where it went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was then ‘tiraged’ for the secondary fermentation in bottle. Aged for more than 42 months in bottle before being disgorged. Dosage 6g/L. This wine has spent more than four years on lees in total.

DAOSA Blanc de Blancs – the 2016 is a new release. I tasted the 2015 on my visit, which is now sold out. The 2015 won a Platinum medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards (awarded to just 178 wines out of 16,500+), was the top-rated sparkling wine in Gourmet Traveller Wine and was featured in James Halliday’s ‘Best of the Best’ Sparkling Wines.  I tasted the 2016 when we had it on the list at The Bubbles Festivals around the country, and it was extremely well received. The 2017 has since been released, and you can see my virtual tasting on The Bubbles Review Facebook page.

See website here.

Greenhill Wines

Owned and operated by Paul and Penny Henschke the Cellar Door and Café occupy a carefully restored and extended 1880s settler’s cottage in Summertown. Situated on a ridge with a large deck and grassed area with a stunning panoramic view of the Piccadilly Valley and vineyards, eucalypt forested Mt Bonython and distant Mt George range.

Paul describes Greenhill as a ‘nano-scale’ producer, with very small production. He manages the vineyard, is winemaker for their wine range, and manages the Cellar Door. Penny is the sole cook for the café. Both former Academics, they tell me that they love sharing what they create at Greenhills with visitors to the Cellar Door.

Paul is a fifth generation of the Eden Valley Henschke wine family, and after a career as an internationally recognised wine research microbiologist and educationalist (Australian Wine Research Institute and The University of Adelaide), he now focuses on grape growing and winemaking. He has an amazing knowledge of the wine fermentation process and the critical role that wine yeasts and bacteria play, which he says are the real microscopic winemakers. His knowledge is being put to great practical use to emphasize the qualities of their grapes, with minimal technological intervention. They purchased the vineyard in 2009 and produced their first sparkling wine in 2011.

I love new discoveries and Greenhill Wines are producing some interesting varieties. Two of the most common grapes used in Champagne are Pinot Noir and Meunier which are red grapes. Using the gentle pressing method and only taking the first press, allows the winemaker to produce a white wine from red grapes, known as a Blanc de Noirs – white from blacks. All of the Greenhill sparklings are red grape dominant, but not sparkling reds. I love the delicacy of experiencing the Pinot flavours in a good sparkling wine.

Pinot Meunier or Meunier, is a red grape, that is usually blended with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a traditional blend. Meunier is known for its ability to balance out and bring harmony to the other two. I have tasted 100% Meuniers in Champagne, there is a growing trend amongst grower champagnes to create a 100% Pinot Meunier sparkling. It is very unusual in Australia, I have only tasted one other, so the Greenhill’s, Blanc de Noir was delightful to experience. All of their sparklings are traditional method ‘methode traditionelle’.

2017 Estate Sparkling Pinot Meunier Blanc de Noir

Fine bead and textured palate, lovely mid palate fresh fruit with a crisp finish and long length.

Greenhill’s ‘unique’ 100% Pinot Meunier from the Piccadilly Valley, Paul tells me that 2017 was a very cool 2017. This wine spent 2.5 years on lees.  

I also taste the late disgorged Pinot Noir Rosé, which has spent 6 years on lees.  This is from their first sparkling year –  the cold 2011 vintage.

2011 Estate Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé Brut – 6 Years Late Disgorged

High altitude, cool climate, Piccadilly Valley (Summertown) single vineyard, Estate grown Pinot Noir (100%). Disgorged after 6 years on yeast lees in bottle, October 2019.
Very pale pink, with fine and persistent bead. The aromas are complex, lemon, citrus, honey, green apple, strawberry and brioche. On the palate it is lively, luscious, rich creamy texture, and lingering fresh crisp dry finish.

2016 Estate Sparkling Pinot Noir Brut Rosé

High altitude, cool climate, Piccadilly Valley (Summertown), single vineyard, Estate grown Pinot Noir (95%) and Pinot Meunier (2.5%), and includes Chardonnay (5%). Third release: disgorged after 3 years maturation on yeast lees in bottle, March 2020. This sparkling Pinot Rosé was tiraged with a novel hybrid yeast bred by a colleague of Paul’s.

A delicate pink colour with fine and persistent bead. The aromas are complex strawberry with hints of raspberry, green apple, citrus and subtle brioche. The palate is lively and luscious, creamy, and lingering dry (brut), crisp fresh fruity finish.

Wine flights are available throughout the day, and Paul is often available to present those, which can be accompanied by food served from the café, which showcases local fruit and vegetables, pasta, and Penny’s bread baked daily. The menu features the Greenhill Café tasting plate, which typically features three dishes freshly prepared and designed to complement each other with ciabatta. Small plates, including cheese and salami platters, are also available.

See website here.

The Tank at the Uraidla Hotel

The Uraidla Hotel has a quirky character with retro styling. They have a microbrewery, great food and an amazing wine list. The creation of the tank tasting room for a unique wine tasting experience was done by repurposing a disused water tank at the hotel. Perfect, very cool wine storage conditions, so crochet blankets (like your nanna may have made) are thoughtfully provided to wrap around you whilst you taste. The tank holds 4,000 bottles that surround you as you taste on the circular tasting bar in the centre of the room. They showcase wines from the region, particularly Piccadilly Valley, and feature some lovely sparklings that you may not have discovered yet, as well as some great grower champagnes. I tasted these local sparklings:

2018 Piccadilly Circus Blanc de Blancs – Methode Traditionelle

A crisp, clean, cool climate Blanc de Blancs with gentle flavours of citrus and cashew. Great persistence of flavour and balance. Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed then matured in oak before second fermentation in the bottle results in a great example of Piccadilly Valley Sparkling.

Norton Summit Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2010

Produced using organic practices, natural (wild) fermentation, are hand-picked and pruned. Released after 1 year in new and seasoned oak plus 2-3 years more in bottle for aged characters.

70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. Sauvage dosage. Fermented in bottle. Biologique. 10 years on lees. Late disgorged.

Nice, lifted nose and lovely depth and length of complex flavours. Very classy and beautifully elegant wine.

I also tasted one champagne:

Champagne Larmandier Bernadier Latitude Extra-Brut

100% Chardonnay 40%Reserve wines 4g/l Dosage

This family owned, grower champagne from Vertus is known for creating wines to express specific terroir from their estate. This is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes which all come from the same “latitude”: the south of Vertus. A generous terroir and grapes picked fully ripe.  This non-vintage cuvée contains 40% of wines coming from the estate’s perpetual reserve started in 2004. Lovely mineral quality, harmonious aperitif style, fully round character, delightful on the palate.

I visited the Tank on my own and returned a few days later with my group of friends, it’s a great stop to include on a sparkling tasting day in the region.

See website here.

Honey Moon Vineyard

Honey Moon Vineyard is owned and operated by Jane Bromley and Hylton McLean. The vineyard is situated on a cool but sunny site, on the high ridges of Echunga. Hylton and Jane make the wine that they want to drink. Hylton a wine educator, and experienced sparkling maker, having spent more than 10 years as the sparkling maker at Orlando. Jane is a winner of the Vin de Champagne award. They have a great passion and credentials for creating some special sparkling wines. Their beautiful vineyard is located at their home, and the name Honey Moon comes from them noticing the full moon sitting over the vineyard and thinking it looked like a big drop of honey. Their sparklings are all hand-picked, first press, taking the cuvee only for traditional method sparklings.

I tasted their Rosé Brut, which is mainly Pinot Noir with a little bit of Chardonnay – the same reserve from the Piccadilly Valley used in the Blanc de Blancs. The colour is from the saignee method, picking up a bit of pigment on press. It is mainly the 2015 vintage having spent 52 months on lees. It had lovely mid-palate fruit, wild raspberry, with some spicy notes, and fragrant violets. It retails for $50 but their private customer list gets special pricing. 2017 Blanc de Blancs – 100% Chardonnay from two different vineyards, majority from the 2017 harvest in Charleston, 14% from reserves from the Piccadilly Valley 2015 Vintage. Their reserves are stored in Magnum (like Bollinger), which is an expensive way to hold reserves, but provides great complexity in the wine. 32 months on lees. Delightful, delicate balance in this wine. Lovely nutty, cashew flavours on the palate, which are cut through perfectly with citrus fresh lime acidity. The ageing mentioned on these wines are the minimum, and Honey Moon retain stock still ageing on lees and disgorge on demand. They hand label and write the customer’s name on the bottle as well as the disgorgement date. 

Honey Moon Vineyard Rosé Brut 2015

85% Pinot Noir and 15% Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

This is a Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wine, based predominantly on Pinot Noir from the Honey

Tirage-bottled in January 2016, thus 45 months on lees (at the time of writing). Disgorged by hand, on demand means that the wine remains in contact with the yeast lees, under cool cellaring conditions, for as long as possible – with all the benefits this brings. The year and month of disgorgement is written on each label enabling one to calculate the time on lees. Dosage – 9.0 g/L

Appearance is delicate rose pink, with a fine pin-point bead. The aroma is subtle strawberry and quince aromas mingle with hints of citrus and sea breeze/oyster shell notes. A vibrantly fresh palate with notes of new season strawberry, cherry and delicate citrus. Subtle secondary nutty and bready notes, arising from the time on lees, are now becoming part of the wine’s complexity. The creamy texture and soft mousse builds pleasantly on the palate, integrating flavour with refreshing acidity to give a lingering and crisp finish. Pair with light dishes such as salads, seafood (salmon, shellfish, small ocean fish such as garfish and tommy ruffs, and chargrilled squid), sushi and white meats. Also delicious with soft cheeses.

Honey Moon Adelaide Hills Blanc de Blancs Brut 2017

Chardonnay 100%

90% Chardonnay from the Anderson (Almond Cart) vineyard in Charleston, plus 10% Chardonnay reserve wine from Piccadilly, Chapel Hill Vineyard, ex magnums (on light lees).

Total production 1,204 bottles, plus six magnums

Appearance is pale light yellow with vibrant green hue and fine bead.  Aroma is subtle lemon lime citrus aromas mingle with green apples, lively and fresh. Palate is a fresh aperitif style. Vibrant with notes of lemons and granny smith apples. A light creamy texture and refreshing mousse builds pleasantly on the palate, integrating flavour and acid to give a lingering and dry finish. Pair with light dishes such as entrées, salads, seafood (great with fresh oysters!) and white meats. Dosage 7.5 g/L. Disgorgement in Oct /Nov 2020 = 32 months on lees.

Private tastings can be arranged at their home by appointment. You can purchase online or join their private customer list. I discovered them on some of the best sparkling lists in Adelaide, and they were also a favourite at The Bubbles Festival Adelaide.

See website here.

Mordrelle

Visits to this small family-owned Cellar Door are by appointment. I visited Mordrelle twice during my stay, once on my own to taste the sparklings before returning a few days later with a group of friends, when we tasted sparklings and some of their still wines. Co-owner Martin Moran is not only a great winemaker, he is also a great host who is more than happy to tailor visits to what is needed.  Tastings are usually accompanied by olives, and cheese platters are available on request. If you want to make this your lunch stop, Martin will prepare an Argentinian BBQ, sharing the delights of cuisine from his homeland. If you ask him, Martin will play a few songs on his guitar too!

Martin holds an engineering degree in Agriculture (the second most difficult after Medicine) specialising in viticulture and oenology, making reds, whites, and sparkling wines. His winemaking travels brought him to the Adelaide Hills, where he fell in love with the area, and his now wife Michelle. Establishing Mordrelle together, with Michelle’s parents, the wine labels features artwork by Martin’s father, Jose Luis Moran, who passed away in 2010. “Our label is our opportunity to share with you the wonderful artistic skills of my father Jose Luis Moran and dedicating our wine to his memory,” says Martin. If you’re lucky, there might still be stocks of the ‘Wedding Wine’, produced for Martin and Michelle’s wedding. At the time of their wedding, it was a fresh young sparkling wine, served to their wedding guests. Today, with about 10 years of ageing on it, it is a more complex wine with a lovely nose. A Blanc de Blancs, 100% Chardonnay, it is creamy on the mid palate, hints of umami saltiness, with crisp dry finish, as you would expect as a zero dosage.

All of the sparklings are Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), Brut Nature (zero dosage). Mordrelle was another favourite at The Bubbles Festival Adelaide. The other wines in the sparkling range that we tasted were:

Mordrelle 2011 Blanc de Blancs – this one is a trophy winner. Produced from a cold and wet vintage, very crisp, fresh green apples, good length and acidity, an earth minerality of ocean and truffles.

Mordrelle 2012 Blanc de Blancs, Adelaide Hills ‘Museum Release’ Brut-Nature – another wine trophy winner.  A low yield vintage, lively fresh fruit, grapefruit with crisp acidity.

Mordrelle 2015 Blanc de Blancs Reserva, Adelaide Hills Brut-Nature – fresh on the palate, crisp, light, aperitif style. Winner of 2021 Adelaide Hills Wine Show Best Sparkling and Best Single Vineyard Wine.

Mordrelle Apple Cider, ‘Methode Traditionelle’ 2014 – I’m not a cider lover, but I did taste the Pink Lady Apple cider, which was very refreshing, made in the traditional method that adds some complexity. Cider lovers will appreciate this one.

See website here.

Wicks Estate Wines

We had the family-owned Wicks sparklings at The Bubbles Festival Adelaide and they were very popular. A Cellar Door is currently in development, so keep an eye on this one for future visits. For now, you can enjoy the view of the vineyard on your travels through the region. You can also see the virtual tasting for Wicks Estate on The Bubbles Review Facebook page.

Here are their tasting notes.

