Australia

What a perfect island! It is like a small perfect world with mountains, lakes, rivers, hills, ocean all around, and very friendly people. Unfortunately I arrived in Hobart 4 hours late, because I missed my plane in Melbourne – they should announce to non-Australians that the time changes by 30 minutes from Adelaide to Melbourne. However, I didn’t realize this and showed up to the gate as the plane was leaving – with my luggage (which I believe is illegal). Regardless, I was forced to wait and catch up on emails in the airport. When I called my mother, she [...]

I want to go back here again! I didn’t have enough time – only 2 days, and it rained one day, but this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has pure white sandy beaches (see photo), a warm turquoise ocean, and over 120 wineries close by. What is not to love? I flew into Perth and drove 3.5 hours south to Margaret River which is on a peninsula in the south part of Western Australia and surrounded by water on 3 sides (the Antarctic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and Geographe Bay). First stop was the famous [...]

This was the third time I had visited the Barossa - -the first time in 1995 when I went to Yalumba, Wolf Blass, and Penfolds. Then again in 2003 when I visited Wolf Blass again – for the whole day -- as well as Penfolds Grange near Adelaide and Rockford. This time, I went to a small winery that I hadn’t heard of in the U.S., but apparently is a cult winery in Australia -- called Greenock Creek. In fact, while in Rutherglen I had someone recommend I visit because he said “the wine will change your life.” I think [...]

It actually snows in Adelaide Hills in the winter time in Australia, because it is a higher elevation north of the town of Adelaide. It is very beautiful and filled with charming little towns. The main winery I visited here was called The Lane where the owner was kind enough to give us a tour of his state of the art equipment. It was brand-new and spotless with an amazing basket press and a mistral which is a windblower that sorts the grapes. He also had his own nitrogen generator, Mueller stainless barrels that rolled on their own racks for [...]

I left McClaren Vale at 8am on Tuesday morning and drove north towards Clare Valley. They told me the trip would only take about 2 hours, but I got lost in Adelaide and didn’t arrive in Clare until 11am – just in time for my second appointment with the Annie’s Lane winemaker. He let me taste 6 different Rieslings from different vintages and terroirs – which were quite fascinating. We went through the complete winemaking process, but they were unable to show me the winery because the wine is made at Blass in the Barossa. Transporting the wine to another [...]

Since my relatives (Uncle Gary and Aunt Marilyn) live in McClaren Vale, I have spent the most time visiting wineries and tasting in this region. It is just 30 minutes south of Adelaide and quite close to the ocean. There are lovely vineyards on the hillsides and big gum trees, as well as small charming towns and the ocean with white sand beaches near by. Quite an enjoyable place to live. On Sunday afternoon, I had an interview at Noons and was able to tour the vineyards and winery. A very special small winery with an allocated wine list. I [...]

On Sunday, I drove to Uncle Gary and Aunt Marilyn’s house in McClaren Vale. They have an 80 acre ranch just outside the own on the hills above the vineyards. The nearest wineries are Wirra Wirra and Noon’s. Gary and I spent the afternoon wine tasting and then went 4-wheel driving on the property in search of kangaroos. I was amazed at how many we saw – at least 15 that evening but they are difficult to catch on camera (see video & photo). To date, I have now seen at least 40 kangaroos on their property – some are [...]