Known for producing premium wines in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, Nepenthe has been at the forefront of the region’s cool-climate offerings for nearly thirty years. Now, following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the reimagined Nepenthe cellar door in Balhannah offers a worthy stage to experience the brand’s award-winning wines.
Nepenthe winemaker James Evers says the new cellar door will cement South Australia as one of Australia’s premium wine states and Nepenthe as the benchmark for the region’s cool-climate wines.
“For decades, our approach to winemaking has been minimal intervention with maximum quality results. Now with the outstanding new cellar door experience, we can showcase the vibrant, fresh and textural point-winning wines that we produce here, including our 94-point Sauvignon Blanc and our new release APEX Pinot Noir. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience it,” James says.
A 30-minute drive from Adelaide, Nepenthe’s revitalised cellar door has sustainability and premium winemaking at its heart. Boutique design specialists Black Rabbit Architects and Interiors, and South Australian father-and-son builders Templeton Built, brought the vision to life, creating four distinct spaces within which you can enjoy the regionally nuanced, faithfully varietal wines.
Lined with sandstone and honey-toned timbers, the light-filled gallery is ideal for indoor grazing and guided wine flights, while the ruby-red APEX room hosts exclusive tastings around a bespoke timber table by local artisans Timberwolf. With a curvaceous custom leather couch by Adelaide-based designers Agostino and Brown, the atmospheric barrel room is perfect for private events, intimate tastings and celebrations.
Outside, sprawling lawns and a timber deck offer views over the Adelaide Hills and beyond, inviting guests to enjoy a relaxed picnic on the grass or savour a curated selection of Adelaide Hills produce.
In keeping with the reimagined space, the tasting experience at Nepenthe has also been elevated. Visitors can take the self-guided Taste of Nepenthe flight at their own pace, or opt for a guided wine-tasting menu, with a choice of sparkling and white, red, alternative European varietals, or renowned regional drops.
2021 Nepenthe APEX Pinot Noir
Lifted notes of cherries and raspberries and hints of potpourri. An amazing depth of flavour consisting of red fruit with some dark cherry and sweet spice, the luscious mid palate then runs into a long velvety finish.H. What do you love about this wine?
N. The fresh and bright vibrant red fruits and floral perfume, with its velvety grip. This style of pinot noir delivers beautiful flavour and elegance.
Best enjoyed: Pair with stuffed mushrooms or a variety of game meats including roast duck or lamb. Drinking beautifully now, with cellaring potential of five plus years.
RRP $60
2021 Nepenthe APEX Chardonnay
This is a wine of great intensity that shows flavours of nectarine, then softer white peach with sweet spice and hints of roasted nuts. The textural mouthfeel has a long, zesty citrus-like finish.
H. What do you love about this wine?
N. The poise and focus that this wine and the Adelaide hills delivers is the part we love the most. It gives a great framework to work with on fruit and classy oak balance.
Best enjoyed: Pair with soft and creamy cheeses like brie, camembert or ricotta, grilled fish or shellfish pasta. Drinking beautifully now, with cellaring potential of seven plus years.
RRP $60
2021 Nepenthe Pinnacle Nebbiolo
Bright notes of raspberries and red fruit with hints of spice. The palate shows delicate red fruit and earthy leather before a long finish with fine grippy tannins.H. What do you love about this wine?
N. This wine is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is light coloured and has a bright, fresh fruit nose, yet delivers a flavour-packed palate with a classic nebbiolo grippy finish.
Best enjoyed: Pair with mushroom risotto, cured meats or rich tomato based pastas. Drinking beautifully now, with cellaring potential of three to five years.
RRP $35
The Nepenthe cellar door is open daily from 10am to 5pm at 93 Jones Road, Balhannah, SA. Visit nepenthe.com.au for more information or to pre-book your tasting and food experience.