Wicks Estate – Pamela Sparkling Adelaide Hills 2015

Chardonnay 70%, Pinot Noir 30%

Our 2015 Pamela represents our finest expression of traditional method sparkling, a wine only produced in the finest vintages. Parcels of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are hand-picked from our estate vineyard at Woodside with any imperfect fruit rejected to achieve the highest quality outcome. Traditional methods of whole bunch pressing, bottle fermentation and a minimum of four years on tirage help ensure a level of prestige and finesse. 100% Adelaide Hills, South Australia Cool Climate vineyards, individual parcel selection.

Colour is bright pale straw. Aroma is lifted buttery and toasty French oak, with a subtle hint of fresh cut apple and melon. Flavour is notes of brioche and white peach with hints of fresh cut apple and a fresh clean finish on the palate. 5.9 g/L Residual Sugar. Pair with oysters or a selection of gourmet cheese and dried fruits. Cellar for 10+ years.

Wicks Estate – Chardonnay Pinot Noir Vintage Adelaide Hills 2020

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Fashioned with vibrant fruit and sparkling purity, this early release style vintage sparkling is based upon the most famous sparkling wine varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Blended from two clones of Chardonnay and two clones of Pinot Noir, these carefully selected parcels from the Wicks Estate vineyards were meticulously nurtured through the winemaking process in order to retain their pristine fruit flavours and delicate aromatic nuances. A layering of complexity achieved through the secondary fermentation provides and delightful distraction from the crisp apple chardonnay derived characters and the gentile strawberry notes from the Pinot Noir all tied together by the fine, refreshing natural acidity. Colour is pale straw. Aroma is lifted florals. Flavour is fresh green apple with white stone fruit. 5.0 g/L Residual Sugar. Pair with canapes and entrées. Cellar for 3–5 years.

See website here.

Petaluma

Founded by Brian Croser with the original vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley in the late 1980s, he was the first to produce Sparkling Wine from the Adelaide Hills, and Croser is the sparkling label of Petaluma. Now owned by the Accolade group, the Petaluma state-of-the-art winery has been in this new location since 2015 – situated on their estate vineyards in the township of Woodside, just a 40-minute drive from Adelaide CBD. The Cellar Door has expansive views of the Adelaide Hills, and the converted farmstead has a modern and elegant interior, and an outdoor deck overlooks the vineyard. They offer a selection of wine flights, including a Croser sparkling flight, Chardonnay flight or a Yellow Label flight, each served with a tasting of local produce.

I met with Paul Easton, one of the sparkling winemakers, who sat with me to take me through the tasting of their sparkling range. The Croser Non-Vintage made my list of ‘go to’ Aussie Sparklings a few years ago. It is a good consistent traditional method bubbly, and great value for money.

Croser NV Adelaide Hills

It is usually around 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, from selected sites in the Piccadilly Valley and other parts of the Adelaide Hills. A blend of the current vintage of Croser with reserve wine from several older vintages. Each vintage adding distinctive qualities to the final blend. Croser Non Vintage stays true to the ‘aperitif’ style, fresh bright fruit, hints of grapefruit, with balanced acidity. Methode traditionelle, the NV spends 12–18 months on lees. 

Croser Non-Vintage Rose NV

A blend of 100% Pinot Noir fruit sourced from selected cool climate vineyards across the Adelaide Hills and combined with several back vintage reserve wines of Pinot Noir delivers a sophisticated Methode traditionelle. It is whole bunch pressed, and after settling, the juice is fermented in a combination of 80% stainless steel, with 20% fermented in old oak barriques for added complexity. The colour is blush salmon pink. Lovely mid palate fruit of red berries. Mineral saltiness on the finish.

2015 Croser Piccadilly Valley Vintage Sparkling

This is a blend of 63% Pinot Nor and 37% Chardonnay.  Complex, elegant and creamy on the palate.

The fruit is hand-picked from the Piccadilly Valley, and the Petaluma Yellow Reserve Chardonnay also comes from the Piccadilly Valley. It is chilled overnight, then whole bunch pressed, then fermented, blended, filtered, tiraged and stored on lees for a minimum of 3 years. Disgorged at their new state of the art winery.

On the nose and palate, there was notes of stone fruit, brioche and strawberry. Fine crisp finish, nuttiness on back palate, with hints of sourdough. A little bit of malolactic fermentation is used, which softens the acidity, leaving a very fine crisp finish.

The next vintage is the 2017, which has been released since my visit.

Croser 2006 Late Disgorged Piccadilly Valley

Slightly warmer growing season than the long-term average. Smaller yields provided exceptional fruit concentration and natural acidity. The near-perfect conditions at harvest saw traditional picking dates for both varieties in mid to late March.

The nose had the complexity you expect from a wine aged on lees for 12 years. Disgorged in late 2019. This is zero dosage. Traditional champagne yeast is used for fermentation. On the nose, I noted sticky toffee, with yeast bakery notes of brioche, as well as some strawberry and baked apples. Lovely mid palate experience of fruit, finishing to the front palate with spice. Remarkably fresh with crunchy acidity with a wonderfully fine bead and creamy mousse. Honey, cashew and apple pie complement the layers of complexity on the palate.

See website here.

Bird in Hand

Owned by the Nugent family, the venue décor and sculpture collection is a work in progress as the Nugent family continue their love of collecting pieces from around the world. Exciting things are happening here as they prepare for their $30 million development of a new Cellar Door, Restaurant and Art Gallery. Art is a big part of the ethos of this winery, and the grounds feature original works from artists who demonstrate a philosophical connection to the spirit of the winery. Sculptures in the gardens, inspiring interiors, paintings that speak to our time and nod to the classics.

Bird in Hand Flight Club members get private access to dine at The Gallery Restaurant, where a seasonal curation of artworks by Hugo Michell Gallery provides a visual feast while overlooking the vineyard. Beyond the restaurant, the love of art continues.

On my visit, I met the Sparkling Winemaker, Sara Burnvill. Bird in Hand are probably most well known for their NV sparkling which is a rosé. This is a charmat method, usually 100% Pinot Noir, although 2020 did have some Chardonnay included as harvest volume was challenged by the bushfires in the region. This is their volume wine, with 100 thousand cases produced, and is a big seller in Australia and the UK.

Aside from their flagship sparkling, Bird in Hand also make some lovely Methode Traditionelle sparklings, which are named after family members. Here is what I tasted during my visit.

2018 O (OWN) Sparkling

OWN is named after the owner’s son. It is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, very crisp, light on palate. Aromas of red apple, citrus blossom, honey nougat and lovely mid palate fruit, fleshy white peach and lemon zest, subtle oak spice with crisp dry finish and mineral saltiness. 26 months on lees, 6gms dosage.

Nest Egg Joy 2015

Joy is named after Andrew’s mum. It is a 2015 vintage traditional method, Blanc de Noirs of 100% Pinot Noir. Notes of red apple combined with pink grapefruit, a hint of musk and subtle shortbread aromatics. A delicious brut style sparkling with a richness and creaminess on the palate from the natural fruit weight and time on lees in bottle. A tight acid line and fine lacy bead drive the wine through the palate adding length and precision. Nest Egg Joy is aged for 30 months on its lees before release to add further texture and complexity resulting in subtle biscuit, brioche and shortbread characters.

Lalla Victoria 2007

This is a late disgorged version of Joy. It has spent 8 years ageing on lees. It is the 2007 vintage, disgorged in 2015. It offers further complexity from extended ageing. The nose offers spicy notes from the Pinot Noir, with a richness and creaminess on the palate, lovely mid palate fruit with spicy notes on the finish and extended length.

See website here.

Pike & Joyce

Pike & Joyce Wines was established in 1998 as the coming together of the Pike family from Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley, and the Joyce family, fifth generation horticulturists from the Adelaide Hills – a joint venture of two families who share a love of the region, a passion for viticulture, and a desire to produce only the finest wine. The vineyard is all hand pruned and handpicked, with the fruit being chilled overnight in the Joyce cool rooms, before being transported to Pike’s Clare Valley winery for vinification.

This is a ‘wow’ factor Cellar Door! The restaurant and tasting room is housed in a sandstone structure with glass (a lot of it retractable), giving 180-degree views over the single estate vineyard and the spectacular Onkaparinga Valley. Contemporary Australian themed artwork adorns the walls as you enter, and the philosophy of the restaurant menu is all about embracing seasonal and local produce.

I tasted the NV ‘Methode Cuve’ Pinot Noir Rosé

A bright, pale salmon pink blush. Tank method (aka Cuve or Charmat). This is fresh and fruity, a perfect light on the palate summer drinking wine. Aromas of tropical fruit, cranberry and strawberry.

Since my visit, they have also released the 2016 MT Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir. The fifth release of their ‘Methode Traditionelle’. It has spent 4.5 years on lees resulting in complexity that you would expect in a quality sparkling wine. This small batched wine is available exclusively from the Cellar Door.

See website here.

Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard

Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard (MLRV) is a family-owned, five star rated boutique winery nestled high in the Adelaide Hills at Lenswood 20km due east of Adelaide at a height of 550m. This picturesque sloping vineyard, where all vines are hand pruned and grapes are hand-picked, produces fruit of consistently high quality.

I met the owners Sharon Pearson and Garry Sweeney at the restaurant and cellar door, which has stunning views of the vineyard and surrounding ranges. Using sustainable reclaimed timbers and repurposed materials the venue also features a glass dining room, three tiered decks and undercover outdoor dining. Provenance of wine and food is at the forefront of MLRV’s philosophy, with a strong emphasis on ethical local farming and menus defined by seasonal and locally grown produce.

Established in 1992, the vineyard has 19,000 planted vines consisting of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They make traditional method sparklings, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I sat down for a tasting with Garry and then had lunch on the deck enjoying the views of the vineyard.

Méthode Traditionelle Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2018

Garry told me that this was their seventh Méthode Traditionelle. A blend of Pinot Noir 55% and Chardonnay 45%. The wine has spent some time in oak, before tirage with 26 months on lees.  Lovely on the nose, a leanness in the fruit characteristics, the creamy mousse, sits very light on the palate, crisp aperitif style, with a mineral saltiness on the finish.

Méthode Traditionelle – Late Disgorged – Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2013

The late disgorged is a similar blend of 60% Pinot Noir, and 40% Chardonnay, it has spent extra time on lees, a total of almost 7 years.

Lovely nose with aromas of brioche, toffee, autolysis bringing biscuity, sourdough notes. Rich on the palate, but surprisingly light, it almost levitates on the palate, lovely and delicate.

The restaurant is open daily for lunch and set menu options apply. Friday Night Sunset Sessions are held on the first Friday of every month. Sip some bubbles (or one of their still wines) by the open fire, and enjoy live music and dine on a two or three course a la carte menu or a five course tasting menu.

See website here.

Golding Wines

Golding Wines is situated on the outskirts of Lobethal, within the Lenswood appellation. A family-owned vineyard, their philosophy is that the best wines come from great vineyards and taste even better when shared in beautiful surrounds.

The Goldings have created a beautiful space to enjoy their wines. The Cellar Door, housed in what was a family-built sandstone barn, is surrounded by ancient gums, a lush garden with landscaped terraces, encased by their vineyard.

The Tasting Room offers wine flights, accompanied by canapés, and cheese platters are also available.

They have two sparklings on tasting – one from the Market Series and one from their Portrait Series.

Market Series – Last Hurrah Sparkling

The Market series comes from family history of working at the East End Markets, and the celebration of its ‘Last Hurrah’ when it closed. “It surely was the end of an era when the grand old dame that was the East End Market closed in 1988. Celebrated with no less than a gala ball for over 800 guests. It was a magical event etched into the minds of the old market merchants and known as The Last Hurrah”.

55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay – Charmat method. Aromas of strawberry and crunchy green apple. The palate is bright, fresh, and fabulous, finishing with crisp citrus.

Portrait Series – 2013 Marjorie

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Named after Lucy Golding’s grandmother who always loved a celebration. “It’s fitting that our premium Sparkling wine, made in the traditional method, is dedicated to her. Marjorie is inspired by our love of great Champagne.” Extended lees ageing of around 3 years, adds complex toasted nut and yeasty characters to the honeyed poached apple aromas. The palate offers notes of lemon and is crisp with a lingering finish. A persistent fine bead and creamy mousse gives extra lift to these delicious aromas and flavours.

Other tasting experiences include Nido (Italian for nest). A quirky way to enjoy your afternoon, nestled in a giant nest, set in the vineyard with a 5 course grazing menu. There is also a Wine Safari (a tasting amongst the vines). A Pallet Picnic Experience (a picnic with rugs, cushions, table set with linen and cutlery). A tepee for grown-ups completes the setting! Or you could choose Hamper in the Hills for a self-guided picnic experience.

The Ginkgo restaurant also serves seasonal plates and wood-fired dishes. Awarded Gourmet Traveller – Best Cellar Door Tasting Experience – Adelaide Hills 2020.

See website here.

Sidewood

The Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door is a stunning mix of materials in the interior, including giant Victorian Ash trusses, local stone flooring, and warm caramel leather banquettes. The venue also features an eclectic collection of Australian art, including works by Olsen, Blackman, Boissevain and Grey-Smith. This flows outside onto an enormous hardwood deck, which offers many different types of casual dining experiences. Set amongst eucalyptus trees and landscaped gardens, there are lounges in front of an open two-way stone fireplace, bar stools along a fifteen-metre bar overlooking petanque and lawn bowls courts, a kid friendly location nature playground and six VIP day beds that are available for hire. Who doesn’t love a day bed?!

Sidewood is a family-owned, 5 Red Star Halliday Wine Companion accredited winery, and they are the largest Certified Sustainable Winery in the Adelaide Hills. My friends joined me for this tasting of a great range of sparkling wines, followed my lunch in the dining room. And a quick photo opportunity from one of the day beds!

Here is what we tasted:

NV Sidewood Estate Sparkling Pinot Rose

Grapes are selected from low yielding vines and chilled in the cold room within an hour of picking, before being gently pressed. Free-run juice is then fermented with partial malolactic and extended time on lees prior to secondary ferment and bottling.

