Sitting down with Robert from Yalumba, Stanton learns that the vines on the estate were planted in 1849. This marks Yalumba as the oldest established winery in Australian history. Yalumba was born after the founder of the estate, Samuel Smith, located gold during the Gold Rush. He used this gold to buy land, build a house, and plant vines. Today Yalumba celebrates 170 years of family ownership, and their buildings are still in their original stone form. Heading to the tasting room, Stanton is greeted by Jane, the estate’s storyteller, and tastes their 2013 Yalumba The Caley Coonawarra Barossa Cabernet Shiraz. She finds an aromatic lift, with blackcurrant, spice, and star anise present. Jane shares her resemblance with a Cherry Ripe after she tastes the wine.
Stanton then travels to Henschke, a winery that James Halliday commends as the “most distinguished Australian winery” with “history dating back 150 years”. She chats with Steven, a Henschke family member and winemaker, about their philosophy on using minimal resources to create as Steven shares “better over bigger” varieties. Steven’s wife Prue is an honoured viticulturist and talks Stanton through their sustainable practises and commitment to using minimal water. This in turn produces grapes that burst with flavour. Stanton tastes the 2017 Henschke Julius Eden Valley Riesling which gives citrus notes, as well as tart and mineral flavours.
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