South West Life

My last article on Xanadu Wines shows just how great the Cellar Door experience can be, and that the new Xanadu are putting out some fantastic wines that are regionally and varietally expressive, and excellent value for money.  Here is my take on just two of Xanadu’s latest offerings from their Next of Kin Range – the 2009 Chardonnay, and the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Slowly travelling down the long, gravel driveway to Xanadu Wines in Margaret River’s cellar door, you could be forgiven for thinking you are at any number of wineries in the region.  The long driveway, surrounded by rows of vines on either side, brings you to what would seem to be an unassuming building when you reach the car park.  But upon walking up to the entrance, you can immediately see that there is much more to Xanadu than meets the eye.

As the gates opened at Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River for the annual Vintage Festival, it looked as though the spattering of rain, and dark storm clouds rolling in might cast a shadow over the event.  But it didn’t stop the hundreds of wine and food enthusiasts from lining up to experience the delights that the Margaret River wine region has to offer.

Developing markets for wine producers across Australia is a tough gig at present, given the issues facing the industry.  Sourcing new distribution channels for wine is a top priority for producers, and a new opportunity for introductions to potential export markets is being presented by the Small Business Development Corporation and South West and Great Southern Development Commissions, for Western Australian winemakers.

It’s almost time for the annual Margaret River Wine Region Festival to kick off for another year.  From the 8th to the 12th of April, 2010, a showcase of Margaret River’s finest wine, food, music and arts is presented at a series of events at locations across the region.  What a perfect opportunity to rediscover one of Australia’s premium wine regions.

It is a stinking hot day in Margaret River, and I am heading to the office of the man behind Wine by Brad and Mantra Wines for a chat about the business.  The “office” of Brad Wehr (Chief Executive Brad), is absolutely stunning.  A gorgeous little café overlooking the Indian Ocean in Gnarabup is the perfect setting.  It is easy to see why he loves the region so much, and our chat reveals much more about his passion for great wine.

One of the things I love about my job in the wine business, besides getting to taste some extraordinarily good wine from all over the place, is that I also get to meet some interesting and genuinely great people in charge of producing some of the wine I have the good fortune to taste.

Ferngrove have been producing wine in Frankland River since its inception in 1998.  In the short amount of time between then and now, they have built their reputation as a leading premium wine producer in the region.  

Xanadu Wines, of Margaret River, have cleaned up at the 2010 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show, which was held on the 1– 4 February, 2010.

Last review I gave a little introduction to Amberley Estate and the Chimney Brush range that they produce.  The Chenin Blanc is clearly a winner amongst West Aussie wine drinkers, so I thought that this time I should spend a little time looking at one of the red wines in the range – the Chimney Brush 2007 Shiraz.