This 100% Pinot Noir wine has aromas of fresh strawberry, wild raspberries and dried fig. The palate is round and beautifully balanced. Intense flavours of cherry, white peach and strawberries are matched with a crisp minerality and a touch of brioche. The natural acidity provides excellent structure and finesse with a luscious, generous mouthfeel. 

NV Sidewood Estate Sparkling

A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, the bouquet offers aromas of strawberry, lemon citrus and underlying notes of biscotti. The palate is elegant, displaying intense strawberry, nectarine and cashew characters, which is enhanced by partial malolactic fermentation and extended time on yeast lees providing softness and complexity, while still retaining natural acidity for structure and finesse. A mouth-watering citrus and nougat finish.

2015 Sparkling Chloe Cuvee

With a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, this wine has wonderful toasty brioche aromas enhanced by green fruits and zesty citrus. The palate has a harmonious balance of orange blossom, biscotti and green apple that complement the salty, driving minerality balanced perfectly with an elegant creamy finish.

2015 Sidewood Cassandra Blanc de Blancs

The wine showcases a complex, creamy mouthfeel marrying notes of buttered brioche, marmalade and dried orange peel on the nose, leading to a saline, oyster-shell minerality and racy acidity on the palate. Fig, ginger and white peach are abundant, the tasting notes describe it as: “Cassandra Blanc de Blancs is a powerful and persistent vinous songstress, with each ‘note’ in complete operatic, sensory-harmony”.

2014 Isabella Rosé Sparkling

This wine of extraordinary sophistication and poise is named after the owners’ and vignerons’ daughter, Isabella Rose. With a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, this wine displays aromas of red berries with enticing delicate hints of pressed flowers. Flavours of wild strawberries, black cherries, citrus blossom and toasted brioche delight the palate and are balanced with zesty, crisp acidity and long textural finish.

Sidewood is open for tastings and restaurant bookings every day except Tuesdays and Public Holidays.

See website here.

The Lane Vineyard

Sitting 400m high atop the rolling hills adjacent the Onkaparinga Valley, The Lane Vineyard is a boutique state-of-the-art winery, modern cellar door and award-winning vineyard restaurant. Their Single vineyard Estate wines are paired with their five-course Provenance menu, exploring the rich connection between food, wine and their origins, and designed to feature the best South Australian produce.

Another ‘wow’ factor location, visiting the Lane is not just about food and wine, but aspires to heighten your food and wine discovery with a range of experiences. The Gathering Experience is the Lane’s signature tasting, where you take a seat and enjoy a miniature degustation style wine tasting that showcases the harmony between their estate wines and restaurant menu. A heightened discovery of their flagship Estate range thoughtfully paired with amuse-bouche by the chef.

You can also reserve exclusive experiences including blend your own wine, the Panaroma enjoy lunch in a private location in the vineyard; Boatshed by the lake, Winemaker, and Chef experiences. 

Lois NV Blanc de Blancs

A refreshing blend of five different Chardonnay clones showcases its complexity, displaying hints of subtle citrus, white flower, granny smith apple and toasted brioche. A creamy palate balanced by a fine bead and crisp acidity.

2015 Estate Cuveé Blanc de Blancs

The highest parcels of fruit from the Balhannah Vineyard highlight the unique terroir. This is a ‘méthode traditionnelle’ sparkling, which has been aged for a minimum of 5 years in bottle and disgorged on demand. Aromas of lemon zest and brioche dough with a delicate palate of vanilla bean and shortbread balanced by a fine bead and crisp acidity.

2010 Heritage Late Disgorged Cuvée

The Heritage collection is made to showcase the nuances of single vineyard terroir. This was a highlight, as you would expect from a late disgorged sparkling, lovely and complex on the palate. Made using ‘méthode traditionnelle’, aged for a minimum of 10 years in bottle and disgorged on demand. A rich palate of tangerine, toasted sourdough, cultured butter, honeycomb and almond praline. All tightly held together with vibrant citrus fruits that drive a lovely line down the tongue and nice length to savour at the end.

See website here.

Howard Vineyard

Howard Vineyard is a second-generation family-owned business located in Nairne. When I visited, they had the 2020 Sparkling Rose on tasting. It’s a Charmat method, and I met the wine maker Tom who told me that they only do vintage, so each sparkling showcases the fruit of that year. They do some barrel work on the wines before the second fermentation in tanks. They usually have at least one sparkling on tasting. There was a 2020 Blanc de Blancs which was due for release soon, and I managed to get a bottle to take with me and try later. As you would expect from tank method wines, they are fresh and showcase vibrant primary fruit on the palate, producing easy drinking bubbly. There is a youth and playfulness in the heart of what they do here. The Cellar Door has a lovely lawn area with views of the vines, and they have a restaurant with an Asian-influenced menu, known for their dumplings that would be a great match with the sparkling rose.  

See website here.

Somerled Cellar Bar – Hahndorf

This wine bar in the town of Hahndorf was a lovely discovery. I arrived just before closing, but the lovely Meela looked after me with a quick tasting of their sparkling, which is not always on tasting. They serve platters, so a visit works well as a pre-dinner stop, or an afternoon of grazing in the courtyard. Somerled is a family-owned label, and their wines are made at the Greenhills Winery. I tasted:

Somerled Sparkling 2016 Min 24 months on lees and disgorged in small batches. 100% Pinot Noir. I do enjoy a Blanc de Noir, and this was light with lovely mid palate fruit and a crisp dry finish. It is considered a Brut Nature with a dosage of less than 1gm.

See website here.


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Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review which is for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! At The Bubbles Review, we like to debunk some myths, make the art of drinking champagne accessible, explore bubbly regions and champagne bars, and provide events for you to join us and indulge.

Virtual Sparkling Cellar Doors

At The Bubbles Review we love sharing the joy of sparkling wine, through our award winning blog, and our events and tours. 

One of the things that I love about organising The Bubbles Festival is bringing the Cellar Doors, Producers and Distributors to our followers.  I love creating opportunities for people to discover new sparkling wines, meet the wine industry and develop a greater appreciation of what goes into making a quality sparkling wine.

When we were experiencing restrictions to keep us at home, many people started ordering their bubbles online. So, we created an opportunity to bring the Cellar Doors to you.  Just as we do at The Bubbles Festival, but when we went in lockdown, we did this in a virtual way.

It was so successful, we’ve kept the list going. Please see our list of virtual Cellar Doors below.  Order direct to support this great list of wineries and distributors of Champagne and Sparkling Wine. 


Printhie Wines – Orange, NSW

Sparklings:  Swift Sparkling – Swift NV Cuvée; Swift Sparkling Rosé; Swift 2012 Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir; Swift 2010 Blanc de Blancs; Swift 2016 Blanc de Noirs

From the highest vineyards in NSW on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mt Canobolas, an elite range of sparkling has been handcrafted by Printhie Wines. Brothers Ed and Dave Swift have made their mark on the Australian sparkling scene with their method traditionnelle Swift Sparkling. Exceptional winemaking, cool climate craftmanship and the luxury of time has created a trophy winning range of sparkling wine. Printhie’s passion for sparkling is demonstrated by the patience required to ensure each bottle of Swift Sparkling has been aged to perfection before release. Spending at least 5 years on lees with some up to 9 years. The range has won 10 trophies and over 60 medals in the last 4 years alone.

Special offer and promo code: Use ‘FREEDELIVERY’ coupon at checkout for free shipping.

See website to order


DAOSA – Adelaide Hills, Australia

Sparklings: 2017 DAOSA BLANC DE BLANCS; DAOSA NATURAL RÉSERVE 4TH RELEASE

The vision for Terre à Terre and DAOSA has been to grow grapes of exceptional quality from carefully selected vineyard sites every year, and then vinify them using the best of French and Australian wine practices. We believe that with rigour and precision, we can produce world class fine wines which will have great aging potential, combining elegance and power. We like to retain our independence from the common wine trends and focus on creating a Great Australian Classic. The DAOSA labels was established in 2008, but the heritage goes further back in time. We both grew up surrounded by passionate winemaking families, Xavier in Champagne, France and Lucy in the Adelaide Hills.

See website to order


Champagne Royal Riviera – Epernay, Champagne, France

Champagne: Champagne Royal Riviera Cuvee Brut Supreme.

A blend of Pinot Noir 50%, Chardonnay 40%, Pinot Meunier 10%.
Parcels are 66% Grand Cru and 33% Premier Cru, from Reims, Cote de Blanc and La Vallée de la Marne. A Brut Champagne, Non-vintage, made from 100% reserve wines. A traditional style Champagne, originating in Epernay, France.

Predominantly Pinot Noir and aging on lees, this wine is very playful on the palate. Mellow tannin swirls enable the elegant mousse to open to its full potential, creating fullness in the cheeks. The second-generation notes are complemented by freshness and soft effervescence achieved by blending Chardonnay from exceptional Grand Cru villages.

See website to order

Wicks Estate Wines – Adelaide Hills

Sparkling wines: Wicks Estate Vintage 2020, and Pamela Vintage Sparkling.

We tend every vine and grow every grape. We then take those precious grapes a short trip to our winery, situated right in the middle of our vineyard. This obsessive care is our family’s guarantee of quality.

See website to order


Bellebonne Wine – Tasmania

Sparkling wines: 2016 Bellebonne Vintage Cuvee and Bellebonne Bis Non-Vintage Rosé

BELLEBONNE [bell-y-bon] *
Beautiful and good, like Tasmania. A belief that good things should be made of beauty and purpose. Driven by the knowledge that Tasmania creates sparkling wines of detail and precision. That shares something honest, elemental and full of wonder about Tasmania. Wine of purity that speaks of the landscape and seasons that have shaped it.

See website to order


Best’s Wines – Great Western and Grampians Wine Region

Sparkling wines: 2016 C.M.T Méthode Traditionnelle and 2017 Sparkling Shiraz

Best’s Wines Great Western is one of Australia’s ‘best kept’ winery secrets.  Founded in 1866, we are a family-owned and operated winery (5th generation) with some of the oldest and rarest vines in the world.  Henry Best’s original Nursery Block, containing more than 40 different varieties and featuring his old Shiraz and Pinot Meunier plantings, are among Australia’s most valuable vineyard resources. The Thomson family are celebrating their 100th year as custodians this of Best’s Wines, purchased from Henry Best’s son in 1920. 

There is something very special about the wines from Great Western.  The pedigree of our historic vineyards allows us to make elegant, finely structured wines with great intensity and balance.  Best’s avoids the heavy-handed use of oak or winery interventions; instead, the winemaking team allows the fruit from Great Western to tell its own story.  Like many classic long-lived wines, their best attributes are revealed over time.

See website to order


Voirin-Jumel Wines – Cramant, Champagne, France

Champagne:  Voirin-Jumel Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs Brut; Blanc de Noirs 1er cru; 2012 Blanc de Blancs; Rose 1er Cru

The domain is located in Cramant, prestigious village Grand Cru of the côte des Blancs. Voirin – Jumel has been a family farm for 5 generations. Taking care of creating Champagnes worthy of the legendary Grand Cru terroirs.  The family vineyard covers 13 hectares, harvested and pressed by us. Our vineyard approach is natural.

“It is not enough to have a Grand Terroir, you have to respect it”

See website to order


Lost Farm – Northern Tasmania

Sparklings: Lost Farm Vintage 2015 Cuvée Sparkling; Lost Farm NV Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Lost Farm Wines is about discovery and potential. Working with the talented growers and the exceptional vineyard sites, aiming to realise the potential in the wines we make from them. Made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from the cold climate of Northern Tasmania our sparkling wines are complex, elegant wines that shows brioche, nougat and yeasty notes on the nose. A fine persistent bead seamlessly carries these flavours across the palate with brilliant texture and a classic refined finish.

Special offer and promo code: enter code FREEFARM on checkout for free shipping

See website to order 


Champagne Jacquart – Reims, France

Champagnes: Jacquart Mosaique Brut, Jacquart Mosaique Extra Brut, Jacquart Mosaique Rose, Jacquart Blanc de Blancs, Jacquart Cuvee Alpha, Jacquart Cuvee Alpha Rose.

Champagne Jacquart was founded in 1964 by Chardonnay growers and today is one of the largest grower-producers in Reims, France meaning they have 100% vineyard ownership & produce all their own Champagne. They are part of the Alliance Champagne Group & one of Champagne’s largest source of grapes. Jacquart’s vineyards are present in 8 of 17 Grand Cru and 20 of 44 Premier Cru regions. They have an increasing focus on sustainable winegrowing with 20% of acreage certified sustainable in 2017 with the goal to grow this in future years to come. The Champagne Jacquart style is unique and contemporary across the range: fresh, elegant and refined.

Special offer and promo code: 15% off with ‘BUBBLES’

View website to order


Mezzacorona & Rotari – Trentino, Italy

Sparklings: Rotari Brut, Rotari Rose, Mezza di Mezzacorona.

Special offer and promo code: 15% off with ‘BUBBLES’

View website to order


Oakdene – Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong, Victoria

Sparklings: NV Oakdene Pinot Noir Chardonnay, 2015 Oakdene Yvette Pinot Noir Chardonnay, 2016 Oakdene Kristen Blanc de Blanc

Oakdene’s range of Sparkling Wines are all made in a dry style, using the traditional varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The range includes a fruit driven style, limited production Vintage wines made using the traditional method with extended aging. 

Special offer and promo code: 10% discount and free shipping Australia wide on purchase of 6 bottles or more (applies automatically at checkout)

See website to order


Levrier by Jo Irvine – Located in Barossa, making wine from Eden Valley, Barossa and Adelaide Hills

Sparkling: Levrier by Jo Irvine Adelaide Hills Sparkling Meslier Brut Rosé

“I make small batch wine styles that I like to drink. My wines are all soft, juicy and vegan friendly. I support the Greyhound Adoption Program which is why all my labels have greyhounds on them, and I named my brand Levrier, which means ‘greyhound’.”

