Function Report - Nagambie Coach Tour

Sunday 16th March 2008

34 members and 11 guests took the opportunity to travel to the Nagambie Wine Area on Sunday 16^th March 2008.  As we needed to be at Tahbilk by 09.00 am we did not stop for the customary paté etc after our last pickup, but drove straight to the winery.  Geoff Dennehy provided some crackers to munch on as we travelled, and they were a nice accompaniment to the chilled fruit juices served by the committee.  It is pleasing to report that we had a near full coach with only one vacant seat available (due to minor, late accident of a member which precluded attendance on the tour).

Unfortunately, Barbara Cecchi, who normally prepares a quiz, trivial pursuit or some other way to pass the time, was unable to come on the trip, and so the committee decided to test the tourists’ spelling and grammar abilities by distributing flyers about the next two Guild functions, one of which had a deliberate mistake.  One by-product of this was that members and guests had to read the notice completely if they wanted a chance to win the prize.  Committee may do more of this so that we ensure notices are read in future!!  Many picked up the accidental mistake, but Liz Scott, who may have had an advantage in that she worked for a number of years with your correspondent, and who is aware of his pedantry, picked up the incorrect use of an apostrophe.  Betty Layton correctly answered when Tahbilk dropped “Chateau” from its brand name (2000.) Both winners won a bottle of the Guild bottled red wine (which is available from committee members and is drinking very well at the moment).

We arrived at Tahbilk slightly before we were due at 09.00 am and stretched legs for a couple of minutes before entering the tasting area.  I do not think that the people attending to us realised that the tourists were there to learn about the winery and wines as well as taste and purchase.  We were invited to take ourselves on a tour of the cellars and look round the tasting room, but were not given a presentation about the rich history of Tahbilk.  Many of our members are not connected to the internet, and even though we all have heard about “Tahbilk” or “Chateau Tahbilk” over many years, it is nice to receive an insight to the environment of the establishment that we are visiting.  Bob thanked Geoff Hamence and assistant Julie for the tasting and opening early for us. 

I have taken the liberty of plagiarising from Tahbilk’s brochures and website to give members a small insight into this important part of Victoria’s heritage.

Tahbilk was established in 1860, and is one of Victoria’s oldest wineries.  The property comprises some 1,214 hectares and has 200 hectares of vines.  Tahbilk has 11 kms of river frontage to the Goulburn River and eight kms of permanent backwaters and creeks.

Grape varieties grown at Tahbilk include the Rhone Whites, Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne; the Rhone Reds, Shiraz, Grenache and Mouverdre; as well as traditional varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho.

Harvest is conducted in March and April, and approximately 1,600 tonnes of grapes are processed.  This translates into about 100,000 cases with just over 20% being exported to USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Ireland and Scandinavian countries.

The cellars Tahbilk are most intriguing.  The original cellars were dug in 1860, and the “New Cellar” was built in 12 weeks in 1875.  The brochure states that the “New Cellar”s was constructed by James Purbrick, an antecedent of the current owners, and that 16,200 cubic metres of soil was removed by barrow and horse drawn cart.  (It would be interesting to find out the strength of the actual construction team.)  The bricks for the cellar were burnt on the property, and the arched roof was laid without a keystone.  There is storage in both cellars for 365,000 litres of wine in century old American, French and Polish oak casks varying in capacity from 1,137 to 6365 litres.  Each of the bins (see pic – is Joyce counting the bottles?) contains approximately 8,000 bottles.

Unfortunately we did not have time to take either the walk or boar tour of the wetlands.  I think it would be interesting to have the time to explore wetlands and the complete Tahbilk establishment including museum, and other historic buildings on this unique site.

After an hour at Tahbilk we boarded M.V. Major Mitchell and steamed, leisurely, to Mitchelton Winery.  It was really a great change to idle down the river, looking at the scenery and having our coffee, rolls, cheese, etc.  Pat, our hostess, let us all know that she thought the new pipeline taking water from the Goulburn to Melbourne was not a popular solution to our current water shortage.  Many members agreed with her.

In 1967 Colin Preece was commissioned by Ross Shelmerdine to find the best site for premium wine grape growing in South Eastern Australia.  The first vines were planted in 1969 and the first vintage was in 1973.  In the same year, the spectacular winery, cellar door complex and 55 metre tower was opened.

We were welcomed into the cellar door and allowed to wander, enjoy the art gallery and taste as we wished.  As at Tahbilk, it would have been nice to have been given some information about the wines and processing at Michellton, but that was not to be.  Suffice to say it was interesting, particularly if you took the opportunity to take the lift up the tower and view the vineyard. 

The difference between those vines at Tahbilk and Mitchellton that were still receiving water, and those that were not being irrigated at this time is quite marked.  The irrigated vines have plenty of leaf cover and are a lovely, deep green, but the non-irrigated vines are well on the way to becoming brown.

And then it was time to go to Plunkett Fowles.   Here we were welcomed by Ian Firth and given a short history of how the Plunkett and Fowles families came to marry their respective skills into the current company.  After the introduction we commenced our lunch: 50/50 chicken or beef – but that belies the lovely taste and presentation of the meals, accompanied by Plunkett Fowles wines.  The wines were a reflection of the welcome we were given – absolutely delightful, and the service in the restaurant was friendly and efficient.

The President extended a thank you to Ian, Chef Adele and her staff.

Finally we travelled, and travelled and travelled and travelled to the Brave Goose Vineyard.  Our guide and also the driver missed the entrance sign (which was not particularly prominent), and then we had a drive of more than a kilometre to the actual cellar door.  The driveway was built for cars, not a 46-passenger coach.  Peter, the coach captain, did very well to squeeze into this particular winery.  Because of the delay in arriving at Brave Goose, our hosts were disadvantaged in that it was a hot day, they had the wines and glasses ready for us when we were expected, but we were some 30 minutes late.  The wines were not presented well because of the heat.  We all felt sorry for John and Jo Stocker who made us welcome, but could not control the heat, and its effect on their wines.

Bob thanked Jo and John for setting up a table for our afternoon tea and providing an insight to the Brave Goose Winery. Ross, was also included in the thank you for providing a tasting of his locally produced olive oils and chutneys.

And so ended another successful Wine Guild Tour.  Our thanks go to the staff at Tahbilk, Mitchellton, Plunkett Fowles and Brave Goose wineries.   Patrons of the Guild are urged to show their support for these wineries that made us welcome, and gave us an insight to their wonderful wines.  We hope to see you at the next Guild function – remember to book early to secure a place.

Report by Adrian Corkeron