Bearbrass wine tasters took a deep dive on June 28 into the product range from a boutique vineyard Place of Changing Winds, derived from "Warekilla" in the Wurunjeri language. It's located between Macedon and Mt Bullengarook. A hilly, rocky place, surrounded by forest and at 500 metres elevation, it offers a cool climate. The viticulturalists’ idea has been to create a largely self-contained environment, run without synthetic chemicals and using a system of labour intensive practices. They're designed to maximize life in the soil, quality and expression of place in the wine. The wines of the night were the two whites, both Marsanne/Roussane blends and clear winners! As with organic veggies, organic wine is pricey. Tasters agreed that the wines were certainly pleasant, but at the recommended retail prices ($34--53) the value proposition didn’t stack up. Our other two wines, Heathcote 2017 shiraz ($60) and Yeringberg Marsanne Roussane ($75) were price-hefty but good. Our tastings at $25 a head enable us all to enjoy this sort of excellent wine.
Below: Dinner afterwards at a friendly pub.