Special offer and promo code: All wine lovers can order at club rates and $10 from every order is going to Meal on Wheels SA until end of April.

See website to order


Trentham Estate – Trentham Cliffs, NSW

Sparklings: Prosecco NV and Tasmania Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV

Our Cellar Door is located at an impressive riverside destination where we share a tradition of quality food, wine and customer service. Trentham is very proud of, and humbled by, the many awards and accolades it has collected over the past 30 years – including hundreds of wine show medals, an impressive array of wine trophies, and business awards. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors to our stunning location on the banks of the Murray in the future.

See website to order


Clover Hill – Pipers River, North East Tasmania

Sparklings: Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvee NV, Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvee Rose NV, Clover Hill Vintage Brut 2013, Clover Hill Cuvee Exceptionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2013, Clover Hill Cuvee Exceptionnelle Vintage Rose 2015 & Clover Hill ‘Late Disgorged’ Cuvee Prestige Blanc de Blancs 2006

Clover Hill is one of Australia’s very few premium sparkling houses solely producing sparkling wines in the traditional method. With the intention to produce a refined sparkling wine to rival that of great Champagne houses, Clover Hill was established in 1986 on the site of an old dairy farm in north eastern Tasmania. These first plantings produced Clover Hill’s debut vintage in 1991. Since this time, Clover Hill has become synonymous with elegance and refinement, gaining a reputation of uncompromising quality. Clover Hill’s commitment to excellence has been recognised with numerous awards which include being inducted into the Australian Sparkling Hall of Honour in 2017 and being twice awarded Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year.

See website to order


Taltarni Estate – The Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia

Sparklings: Taltarni 2016 Blanc de Blancs, Taltarni 2013 Cuvee Rose, Taltarni 2015 Brut, Taltarni 2017 Sparkling Shiraz & Taltarni T Series Brut

Taltarni Vineyard and Winery was founded on the principles of individuality, independence and expression, which still guide us today. Combining old-world traditions with innovative new-world techniques, Taltarni produces a diverse range of méthode-traditionnelle crafted sparklings. Taltarni’s portfolio continues to be a reflective expression of the varietal and terroir from which our wines are born.

Special offer and promo code: see our wine specials page on our website

See website to order


Oakridge Estate – Yarra Valley, Victoria
Sparklings:
2014 Blanc de Blanc & 2017 Sparkling Meunier

Oakridge is a family-owned, Yarra Valley winery, restaurant and cellar door. Originally established in 1978, alongside a ridge of oak trees. Our many awards are due to the level of distinction and excellence our team strives for in every bottle; reflecting meticulous care from soil to grape and barrel to bottle.  

Special offer and promo code: BUBBLESREV10 for 10% off our online store

See website to order


Rob Dolan Wines – Yarra Valley, Victoria

Sparkling: 2018 Black Label Blanc de Blanc

Our Blanc de Blanc is the perfect way to start off as it is aperitif in style so gets you salivating and ready to taste. It is called blanc de blanc as it is a white wine crafted from a white grape, specifically, Chardonnay that we get from the Yea Valley. The Yea Valley is a relatively cold area, so perfect for sparkling bases as it keeps the acid high, forming zesty and fresh sparkling wines. This one is very easy drinking, perhaps slightly dangerous, that’s what we love about it!

Special offer and promo code: Free shipping Australia wide for a limited time. Enter code: SUPPORTSMALL at checkout.

See website to order


Fratelli Wines –  Yarra Valley, Victoria

Sparkling: NV Better Half Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Andrew and Megan Santarossa’s vineyard is located in the very cool site of the Yarra Junction in the Yarra Valley. They specialise in sparkling and table wines, having learnt their trade from working at Mitchelton and Chandon. A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay provides a clean fresh style with complexity on the back palate.

Special offer: 30% off RRP

See Footprint Wines website to order


See Saw Wines – Orange, NSW

Sparkling: 2019 See Saw Prosecco

For over 25 years Justin & Pip Jarret have been making cool climate wines from their three, high altitude, certified organic vineyards. This vintage Prosecco is clean and very well balanced with a silky creamy texture.

Special offer: 30% off RRP

See Footprint Wines website to order


Smallfry Wines – Barossa Valley, SA

Sparkling: 2019 Smallfry Pet-Nat Rose

Wayne & Suzi like to push the boundaries with experimental blends and obscure varietals from their old vine vineyard in Vine Vale Barossa Valley. Natural ferments, no additions, no fining or filtration. This savoury Pet-Nat is produced from a variety so rare that the winery still doesn’t know what it is, so they call it Vine X!

Special offer: 30% off RRP

See Footprint wines website for sales


House of Cards – Margaret River, WA

Sparkling: ‘Queen of Diamonds’ Blanc de blancs

A small family-run Cellar Door in Margaret River. Established in 2011 by Travis and Elizabeth Wray. Producing 100% Organic, Single Vineyard wines.

See website to order


Federica Rigoni Stern – Veneto, Italy

Sparkling: NV Rigoni ‘Il Giusto’ Extra Dry Prosecco DOC

Federica inherited the winery from her grandfather Gus, who founded the winery in 1963. A small 12 hectare vineyard entirely planted with Glera for premium Prosecco production. This Prosecco is a dry version with a very refreshing green apple character.

Special offer: Wines are 30% off RRP

See Footprint Wines website to order


Apollonis Champagne – Marne Valley, Champagne

Champagnes: NV Apollonis Authentic Meunier, NV Apollonis Theodorine Rose, NV Apollonis Palmyre Brut Nature

16th Generation Grower from the town of Festigny in the Marne Valley. A small family Estate who specialise in the production of Pinot Meunier.

Special offer: 30% off RRP

See Footprint Wines website to order


Cloak and Dagger –  Central and the King and Alpine Valleys in North-East Victoria

Sparkling: Cloak and Dagger – Prosecco

Vibrant aromatics punctuated by crisp apples and pears, zingy citrus and top notes of orange blossom. Delicate flavours of lemons and pears zip across the palate. Crisp and dry, this sparkling is bright and satisfying with a long refreshing finish. It’s perfect on its own or amazing in a spritz!

See website to order


Degen Wines –  Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Sparkling: Degen 2018 Sparkling Semillon Chardonnay 2018

We are one of the smallest commercial single vineyards in the Hunter Valley. Some 20 years ago we planted three of the great noble grape varieties that have been grown in the Hunter: Shiraz, Chardonnay and Semillon.  Our small Cellar Door has provided an avenue for us to meet wine lovers from far and near that visit us for tastings of our premium wines we produce, made by award winning winemakers.

Special offer and promo code: Free delivery and 20% discount. Use code: DEG365 at checkout.

See website to order


Printhie Wines – Orange, NSW

Sparklings:  Swift Sparkling – Swift NV Cuvée; Swift Sparkling Rosé; Swift 2012 Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir; Swift 2010 Blanc de Blancs; Swift 2016 Blanc de Noirs (to be released 2020)

From the highest vineyards in NSW on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mt Canobolas, an elite range of sparkling has been handcrafted by Printhie Wines. Brothers Ed and Dave Swift have made their mark on the Australian sparkling scene with their method traditionnelle Swift Sparkling. Exceptional winemaking, cool climate craftmanship and the luxury of time has created a trophy winning range of sparkling wine. Printhie’s passion for sparkling is demonstrated by the patience required to ensure each bottle of Swift Sparkling has been aged to perfection before release. Spending at least 5 years on lees with some up to 9 years. The range has won 10 trophies and over 60 medals in the last 4 years alone.

Special offer and promo code: Use ‘FREEDELIVERY’ coupon at checkout for free shipping.

See website to order


Tamburlaine Organic Wines – Hunter Valley, Orange and Central Ranges

Sparkling: On The Grapevine Preservative Free Sparkling ‘Au Naturel’

Tamburlaine was established in 1966. In 1985 the Hunter winery was purchased by a small group of friends and relatives led by Managing Director and Chief Winemaker, Mark Davidson. Mark has built his long-term winemaking philosophy around Contemporary Organic practices in the vineyard and the winery. After challenging years of research and development, we have become one of Australia’s largest producers of organic wines with vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Orange region.

Special offer: $16/bottle when you select 12 wines from this range. Buy two dozen or more to access $14/bottle. Limited time only.

See website to order


De Beaurepaire Wines – Central Ranges Region – Rylstone, NSW

Sparklings: 2016 ‘Marie Louise’ Prestige Cuvée; 2018 ‘Blanchefleur’ Blanc De Blancs;  2019 ‘Annabelle’ Crément De Rose

Founded in 1998 by Richard and Janet de Beaurepaire and now joined by their children Amanda & Will, De Beaurepaire Wines is a terroir focused wine producer from Rylstone, within the Central Ranges (near Mudgee and Orange) of NSW. The family originates from Burgundy, so Richard and Janet chose to pioneer wine production in Rylstone due to its similarity to the terroir of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy.  Their wines can only be found at their cellar door or in great bars, restaurants and hotels. In 2018 they were awarded by Winestate Magazine, ‘Best Australian Wine’ – a first for a NSW producer since the award inception 40 years ago; and Best Australian and New Zealand Dessert Wine.

Special offer and promo code: 

  • 25% off 12+ bottles & free shipping (code: ATHOME12)
  • 10% off 6 bottles & free shipping (code ATHOME6)

See website to order


Stomp Wines – Hunter Valley

Sparklings: Stomp Sparkling Verdelho; Stomp Sparkling Moscato; Limited Release Stomp 2017 Sparkling Chambourcin 

Stomp! Wines is a family business based in the beautiful Hunter Valley wine region. Husband and wife owned and operated, we stomp to the sound of our own drum. Our two stunning contemporary brands, Stomp! and Pssst ‘n’ Broke, say it all – relaxed, casual, maybe a little irreverent, but always authentic! We remain true to ourselves and our craft as we have fun creating all our wines to capture the true essence of ourselves and our stomping ground.

Special offer and promo code: Buy any 5 or more sparkling and we’ll add a free bottle (of our choice) with free delivery. Use coupon code – Bubbles

See website to order


Hollydene Estate Wines – Upper Hunter Valley

Sparkling: Juul Blanc de Blanc 2008

Located in the picturesque Upper Hunter region, Hollydene Estate is a beautiful destination location, with a stunning Cellar Door and award winning restaurant. 

With two of The Upper Hunter’s oldest and most iconic vineyards. The Juul Blanc de Blanc sparkling is a multi award winner, for Best Mature Sparkling two years running and Best Extended Yeast Age at The Australian Sparkling Wine Show.

Be sure to put Hollydene Estate on your ‘must see’ list when visiting the Hunter Region.

Special offer and promo code: 15% off – 15OFF2020 can be used multiple times. Valid until 30 Sep 2020 (not valid with already discounted sale items) or join wine club for 20% off and free shipping.

See website to order


Borambola Wines – Gundagai, New South Wales

Sparklings: Borambola Wines, VIII Sparkling Brut

Borambola Wines is a family owned business, specialising in 100% locally grown and produced beer and wine including, red, white, sparkling, Tuckerbox Hoppy Lager beer and apple cider. Borambola Wines philosophy is simple – we strive to grow the best grapes and to make the best wines. We do this by combining traditional ‘old world’ wine making methods with the upcoming technology advancements of the ‘new wine world’, as well as using organic and environmental best practice. We welcome visitors to our Cellar Door for tastings, as well as catering for weddings, ceremonies, corporate functions and special events.

Special offer: Buy 6 and receive a free gift

See website to order


Note: The Bubbles Review is not involved in selling wine. This page is for information only. All sales and deliveries are made with the wineries or distributors directly. Subject to their own licencing arrangements. You must be of legal drinking age to purchase. The Bubbles Review promotes responsible serving of alcohol. If you have any questions about purchasing, please contact the wineries directly.

Tassie Sparkling Cellar Doors

Tassie Sparkling Cellar Doors

I love a chance to visit Tasmania. I have trekked through some of its great natural landscapes, the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, Bay of Fires lodge walk, and Freycinet looking over the beautiful Wineglass Bay. But it is not just the scenery that I love; they also do food and wine exceptionally well! 

In particular, they make great bubbly! Tasmania’s reputation for producing some of Australia’s best sparkling wines is increasing each year, thanks to the pristine cool climate, which is very similar to the Champagne region of France and perfect for growing grapes for sparkling. Such is the reputation of sparkling wines from Tasmania, according to Tyson Stelzer, award- winning wine writer and reviewer “No region anywhere on the planet outside of Champagne itself makes sparkling as exceptionally as Tasmania”. High praise indeed!

My research for this blog was made up of a series of trips in 2018 and 2019 (as well as attending Effervescence a festival of Tasmanian Sparkling wine). In contrast to mainland Australia, Tasmania as an island state is compact, but it is bigger than you think, it is not possible to cover everything in a few days.  For the purposes of this blog I have broken it down into a few regions: the Tamar Valley (north near Launceston), East Coast (Freycinet), and Hobart and surrounds

As always, I suggest that you check the winery website to confirm opening times, tasting fees, and to make bookings for tours or meals, which I suggest that you do for most of the Cellar Doors with a restaurant.

There are so many sparklings on tasting here, a visit to the Cellar Doors really is a bubbly paradise!  I suggest that you will need a designated driver, and there are a few local tour operators that offer wine tours, which is always a good way to find your way around, Uber is available in Hobart and has now arrived in Launceston, and local taxis could also get you to the Cellar Doors that are located near to one of these cities.

Tamar Valley

The Tamar Valley Wine Route covers the wineries in this region, I realised this can even be broken into a few smaller regions: Relbia just south of Launceston, West Tamar, East Tamar and Pipers River in the North East of the Tamar.

The area enjoys a significant climatic advantage that is unique to the rest of Australia; that of very low day time temperatures caused from the local geographical features. The waters of Bass Strait cool the hot northerly winds, while the cool southerlies gain heat as they cross the island. Cool temperatures and significant sunshine hours make for ideal conditions to retain delicate aromas in the fruit. The frosty and sometimes wild conditions of winter give way to clear, crisp, blue-sky days through the growing season, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, assuring the lingering acidity essential to producing premium cool climate wines.

Relbia

Josef Chromy

This Cellar Door is around a 15 minute drive from Launceston. Josef Chromy OAM has been instrumental to the Tasmanian food and wine industry, having owned and developed some of Tasmania’s leading wineries including Rochecombe (now Bay of Fires), Jansz, Heemskerk and Tamar Ridge.

In December 2007, at 76, when most people would be thinking about easing up, Joe launched Josef Chromy Wines.  Joe fled his war-torn Czech village in 1950 as a penniless 19-year-old. “I came here with nothing but hope and ambition over 50 years ago. Tasmanians welcomed me and, with their help, I have been rewarded for the challenges and risks I have taken in both the meat and wine industries”.

Arrival at the Cellar Door rewards you with a venue that includes a stunning restaurant, overlooking a picturesque lake and vineyard. It is listed as one of the Top 10 Cellar Doors of Australia and the restaurant has been awarded a Chefs Hat in the Good Food Guide.  The menu features locally sourced produce, and you can enjoy dining in the restaurant or purchase a Cheese or Meat/Cheese Platters to enjoy in the grounds.

I visited during Effervescence Tasmania. The vineyard catered for this event very well, and a few of the smaller Tassie sparkling producers told me that they use the facilities at Josef Chromy and the expertise of chief winemaker Jeremy Dineen to make their sparklings. I visited the Cellar Door again in early 2019 and enjoyed a delightful meal in the restaurant.   There are a few sparklings available for tasting from the Josef Chromy and Pepik ranges, or available by the glass in the restaurant.

Bookings are required for tasting groups of 6 or more.  Behind the scenes wine tours are also available to be booked on the website.

On my recent visit, I got to meet the man himself! Josef Chromy and Natalie Pickett from The Bubbles Review

See website for more details

West Tamar

Tamar Ridge Cellar Door (Pirie)

Tamar Ridge Cellar Door is high in the hills overlooking the beautiful Tamar River.  I was very happy to find lots of sparkling on tasting and to learn the story of the Pirie range.  Pirie is named after Dr Andrew Pirie who has been a very influential figure in the Tasmanian wine industry, initiating and building some of Tasmania’s largest and most important vineyards and wineries including Pipers Brook Vineyard, and Ninth Island which he co-founded with his brother David in 1974 and Pirie sparkling in 1999.

Andrew Pirie no longer owns the Pirie label as it was sold to Brown Brothers around eight years ago, but he continues to be involved as a consultant and ambassador for the brand. He now has a new vineyard Apogee (more about that later), consults on wine industry development, conducts climate research and is writing a book on wine terroir.

I tasted the:

Pirie NV Sparkling, made up of around 12 different reserve wines, 65/35 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. Fine persistent bead and minerality.

Pirie 2011 Vintage Sparkling, 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, rich and toasty with great length.

Pirie 2010 Sparkling Rose, 100% Pinot Noir, very faint salmon colour, almost a Blanc de Noirs, rich palate and complex fruit.

Pirie 2009 Blanc de Blancs, 100% Chardonnay, lovely honey toast nose, creamy, complex with a long layered finish. 

Resident chefs Hubert & Dan, provide fresh, seasonal platters with local and house made cheeses, salmon and charcuterie to complement the tasting experience.

I made this my lunch spot and sat out on the deck with a view of the river through the trees, a platter and a glass of the 2011 Vintage whilst I made my notes. The perfect office!

See website for more details

Moores Hill

A small producer embracing innovation “We make wine powered by the sun” in 2017 they built Tasmania’s first 100% off grid winery and follow traditional small batch wine making philosophies with modern winemaking techniques. The small Cellar Door, is a cottage with a great verandah with views out over the vineyards.  Tasting plates featuring specially selected, local produce are available to complement the wines.

I met Fiona who manages the Cellar Door, and sales and marketing and her husband Julian, who is the winemaker.

I tasted the NV Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Single vineyard, hand vinified, hand bottled and hand disgorged. It is fine, crisp, and creamy cuvee and has been aged on yeast lees for 12 months. They recommend “Enjoy with oysters and good friends” which sounds like a good idea to me!

Since my visit I notice that this wine won a Silver Medal at the 2018 Tasmanian Wine Show. I also tasted a Blanc de Noirs from their sister vineyard Native Point which is on the other side of the Tamar and notice that they now have their own Moores Hill Blanc de Noirs available for purchase.

See website for more details

Holm Oak

This small rustic Cellar Door, is located a bit off the beaten track.  The staff here were very friendly and shared a bit about the story of this family owned winery.  They also shared some great tips on other sparkling Cellar Doors in the area.  I tasted the NV Sparkling which is a 60/40 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay. Lovely crisp citrus and green able with spicy berry notes from the Pinot Noir. 

Local cheeses, terrines and salmon products are available to purchase, to create your own platter with some lovely spots for a picnic with vineyard and rural views.  Some weekends the Bird n’ Herd BBQ food truck is also on site.

See website for more details

Goaty Hill

This wasn’t on my list but I dropped in here on the off chance that they might have a bubbles, and I was rewarded with one.  It is a small Cellar Door. The partners are close friends from two families who chose the Tamar Valley as the place to start their winemaking. I met Tony one of the owners who was very friendly and introduced me to the Goaty Hill Sparkling, which is described as Vintage, Baked Apple, Moreish. They also serve Gourmet Platters and Cheese Plates, available daily from 11.30 – 3.00 and can be designed for 2 people or more. 

See website for more details

East Tamar (including Pipers River)

Delamere

A small family friendly Cellar Door. This family business owned by Fran Austin and Shane Holloway, who are partners in wine and in life and they are producing a great range of quality sparklings.

“Delamere represents to me the opportunity to produce wines from the vineyard through to the glass, working alongside family with some of the finest quality fruit in the country.”

— Shane Holloway

Predominantly focused on Traditional Method sparkling wines, that are 100% estate grown and produced — a Grower/Producer in the true sense of the term, they describe that they are on a journey to create a unique range of handcrafted single site sparkling wines.

I met Alice the Cellar Door manager, and when I told her about The Bubbles Review, she found both Fran and Shane who generously spent time with me to share more about the story of the vineyard. Fran at the time, was juggling maternity leave with winemaking duties.  I could clearly see the passion and dedication of this hardworking team for achieving their goals of making sparkling wines of exceptional quality, and unique in character.

I tasted a few from this range:

Non Vintage Cuvée – a blend of vintages with the majority coming from 2014 vintage, with 30% of reserve wine adding complexity and depth. 2014 yields were particularly small, giving wonderful concentration of flavour. Around two years aging on lees.

Non Vintage Sparkling Rosé – pale salmon colour and an aroma of fresh strawberry and musk, 100% hand harvested Pinot Noir with reserve wine from 2016 adding complexity and around two years aging on lees.

2014 Sparkling Cuvée – the 2014 vintage delivered very small crops of exceptional quality and will be highly sought after. Rich and complex, opens with honey and develops through the palate, with stone fruits and fine line of minerality, a lingering and complex finish. Around three years aging on less.

2012 Vintage Sparkling Rosé – 100% Pinot Noir. Five years aging on lees and a low dosage of less than 2 grams allows the voluptuous flavours of the fruit to shine through.

2013 Blanc de Blancs – 2013 was something of a rollercoaster with some very warm, dry days and rain before vintage but this all lead to some intense flavours in the fruit and high levels of complexity. 5 years aging on lees and a low dosage of less than 2 grams.

2008 Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs – 100% Chardonnay. 10 years aging on lees and a low dosage of less than 2 grams allows the voluptuous flavours of the fruit to shine through and the clear acid backbone to be a focal point of this wine.

Local produce is available to purchase to ‘pick your own picnic’ emphasis is on seasonal produce that suits a picnicker’s palate. You can enjoy under the pergola, with the different tasting options.

See website for more details

Jansz

The Jansz Tasmania vineyard sits to the northeast of the island state within the Pipers River region of the Tamar Valley. This cool little corner is known colloquially as ‘Sparkling Tasmania’.

I learnt a few things about this area on my visit. Temperatures here are moderated by close proximity to Bass Strait. The ocean breezes keep the temperature up during winter – minimising risk of frost, and down in summer – allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop intense, delicate and refined flavours.

The soils are also an advantage, resting on a bed of pure, red, free-draining basalt soils, the Jansz vineyard is the perfect site to grow grapes for world-class sparkling wines.

Jansz has evolved as one of Australia’s most respected premium sparkling wines and has trademarked the term Méthode Tasmanoise.

“It could be argued we’re completely mad growing grapes in the wild and unforgivingly cold Tasmanian environment. But there’s méthode to our madness.

The climatic conditions of the Jansz vineyard rival the famed French wine region of Champagne. In fact, it was originally with French contribution that Jansz became Tasmania’s first sparkling made using the traditional Méthode.

Today we call it, Méthode Tasmanoise. It’s the essence of a partnership between the environment and our winemaker. Just as the cool Tasmanian climate creates spectacular beauty in nature, it is also instrumental in the creation of art in bottles.”

In a previous blog on Favourite Aussie Sparklings I included Jansz as one of my ‘go to’ labels.  I was so happy to be here at the vineyard and was pleased to meet the Cellar Door manager Maxine, already a subscriber to The Bubbles Review who was excited to see me and provided some great information to add to my notes. Maxine told me that it is still a family owned operation, a handcrafted and passionate brand who along with some of the other founders in this region (and supported by the study by Dr Andrew Pirie), recognised the similarity of this area with the Champagne region and the opportunity to create quality sparkling wines.  With added input from Jean Baptiste from the Louis Roederer Champagne House it is easy to see why Jansz has evolved as one of Australia’s premium sparkling wines.

The Cellar Door is the Jansz Tasmania Wine Room and includes an Interpretive Centre.  It is adjacent to the vineyard, overlooking a picturesque lake, cheese boards are available to purchase to enjoy with tastings.

There are around 6 sparklings on tasting and available for purchase. I tasted the:

Jansz Tasmania Cuvee 2012 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, spend 6 months in oak before aged for 5 years on lees. Complex aromas, lemon peach and hazelnuts. Layered and elegant.

Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 this Blanc de Blancs is not something that is made every year. It is limited release with each bottle numbered, as the name suggests it is from a single block of Chardonnay at the Jansz vineyard. The wine is 100% aged in French Oak and then spent 6 years in second fermentation in the bottle (aged on lees). Very pale gold colour, layers of citrus, almond nougat, with creamy texture and chalky long palate.

See website for more details

Pipers Brook

The Jansz and Pipers Brook vineyards share a driveway, and you will see a sign pointing to Pipers Brook just after the entrance. An unmade driveway over the hill through the vineyard, reveals ocean views as you drive through the vines to arrive at the architecturally designed winery building. At Pipers Brook you can taste Pipers Brook, Ninth Island and Kreglinger wines.

The café was closed for refurbishment when I was there, but has since re-opened featuring fresh, local Tasmanian produce.

In 2016 winemaker Natalie Fryar (formerly Jansz) joined the Kreglinger team “I’m so excited to be working with some of the best sparkling fruit in Australia found right here on the estate at Pipers Brook.” Natalie said “It will be my honour and challenge to oversee the sparkling program and from what I’ve experienced already, wine lovers are in for a real treat with our upcoming releases.”

There are already some great results. In his 2018 Sparkling Report, Tyson Stelzer listed the Ninth Island NV Rosé as the Sparkling Wine of The Year Under $25 (a great achievement for a Rosé) with Ninth Island Non Vintage Cuvee listed as a runner up for the title. The acclaim follows the Gold Medal win for the NV Rosé at the 2018 Tasmanian Wine Show.

Ninth Island Non-Vintage Sparkling, blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, this is another  good quality sparkling at a great price.

Ninth Island Non-vintage Sparkling Rosé, rose petals, fresh strawberry, spice and pouring cream. The blend showcases the Pinot Noir, supported by fresh zesty structure of Chardonnay. Rich layered palate.

There were several sparklings available for tasting at the Cellar Door. I tasted:

Pipers Brook 2015 Vintage Cuvee, lemon, rich brioche, oyster shells.

Kreglinger 2004 Brut de Blancs, 100% Chardonnay, a lovely Blanc de Blancs, full palate, depth of flavours.

Kreglinger 2006 Brut Rosé, 100% Pinot Noir, rose petals, ripe strawberries, cream with a great dry finish. 

See website for more details

House of Arras and Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires’ cellar door is the Tasmanian home of Bay of Fires, House of Arras sparkling wines.

Bay of Fires Wines was founded in the 1990s by a team of dedicated winemaking and viticultural professionals, who believed Tasmania would one day become the pre-eminent Australian region to produce cool-climate Tasmanian wines.

The philosophy for Arras sparkling wines is to create world class sparkling wines. Created by Australia’s most awarded sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr, outstanding fruit is sourced across Tasmania’s premium cold climate regions. The art of blending sparkling wine is one that can only be mastered by perfecting the craft, patience to allow the wine to mature at its own pace and the experience to know when it is at its best. The entire portfolio of Arras sparkling wines are held back between 3-10 yrs to give these wines the distinction, quality and maturity they require to be world class, unique sparkling wines.

Over the past 20 years Ed Carr has amassed more than 100 trophies in Australian wine shows including 21 consecutive “Best Sparkling White Wine of Show” trophies at capital city wine shows. In 2018 he became the only non-champenois to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London, alongside the legendary chef de caves of Charles Heidsieck, Dom Pérignon, Billecart-Salmon, Taittinger, Perrier-Jouët, Lanson and Pommery. To see Tasmanian sparkling acknowledged in such company on the global stage is an amazing achievement!

At the ‘Tasmanian Sparkling Takes on the World’ Masterclass that I attended at Effervescence Tasmania, in a blind tasting of eight sparklings including a few big name champagnes, the Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2003 was overwhelming voted the favourite.

It was Ed’s foresight and firm belief in the potential of Tasmania as Australia’s best sparkling fruit resource that was the driving force behind the company’s 1995 decision to produce Tasmanian prestige cuvée, evolving into the House of Arras range. December 2002 marked the release of the 1998 Arras – the first vintage made from 100% Tasmanian fruit.

The Cellar Door experience offers gardens with sweeping views over the vines, the winery and Pipers River. With local cheese and artisan pizzas to enjoy with the wines, this is one of the few sparkling wineries that served food in this area, so you could plan for a lunch stop here. There is also a seated Premium Arras Tasting Experience.

The staff here were great, I met Alicia and she generously shared her knowledge of the wines, the vineyards and the local region.

I tasted:

Arras Grand Vintage 2008 (just changed over from 2007). 65% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, aged for 7 years, complex full palate wine, lingering finish, aromas of toast, honeycomb, sourdough and nougat.

Arras Rose 2006 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay (with a dash of Pinot Meunier), a light salmon colour, it is barely pink, lovely savoury flavours balanced with ripe strawberries.

See website for more details

Clover Hill

Clover Hill is one of Australia’s very few premium sparkling houses solely producing sparkling wines in the traditional method. With the intention to produce a refined sparkling wine to rival that of great Champagne houses, Clover Hill was established in 1986 on the site of an old dairy farm in north eastern Tasmania. These first plantings produced Clover Hill’s debut vintage in 1991. Since this time, Clover Hill has become synonymous with elegance and refinement, gaining a reputation of uncompromising quality. A new Cellar Door opened in late 2017.

A long-time favourite of mine, I am in good company as it was chosen by royalty when ‘our own’ Princess Mary chose Clover Hill Vintage Brut to be served to celebrate her wedding to Prince Frederick. It was also selected as one of the four iconic Australian wines served to Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh during their Australian visit in 2011.

Clover Hill is acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest sparkling producers. With the cool climate and growing conditions of Tasmania being remarkably similar to that of the Champagne region of France, Clover Hill has been able to produce sparkling wines of quality, elegance and finesse.

Ian, the Cellar Door Manager discussed some of the background of the new building, the owners of Clover Hill (the Goelet family from France, who also own Taltarni in Victoria) wanted a Cellar Door to reflect the quality of the brand.

The new Cellar Door stays true to the 3 pillars of Clover Hill: terroir, method and blend.  This beautiful architect designed building with rammed earth walls made from the local terroir, features a tasting room that has doors opening up onto the deck with panoramic views of the vineyard, natural forests and Bass Strait.  Inside is a relaxing lounge area with plush ottomans, a tasting bar and a VIP room for Club Prestige members wanting a peaceful moment.

A perfect place to sit and taste your way through the Clover Hill range!

“The neomodern building sits at the top of our sloping vineyard so your eye is led down into the vines – which we encourage visitors to take a wander through – and on a clear day you can see the white caps of Bass Strait.”

Clover Hill’s commitment to excellence has been recognised with numerous awards including being inducted into the Australian Sparkling Hall of Honour in 2017, twice awarded Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year, and the Gourmet Traveller 2018 Cellar Door Awards – Best Tasting Experience.

Clover Hill is planted solely to the traditional sparkling wine varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These varieties are all trellised in traditional close proximity plantings. A strong focus on Chardonnay is acknowledged and rewarded with Tyson Stelzer naming the Clover Hill 2005 Cuvée Prestige Late Disgorged his Blanc de Blancs of 2018.

Some of the wines featured are available for regular tastings, some with the VIP Experience and some you won’t find in stores as they are only for purchase at Cellar Door.

Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvée Rosé, NON-VINTAGE – 54% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier – delicate salmon pink colour, with a soft and creamy mousse. Strawberry and dark cherry notes marry perfectly with the wine’s fresh brioche characters. The wine is well structured, with sweet red berries and cream enveloping the palate.

Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvée, NON-VINTAGE – 53% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier- Delicate and soft mousse, on the nose, notes of bright citrus, fresh apples, brioche and cream. On the palate, crisp apple pie and lime characters. Great drive and length.

Clover Hill VINTAGE 2013 – 63% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier blend. The palate is delicate and creamy, with fine bead and persistent mousse, light straw colour indicative of a chardonnay, has developed a golden hue during its three years on tirage. On the nose, it displays citrus and red berries, with a hint of toasted brioche. This is a delightful wine.

Clover Hill Cuvée Exceptionnelle Blanc de Blancs, VINTAGE 2012 – 100% Chardonnay. The 2012 Blanc de Blancs is a pale straw colour with a fine, persistent bead and mousse. Aromas of fresh melon, underpinned by toasty notes and sweet cinnamon. The palate is bold and rich with flavours of fresh citris with a persistent soft minerality the lingers on the finish.

Clover Hill Cuvée Exceptionnelle Vintage Rosé, VINTAGE 2013 – 100% Pinot Noir, limited release, is crafted via extended skin contact of Pinot Noir to create a soft, pink colour. Fine persistent bead and mouth filling mousse, rich flavours of strawberry and citrus with hints of brioche, with a fine crisp finish.

Clover Hill Cuvée Prestige Brut. VINTAGE 2005 – 100% Chardonnay. This limited-release Late Disgorged Brut. A vibrant rich straw colour with a persistent fine bead are precursors to the refined and gentle foaming mousse.  An assortment of fresh lemon curd and brioche, developed almond and toasty characters, it is the epitome of Clover Hill’s signature house style – a true combination of passion and patience.

Cheese platters are available every day and share plates with seasonal local produce are available on weekends.

The Clover Hill Elite VIP Experience , is a guided tasting experience and a great way to taste the range, which includes the limited release Exceptionelle and Prestige Blanc de Blancs, tasting plate and wine credit. It is $75pp and must be booked in advance.

Apogee

I mentioned earlier that we would learn more about Dr Andrew Pirie of the Pirie label whose name appears over and over in the history of sparkling wine in Tasmania. Aside from his continued research, published studies and consulting work, he has established the Apogee label.

The goal to produce very high-quality wines from a small, hand tended area that is operated on a commercial and sustainable basis. The belief is that the combination of the highly researched site with the latest knowledge of terroir theory is leading to wines that are very expressive of the terroir.

“A search for the ‘terroir’ of the famous French cool-climate areas of northern France in Australia led me to buy land in partnership with my brother David, in northern Tasmania in December 1973. This search study became part of my doctoral thesis on viticulture completed at the University of Sydney in 1977. The vineyard was named Pipers Brook Vineyard after the local brook and is now part of history. Pipers Brook’s second-label Ninth Island became the most widely distributed and recognised label from Tasmania. Pirie was the Pipers Brook sparkling wine label and was first made in 1995. It became the most awarded of all the wines I made and has been drunk by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on at least two occasions.

“I have continued to research wine climates and these days the knowledge is more precise in predicting ‘terroir’. In a paper at the International Cool Climate Symposium in Hobart in 2012 I selected the best index for predicting grapevine ripening in cool climates. When the opportunity to apply this learning arose again recently, I could not resist planting another sparkling wine vineyard in what appeared to be a grand cru sparkling site.”

The vineyard name Apogee, means the highest point.

The philosophy behind Apogee:

1. Use the latest climatology to locate a perfect ripening location for sparkling wine using the classic Champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier with a small amount of Pinot Gris known as Fromenteau in Champagne.

2. Produce only Single Vineyard wines so that the output fully reflects the distinguished vineyard conditions and intensive vineyard manipulations.

3. Restrict the scale to 2 hectares, which is the average size of a holding in Champagne. This is deliberately chosen to test the theory that the ability to manage vineyards perfectly limits their scale.

The Apogee project has had several objectives, the main being to produce traditional method sparkling that rivals Champagne. Others are to demonstrate how the latest knowledge of terroir can pin-point great sites and to show that single site sparklings can produce the best wine.

The Cellar Door is tiny, and Andrew wasn’t there on my visit, but the friendly family Labrador greeted me and someone came out from the house to show me the Cellar Door.  Apogee, the highest point is not just about a location, but also the zenith of accomplishment. Andrew Pirie, now in his 70s, is working on the culmination of his career, which is all about quality rather than quantity.  Only vintage wine is created and I tasted these two on my visit:

2014 Deluxe Vintage Brut. Light gold with fine mousse and a suitable foamy collar when poured.  Aromas range from bready, yeasty overtones through to perfumed red fruits and lemon-rind with a faint salty oyster-shell character which is part of our terroir.  Full palate with notes of toasty honey honey with a racy lemon finish towards the end. A vineyard blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier.

Vintage Deluxe Rosé 2014. Light salmon pink (almost rose gold) with fine mousse. aromas of cherry, raspberry and musk are typical of this vineyard and are found in this wine. The palate shows strong midpalate richness, faint salty oyster shell with cherry and floral tones.  A vineyard blend of 88% pinot noir and 12% chardonnay was hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, soaked on skins (saigné).

Apogee is located very close to Clover Hill, and you could plan your itinerary to visit to the two of them. You may want to check in advance if Apogee will be open on the day of your visit, or take a chance and check to see if the signboard is out the front on the day.

See website for more details

East Coast

Freycinet Vineyard

Founded in 1976, they have been producing sparkling since 1993. Geoff and Susan Bull cleared the site in 1978, planted the first vines in 1979 and established the first commercial winery on the East Coast. They were early pioneers in a new region which years later revealed exciting quality potential in wines. The region now boasts over a dozen different vineyards.

The Freycinet Vineyard and Winery is family owned with daughter Lindy Bull and her partner Claudio Radenti taking over the family tradition of gently handcrafting the wines. 

I tasted the 2011 Radenti Sparkling which is 69/31 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. It has spent 4 years on lees, I tasted green apple, citrus and some spicy notes that flow and merge with creamy, soft yeasty complexity and textures.  The Radenti sparkling heritage has received multiple awards and the 2011 had just won gold at the Tasmanian wine show. 

Lovely deck overlooking the vineyard to enjoy a drink and the view.

See website for more details

Devils Corner

“At Devil’s Corner we are dedicated to creating the finest wines imaginable, but in doing so we’ve had to make a home in one of the wildest places in Tasmania.”

There is an amazing view from this Cellar Door. “It’s a beautiful struggle, being caught between Devil’s Corner and the deep blue sea.”

It is a great lunch stop, as there is food made from local produce at Tombolo Café, fresh seafood from The Fishers and you can relax on the deck with a glass of wine to match, overlooking magnificent views of the Hazards and ocean.  There is also a fun lookout to climb. 

This was a very busy Cellar Door and definitely worth a stop for the view and something to eat.  There is only one sparkling produced under this label, the Devil’s Corner, Sparkling Cuvée NV. Fresh crunchy apple, and a touch of citrus. It is lively and fresh in the mouth with a dry refreshing finish.  80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. The second fermentation is done using the tank method, also known as the Charmat method, which produces bright, fresh fruit characters, in contrast the traditional method which produces a more complex flavour profile from aging on yeast in the bottle.

Devil’s Corner, like the Pirie sparkling label, is also owned by Brown Brothers.

https://www.devilscorner.com.au/

Spring Vale

Spring Vale Vineyard’s small and intimate Cellar Door is actually an old stable, which was built by convict labour in 1842 and is now heritage listed.

The stable has been preserved (with minor restorations necessary) and is now a unique cellar door building with a very historic feel.

The 2016 “Salute” Sparkling comprises 72% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier. The aromas show fresh strawberry and lemon zest and a hint of vanilla. Fresh berry fruit give some sweetness to the palate which is nicely balanced with Granny Smith apple, leading to a dry, savoury finish. A classic aperitif sparkling, delicious with Tassie oysters.

No café on site, but you can purchase a cheese box. There was a nice little picnic area set up with a tent for shade looking over the vineyard. 

See website for more details

Milton

With a focus on producing small quantities of handmade wine Milton are the winners of the 2017 Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year award.

There are two sparklings produced, but unfortunately neither of them are available for tasting.  They are available to purchase by the glass and take into the Sophie’s restaurant which shares the space.  Located in a lovely weatherboard building with big verandahs with views out over the lake and vineyard.

2010 Vintage Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir – 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir

This limited release Vintage Sparkling is a medium bodied style with some yeasty complexity and creamy texture. Aging on lees for 5 years has contributed to a fine persistent bead.

2016 Sparkling Pinot Noir Laura. A lovely pale pink sparkling wine made predominately from Pinot Noir. Refreshingly dry, elegant and crisp with strawberry and cherry flavours and a long fine finish.

I made this my lunch stop and paired it with a glass of 2016 Sparkling Pinot Noir Laura.  The restaurant Sophie’s is the creation of chef Sophie Bermudes, who trained in Bordeaux and has spent the majority of her career working throughout the south-west of France.  She has a French approach to Tasmanian produce. Guests can choose from a blackboard seasonal menu and take-away picnic options are also available.

Melshell Oyster Shack

This is not a Cellar Door. It is an oyster farm gate shop … and yes, it is a shack (well caravan), located about 20 minutes off the Tasman Highway near Swansea at a place called Dolphin Sands. You could grab a bottle of chilled bubbly from one of your Cellar Door visits and include a stop here for freshly shucked oysters straight off the farm. Yum!

See website for more details

Hobart and Surrounds

Bangor Vineyard Shed

A small family vineyard with four hectares of vines (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay), which are hand-tended.

At a latitude of 42 degrees 53’ south, Bangor’s vineyard is one of the most southerly in Tasmania, and the world, making it a true cool climate site. There is a beautiful view over Dunalley and Blackman Bay which you can view from the verandah or from one of the picnic tables on the lawn.  There is a cubby and sandpit for kids to play in. There is only one sparkling produced, but it was lovely, and matched with local oysters taking in the view it was a divine experience.

Bangor Vintage Sparkling (2012)

Bangor’s 2012 vintage sparkling is a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, made in the méthode traditionelle. A deliciously crisp sparkling displaying peach pear, white cherry and strawberry fruit flavours, balanced with creamy nougat and almond notes.

See website for more details

Frogmore Creek

Located 20 minutes from Hobart in the Coal River Valley, the Frogmore Creek Cellar Door is housed in a rustic homestead that looks out over rolling hills and the vineyard.

On the mezzanine floor you can take a walk around the display of art works depicting the history of winemaking in Tasmania.

There are a few sparklings on tasting from the 42 Degree South and the Frogmore Creek range. I tasted:

NV 42 degrees South Sparkling – 82% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Noir. Aromas of toasty brioche and delicate citrus subtly emerge from the fine beads. Full and crisp flavours of apples with lengthy creamy structure.  Fine and Subtle.

NV 42 degrees South Sparkling Rose – 90% Pinot Noir, 7 % Pinot Meunier, 3% Chardonnay.  This wine has a deep salmon colour with a nose of light strawberry flavours and fresh fruit. On the palate you should taste fresh red berry fruit with a creamy texture.

2016 Frogmore Creek Sparkling Cuvée – 64% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Meunier. Light beads, subtle, fresh and delicate. A beautiful wine.

The Cellar Door includes a restaurant featuring seasonal local produce from sea, land and garden, with a deck with views out over the vineyard and a big lawn area with some lawn games and space for kids to roam. I dined here and had a beautiful food match of Tempura Oysters with the Sparkling Rose.

You can now also visit the The Lounge by Frogmore Creek (Bar and Restaurant) located in the Macq01 building in Hobart, which is elevated over Kings Wharf. It is a lovely way to spend an afternoon enjoying views of the marina, whilst sipping a glass of their lovely bubbly.

https://frogmorecreek.com.au/


Stefano Lubiana

Stefano (Steve) Lubiana is a fifth generation wine maker who has carved out a niche in the Tasmanian wine industry. Steve identified the uniqueness that Tasmanian grape growing had to offer and tasted the potential for greatness. The family owned vineyard is around a 30 minute drive from Hobart and wraps itself around the picturesque foothills of the Derwent River estuary. Established in 1990 the majority of the estate is dedicated to biodynamically grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I love Stefano Lubiana wines and order them whenever I see them on a menu.

At the Cellar Door there is an Osteria, which can be described as a small ‘farmhouse’ style eatery in Italy.

The menu here is fresh, seasonal and based around what comes out of their biodynamic vegetable garden. They harvest honey from their own bees and pickle and preserve their own produce. Free-range meats are sourced from local farmers and wild caught seafood from the pristine waters of Tasmania.

We enjoyed a platter on the terrace with a glass of the NV Brut Reserve, before relaxing in the bean bags in the sun, taking in the view.  It was a delightful afternoon!  I tasted:

Stefano Lubiana NV Brut Reserve – multi-vintage blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that incorporates aged reserves of wine specially prepared for the production the house style of sparkling. The natural viticulture and low yields along with the reserve wine creates a sparkling wine that tastes so different – fruit-pure, intense, rich, creamy and complex. A Gold Winner at the Decanter International Awards. It is a great all-rounder sparkling wine.

Stefano Lubiana Grande Vintage 2008 – A blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) with 7 years on lees before being disgorged in May 2016. A delightful classic ‘Tassie Sparkling’ with plenty of natural acidity.

See website for more details

Moorilla at Mona

On my last trip I didn’t get to visit this Cellar Door as Mona was booked out for a Dark Mofo event.  I visited the winery about 20 years ago, which was very basic compared to today!  Now situated in the amazing Mona art gallery, (which I did go to the opening of), I agree with their website “Come and quaff Moorilla Wine and art. A match made in the proverbial. And what better way to experience it than a top-notch tour or two as part of Moorilla Experiences.”

The winery was founded in 1962 and focuses on a small, very high-quality output. From estate-grown fruit, the ultra-premium wines are made using small-batch winemaking techniques in a gravity-assisted winery. They do make some lovely sparklings. You could easily spend a half or even full day taking in all there is to see and experience, and they also offer amazing accommodation so you could stay overnight. From Hobart, you can take the Mona ferry, which is around 25 minutes, or around 20 minutes by car.

See website for more details

A big thank you to Clover Hill, Jansz and Bay of Fires who provided giveaways for our subscribers as part of our feature on Tassie Sparkling Wine.

Like to join me for our Tassie Sparkling Cellar Door tour? Visit our Events and Tours page for more information


Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review which is for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! At The Bubbles Review, we like to debunk some myths, make the art of drinking champagne accessible, explore bubbly regions and champagne bars, and provide events for you to join us and indulge.

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Margaret River Sparkling Cellar Doors

The Margaret River region is situated around three and a half hours South of Perth.  It is more than a day trip, at least three days would allow you time to discover some of the Sparkling Cellar Doors.

This is was not my first visit to Margaret River, but it was the first time I have visited to explore only the bubbles from the region. I love that the area has so much to offer – beaches, towering Karri tree forests, vineyards and rural views, local produce, gourmet food and, of course, the wine. On this ‘research’ trip during February 2018, I enjoyed pleasant mid-twenty degree temperatures, perfect for touring, and the warm days benefited from gentle sea breezes.

Sparkling wine is in its infancy in WA, but there are some nice bubbles developing.

You can explore the region by self driving, but then there is always the issue of limiting the tastings for the designated driver. This is why I love a winery tour, when someone who knows the area takes you to the best places and will, of course, also be the designated driver. In Margaret River, I was pleased to find a bubbles specific tour Margaret River Bubbles Tour.  With a background as a tradie and ex-rugby player, Mark, the owner, is an unlikely bubbles tour guide. He told me that the idea for the tour company came when he, his wife and a group of their friends visited the area on holidays, only to discover there was no tour catering for bubbles drinkers. An idea was sparked, and a few years later Mark and his wife moved to the area and established Margaret River Bubbles Tour. Prior to my visit, Mark gladly shared information about the wineries that produced bubbles in the area to help me with my planning, and I enjoyed a day out on tour with him experiencing the area. Mark only visits the smaller producers, so you can easily enjoy a few days exploring on your own and fit the day tour into your itinerary to cover some of the boutique wineries. Tours can also be customised to include visits to cheese, chocolates and olive oil, and they have just commenced a new tour featuring whale watching in season.

If you have a look at the list of Margaret River wineries, you’ll find over 95 Cellar Doors. Mark told us that even though there are around 130 vineyards in the region, they represent only 1% of the Australian wine market, but around 26% of Australia’s premium wine market. Only around 40 of these vineyards produce a sparkling wine.

The geology of the region is the oldest in Australia, and the gravel soils, microclimate, aspect and consistent maritime influence create ideal conditions for the region’s grape varieties.

I discovered that only a few wineries had their own sparkling wine facilities, and many of them have their sparkling wine produced locally by John Frazer – Frazer Woods Wines. As I travelled around, many people told me that I needed to meet John. He is an elusive character, but I was told that I could find him at his ‘sparkling shed’. Although it is not open to visitors, I was given directions to follow an old dirt road until I saw a sign that said ‘God’s Farm’, take that driveway and just turn up to see if he is there. I did find ‘God’s Farm’, but John wasn’t there. Instead, his son kindly showed me around and had a quick chat, but he suggested that I make contact with his dad. John kindly contacted me via our website afterwards to provide some more detail for me.

When planning your visit, I suggest that you check the Cellar Door websites for opening days and times, as they can change depending on the season.

Here is my list of Sparkling Cellar Doors:

Vasse Felix

‘Site of first vineyard and winery in Margaret River established in 1967’ is featured on a large sign as you enter the driveway.

Lovely options for food and wine tasting. Wine lounge for charcuterie, cheese and olives, and restaurant upstairs for an interesting menu of dishes featuring local produce. The estate has an Art Gallery and Sculpture park, and all spaces look out over the vineyard, which is quite close to the Indian Ocean. I couldn’t see the ocean, but I could smell the salty sea air as the breeze washed over the vineyard.

They have one sparkling, which is the Vasse Felix Blanc de Blancs. I tasted the 2016 Vintage that had recently been released after 18 months on lees, green apple and hints of French oak. The staff explained that the Chardonnay is from a parcel of vineyard in Karridale, which is in the Southern part of the region, and has a cooler climate.

The place was busy, but relaxed. You may want to book in advance for the restaurant. Behind the scenes tours are also available for booking on the website.

See website for more details

Swings and Roundabouts

Rustic relaxed atmosphere, open fires, cosy corners and a huge lawn with vineyard views. It is family friendly with lawn games, ping pong table, and tyre swings. Simple menu with local ingredients, woodfired pizza, with a few other options including charcuterie, olives, and arancini.

They produce two different labels:

Backyard Stories is the premium label sparkling produced in small batches – NV Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir, which has been aged for two years on lees. Brioche, toast, nutty, fine creamy palate, crisp notes.

The Swings and Roundabouts range is a larger production Sparkling NV, which is 100% Chenin Blanc, mid-palate fruit of guava, passionfruit, apples, high acidity.

My favourite of the two was the Backyard Stories.

See website for more details

Brookwood Estate

This family-owned vineyard, began as a bare paddock, until the family (although not originally from a wine background) planted out vines. The family’s experience and expertise has evolved a lot since then. I met Bronlee, the winemaker. She is the daughter of the owners and grew up here, and she loved it so much she studied to turn winemaking into her qualification and career. Funny enough, her nickname is ‘Bubbles’, so of course there needed to be a sparkling wine, and it is called just that – Bubbles. Brookwood’s bubbles is a blend of Semillion, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Quite fruity and a bit sweet, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The bubbles are added and not bottle fermented. For some on our tour, this was their favourite. It has a Zork closure – an imitation cork, one that can be used to reseal the bottle. We enjoyed lunch here as part of our tour – a lovely dining experience on the verandah looking out over the vines.

See website for more details

Howard Park

There were lots of bubbles on tasting here. Sparkling is a speciality of this family-owned winery, and they are one of a few to have their own bottling line for sparkling wine. The Howard Park Jeté Brut Blanc NV had recently won prestigious ‘Best Australian Sparkling Wine’ trophy at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London. This accolade has created such a demand for the label that it meant there was none available for tasting on my visit. Their bubbly expertise, however, was evident in the other sparklings on tasting.

Madfish Prosecco – released in October 2017, this is their first Prosecco. The grapes are from the King Valley in Victoria. Only available at Cellar Door.

Madfish Vera – Traditional method – 18 months on lees. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. Crisp, citrus fruit and apricot, very dry finish.

Jeté NV Brut – as mentioned above, in addition this Jeté range has also won two golds, and a silver award. Almost sold out on my visit, so it wasn’t available for tasting.

“There is some tough competition in the Australian Sparkling space, so it really is an honour to have won this award, as a Western Australian winery, not famed for their sparkling, it is a fantastic achievement.” — Chief Wine Maker, Janice McDonald.

Howard Park Jete Rose – 100% Pinot Noir, 18 months on lees. Mid-palate berry fruit provide richness and freshness, very dry finish.

Grand Jete 2013 – 55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir. The blend varies depending on the best grapes for that year. It has been a Blanc de Blancs before. The first vintage was in 2009, and there are plans to release a vintage each year, depending on the harvest. This was fresh and fruity, with complexity through mid to full palate.

There were a couple more available for purchase but not tasting:

Pascal, Marchand and Burch. Limited vintage created in collaboration with the French champagne house. The Australian collection is made here under direction of Pascal. For the French collection, the fruit is sourced locally by Pascal to create the Marchand and Burch range.

Franck Bonville Champagne is also imported and sold here. I queried why, as there was not a winemaking collaboration – “because it is awesome”, that’s what they told me at the Cellar Door! It wasn’t available for tasting, so for now, I will take their word.

There is no restaurant here, but Howard Park hosts festivals where catering is brought in. December is ‘Bubbles and Blooms’, January ‘Oysters and Revelry’, February for Chinese New Year, Asian street food, and they also create a pop-up restaurant on some weekends. I suggest that you check their website for events before visiting.

I asked about availability to purchase their wines on the East Coast, and they told me that there is limited distribution. If you are keen to try any of the range, either visit the Cellar Door or order online.

See website for more details

Leeuwin Estate

Leeuwin has a great heritage in the region, being one of the first vineyards established in 1969. This is the site of the great Leeuwin Estate concerts. As you approach the entrance of the Cellar Door, you can see posters from the legacy of this great event, as well as the stage set overlooking the lawn, providing an inkling of the excitement of being at a concert here. Artwork is also a feature of this estate through their Art Series labels, which features paintings commissioned from leading contemporary Australian Artists. You can visit the art gallery onsite, which shows these wonderful works. It is worth spending time to explore. I didn’t dine here, but the menu at the restaurant looked nice and afforded views over the lawn to the concert stage.

I tasted the 2014 Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay, with 60% Pinot Noir. It has spent some time in French Oak before bottle fermented – three years on lees. Oyster shell, lemon, lime and apple on the palate, bright and racy mouth feel with a dry finish.  Great aperitif style.

See website for more details

Voyager Estate

Wow, what a sense of arrival! The estate is the vision of the founder Michael Wright. Built in the style of Cape Dutch architecture with stunning gardens, with spectacular Wine Room and Restaurant. The biggest Australian flag in the Southern Hemisphere flies from the flag pole to greet you as you enter.

“Inviting everyone to come and enjoy a glass with us in Margaret River. The perfect combination of food, wine and the warmth of family and friends is what a visit to Voyager Estate is about … every feature of the Estate is designed to give you an inspirational experience.” The estate is still family-owned, with Michael’s two daughters taking over the reins since his passing in 2012 – continuing the direction of style as their father did.

I tasted the 2015 Blanc de Blancs, which had a lovely nose, small bead and creamy texture with citrus featured. It is limited release and small batch. I thought it was delightful, but was disappointed to hear that the 2015 will be the last vintage as they will now only produce the Project Sparkling Chenin Blanc, which I also tasted, dry finish with a fruity mid palate. I am not totally converted to the Chenin Blanc. I did prefer the Chardonnay.

Allow some time for a visit here. The estate is very big, and I spent time just sitting and looking out over the rose garden and kitchen garden that look out over the lawns to the vineyard. They have guided tours, a private tasting room, daily tour of the estate, which includes a walk through the vineyard, learn about tending the vines, show through the winery and barrel room as well as the biggest underground cellar in Australia. Tastings are available at the Cellar Door, and there are also sommelier-created wine flights, cheese and charcuturie platters, and a restaurant serving a degustation menu as well as High Teas on the weekend. Most of these need to be pre-booked which you can do online.

See website for more details

Watershed

Great looking venue, but I didn’t stay to taste. As is the case with some Cellar Doors, they didn’t have their sparkling available for tasting. I assume that you can order it by the glass in the onsite café or restaurant. They do have one sparkling, which I had tasted previously at my hotel. It is the Blanc de Blancs 2013 – 100% Chardonnay grown on their estate vineyard. Produced as an aperitif style of sparkling using the ‘Méthode Traditionnelle’.

See website for more details

Xanadu

Yes, I did have Olivia’s tune ringing in my ears as I drove the along the driveway through the vineyards into Xanadu. I had visited here before, many years ago, but the Cellar Door was in a shed at the time. The sense of arrival now was something a bit more spectacular, with architect-designed visitor facilities of the Cellar Door and open plan restaurant looking out onto a ‘chill out’ courtyard, where people were lazing in the sun, sitting on bean bags and sipping wine. I did think that perhaps I had arrived in Xanadu.

The staff were great, and everyone was so friendly and helpful. They told me the story of how the vineyard was given its name. When the eccentric Irishman Dr John Lagan, who loved poems and literature, settled here with his wife Eithne, to establish one of the region’s earliest vineyards (1977). Dr Lagan said that he had found the land of paradise, an idyllic setting, where there are now 65 hectares of vines, and he called it Xanadu. The winery has since experienced some transition in ownership. It was publicly listed, but is now privately owned by the Rathbone family. Successful winemakers and owners of other great Cellar Doors (think Yering Station, Yarrabank and Mount Langi Ghiran), the Rathbone family looked to expand into Margaret River. The potential of Xanadu was recognised by them as having the combination of great viticulture, great wine making facilities and great tourism facilities.

At the Cellar Door, I tasted the Xanadu 2014 ‘Methode Traditionelle’ Brut, which was delightful. It is 100% Chardonnay with a very low dosage, it is almost what is called a Brut Nature. It has spent some time in oak barrel, and then three years on lees. All made onsite, hand-picked, small batch. The palate had some citrus and brioche. I made this my lunch stop and this was a perfect food match with the Soft Crab Corn Fritters. The only disappointment is that due to the small production, it has since run out of stock and no longer available to taste at the Cellar Door. The next bubbly release will be the 2016 vintage, due for release in 2019.

Don’t despair, bubbles are still served in the restaurant. The advantage of being part of the Rathbone group, is that there is always wine of good pedigree on hand! Another delightful bubbles, the 2012 Yarrabank Cuvee Brut ‘Methode Traditionnelle’, which is made through a joint venture between Champagne Devaux and the Rathbone’s Yering Station in the Yarra Valley, is currently being served until the next vintage of Xanadu is available.

See website for more details

Clairault Streicker BdB

The scenic driveway off Caves Road winds through farmland and native forest, bringing you to the lovely Cellar Door and café with an outlook over the vineyard. One sparkling on tasting here.

2014 Streicker Blanc de Blancs – Sonja the Cellar Door manager told me that it was “frightfully easy to drink”, and she was right. It is made in the traditional method with two years on lees. Lemon zest, granny smith apple and a bit of brioche and toasted nuts.

See website for more details

Fermoy Estate

Lovely building, this is a smaller Cellar Door, with no café onsite. It is family-owned, and the staff told me that one of the loveliest ways to experience the wines here is to enjoy a picnic under the leafy trees on the front lawn, or take a seat in the Cellar Door with a glass of bubbles and enjoy the atmosphere.

They only make vintage bubbles, and I tasted the Fermoy 2013 Pinot Noir Chardonnay. Pinot Noir led at 60%. Small parcel, hand-pruned, hand-picked from Pemberton Region, which is bottle fermented in the traditional method and aged on lees for four years. It was a lovely bubbly, characters of creamy lemon, brioche and toasted nuts with a delicate and persistent bead.

See website for more details

Sandalford Wines

Their Margaret River Cellar Door is much smaller than the one in the Swan Valley, and this one sits in the middle of a beautiful country garden surrounded by grape vines. There are picnic tables under a covered pergola and free BBQ facilities. There are also a variety of local artwork, wine accessories and Sandalford merchandise available for purchase.

I tasted the Sandalfords NV Sparkling, which is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Only available at Cellar Door, crisp, lemon, zesty with a creaminess from time on lees.

See website for more details

Cape Grace Wines

This is a small Cellar Door, a little off the beaten track. We were very lucky to receive a bit of a behind the scenes tour here. Harvest was underway for some varieties, and we watched some whole batch Zinfandel being crushed. The winemaker told us that it was an experiment to try to make sparkling Zinfandel. Not sure how that is progressing, but we did taste the 2017 Cremant de Grace – Sparkling Chenin Blanc, which had hints of lemon meringue, a touch of citrus peel, and finishes with a beautiful lemon/lime acidity.

See website for more details

Harmans Estate

Harmans Estate is a family-run, premier small-batch winery. They explained to me that they are one of a few wineries in the region who processes, produces, bottles and labels all onsite, ensuring the integrity and heart and soul of Harmans is in every bottle.

One of the specialities is wine distilled into pure, smooth high-proof spirit (Pisco). I didn’t try it, but I did taste the 2013 Sparkling Pink Pinot Noir – crafted from 100% Pinot Noir, 36 months on lees, strawberries, raspberries, with layers of marmalade and spicy fruits.

See website for more details

Old Kent River

This is a small Cellar Door, of rammed earth structure with a rural outlook. There is no restaurant onsite, so it is only a tasting stop, but there are some picnic tables that you could make use of and a lawn that kids could run and play on if you had the family in tow. A small selection of local cheese and produce is available to purchase, and ‘make your own’ platters to enjoy with a glass of wine, or you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

Their sparkling is called Diamondtina (the diamond of the range). The staff were very friendly and talked me through the range. I tasted the 2006, which is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. It has spent eight years on lees (which is a long time for an Aussie sparkling). It is their museum release with limited stock. The staff explained that the Cellar Door used to be much further south in Denmark, and has recently moved to Margaret River. The Pinot Noir is single vineyard from the owners’ family property in Frankland River, which is cooler climate and much better for Pinot Noir. Also available was the Diamondtina 2008, which is the same blend and has spent six years on lees, with hints of French Oak. There is also the Diamondtina NV sparkling Rose, which is the same blend, but has spent three hours on skins to give the pink colour. Fruity with a dry finish. Not too complex, an easy drinking wine.

See website for more details

Firetail Sparkling

This is a very small Cellar Door. The space has an emphasis on wood, built with local Jarrah teamed with French Oak from barrels used to age their wines. The Cellar Door, Jessica the owner told me, is “like our wines, hand-crafted, stylish and pretty special.”

Jessica was very happy that the new Firetail Sparkling had just arrived. It is a Blanc de Blancs made from 100 % chardonnay, which is from a friend’s vineyard. A portion of the base wine was fermented in French Oak barrels before secondary fermentation in the bottle in the traditional method. The wine was aged for 30 months on lees before disgorging in February 2018.

See website for more details

The Berry Farm

At the Berry Farm, I discovered wine made from a different kind of fruit – berries. The helpful Cellar Door staff arranged for Mike the winemaker to come and have a chat with me, and guide me through the tastings on offer. I discovered that fruit wine can be made from virtually any plant matter that can be fermented. Most fruits and berries have the potential to produce wine. There are a number of methods of extracting flavour and juice from the fruits or plants being used, pressing the juice, stewing and fermenting the pulp of the fruits are common, however few foods other than grapes have the balanced quantities of sugar, acid, tannin, nutritive salts for yeast feeding and water to naturally produce a stable, drinkable wine, so these products require the addition or sugar or honey to make them palatable and to increase the alcoholic content (sugar is converted to alcohol in the fermentation). I tasted Strawberry, Passionfruit, and ‘Tickled Pink’, which was a blend of lemon and elderberry. I do think that it is an acquired taste. I don’t think I was converted, as they are very rich and mostly sweet. I can see though that there would be a market. “I don’t think there is a fruit I haven’t tried fermenting”, said Mike. He mentioned that the best food matches would be spicy food (yes, a sweeter wine works better with spice), dessert or a bubbly breakfast. I moved onto a coffee from the café before setting off. It was a nice impromptu stop for me. It is a good family-friendly place, with a kids adventure playground, café, produce shop and (fruity) Cellar Door.

See website for more details

Flametrees

Small family-owned Cellar Door, with no vineyard, but yes, flametrees that greet you at the entrance, as well as featured on the label. I may have had the Cold Chisel tune ringing in my ears whilst tasting. Lovely light flows through large windows into the Cellar Door, with views out to the open lawn to relax at a picnic table for a tasting, and space for kids to play. Food selection is platters, with local cheese and produce.

I tried the Blanc de Blancs, which has been aged for three years and the NV, which is 30% Pinot Noir, 70% Chardonnay. The winemaker here was previously the winemaker at Voyager Estate.

See website for more details

Mongrel Creek

Rustic is not quite the word, but the Cellar Door reminded me a little of the Ettamogah pub. With a name like Mongrel Creek, what does one expect?

The owner, Larry has a no BS approach, and told me that as a small family-owned winery, their primary focus is on producing quality wine at an affordable price.

The bubbles on offer were the 2012 Le Mongrel Sparkling, which is 100% Chenin Blanc, which had been aged for five years, and Le Mongrel Sparkling Rouge – aged for two years, which is 100% Cab Sav. These are usually released in small batches of 1,096 at a time.

See website for more details

House of Cards

Another small family-run Cellar Door. Established in 2011 by a young couple Travis and Elizabeth Wray. Travis is the winemaker and Elizabeth takes care of the marketing. Their young family also feature on their website. The attention to detail here is remarkable, hand-made neck tags and hand-made labels on the bottles. We visited as part of bubbles tour, and they had kindly arranged for a Queen Bee Magnum to be opened for our visit.

We tasted the 2015 Queen Bee Vintage Magnum, which has spent two and a half years on lees, single vineyard Blanc de Blancs, citrus and creamy. As this is a magnum, this one could be cellared for longer to bring out more complexity in the wine. We also tasted the 2015 Blanc de Blancs Queen of Diamonds, three years on lees, green apples, pears and buttered toast dominate the aromatics.

The Cellar Door also features a great range of art and jewellery by local and Australian artists. For food, the nearby Chow’s Table provides traditional Chinese/Malay cuisine with a modern twist, overlooking the vineyard, and Gabriel’s Chocolates is also in this corner of Caves Road, so you might allow some time to explore here.

See website for more details

Windows Estate

This is a small family-owned and operated business, just over the road from House of Cards. Walk-ins are fine, but they do ask that advance bookings are made for groups of six or more people. They have won the Gourmet Traveller Small Cellar Door award for the past three years.

This is not just single vineyard production, but it is a single person vineyard. Chris, the owner, has worked the vineyard completely on his own from day one, which he says is the only way to meet the high standards he sets for himself. He spends the vast majority of his time in the vineyard. He knows it like the back of his own hand, hand-pruning every single one of the vines himself, year after year.

I tasted the 2016 Mousseux – 100% Chenin Blanc made in the traditional method.

The residual sugar after dosage is minimal, so it is predominantly fresh green apple aromas, zesty citrus notes. This is an elegant sparkling wine, delicate fine bead and smooth creamy texture with a refreshing clean finish. With my preference for a Champagne style, I hadn’t been convinced with the trend in Margaret River for a sparkling Chenin Blanc, however this one did convince me. Definitely worth a tasting.

See website for more details

Credaro

Family-owned, four generations of the Credaro family, a pioneering family to the region, first settling in Margaret River in 1922 after migrating from Northern Italy. Initially involved in farming and the timber industry, small plots of vines were planted to provide the family with table wine.

2013 Vintage Sparkling – 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir. All grapes sourced from the family vineyards in Margaret River, within a 50km radius. Made in the Traditional Method, this sparkling wine has delicate aromas of spiced apple and grilled nuts with subtle yeast characters. The palate is finely structured with layers of citrus, brioche and white peach.

This Cellar Door doesn’t have food, but they can do catered events. They did have a small selection of boutique clothing and homewares available for sale, so you can tie in shopping with your bubbles tasting. The terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy some bubbles with lovely rural views.

See website for more details

Windance

Family, Heritage and a passion for great wine – is the tagline here. I tasted the 2016 Glen Valley Blanc de Blancs – apple, sherbert, citrus – traditional method, 15 months on lees. Fresh, vibrant with crisp finish.

The Chardonnay is sourced from Wilyabrup, which means ‘place of water’.

This family-owned vineyard has a new Cellar Door. They explained that they are in generational transition from Father to daughter Billie, and the son-in-law Michale (with French winemaking experience), is the winemaker. The focus is on producing quality wines, whilst incorporating sustainable land management and environmentally-friendly viticultural practices.

See website for more details

I would like to acknowledge Mark from Margaret River Bubbles Tour and Margaret River Tourism for providing assistance with this trip.  Margaret River Tourism will now feature this blog as their information on Margaret River Sparkling Cellar Doors.

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Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review which is for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! At The Bubbles Review, we like to debunk some myths, make the art of drinking champagne accessible, explore bubbly regions and champagne bars, and provide events for you to join us and indulge.

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