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Woodlawn + Walcher Distillery + Bondar tasting this Saturday!

by Annandale Cellars
Woodlawn Tasmania
We have always loved Ricky Evans' study of Tasmanian sub-regionality with his Two Tonne label, sourcing fruit from growers in the east (EST) and south (STH) of the Apple Isle, as well as from his northern home in the Tamar Valley (TMV).
But last week, when we tasted the single sites under Ricky's Woodlawn label, his Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs really bro
ught it home to us.
Those of you familiar with Ricky's Dog & Wolf label will in fact already be familiar with some of the incredible generosity of flavour offered by the Tamar sites; his stunning off-dry Dog & Wolf Riesling is a blend of the warmer Three Wishes Vineyard on the lower eastern banks of the mid-Tamar, and the cooler Waverley Vineyard that overlooks the valley from the higher but drier plot just east of Launceston.
Both the Three Wishes and the Waverley vineyards were planted in the early 2000s with Ricky leasing the sites from 2017 and 2015 respectively. The latter was rather an undertaking, where the vines had been left derelict for years, but even through the jungle Ricky could see the site's potential, painstakingly nurturing the vines back to health over the last eight years. From abandoned to cultivated, in 2021 Ricky finally had enough grapes from these low-yielding vines to share the fruits of his labour, and the results are extraordinary.
We see incredible things to come for Ricky's celebration of the Tamar single sites, but with yields being so limited for this first release, the Woodlawn Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs won't be hanging around for long! - Peta W

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Walcher Distillery

In 1966 Alfonso Walcher first distilled Grappa with the grapes grown on his farm in northern Italy's Alto Adige, the farm that had been passed down his family for nine generations.

Since that time, the Walcher family has continued to distil liqueurs and amari that champion the produce of South Tyrol: its vines, orchard fruits, herbs, spices and even grains are all grown locally as the raw ingredients that flavour the family's growing list of digestives.

Alfonso's sons Theodor and Matthias have overseen the farming converted to certified organic practices, with the family committed to creating a sustainable local product for the future generations. The Wacher family's ethos is to "revive old recipes with new technologies, and convey the authentic taste of the southern part of South Tyrol". Besides imparting delicious flavours to their distillates, the organic fruit they grow is all about aroma.

As we move into the cooler months, and the desire for the comforts of a big, hearty meal to warm the soul, a liqueur or amaro can be a wonderful way after the meal to "aid in the digestion". We do not back up this cozy claim with medical science as we are not doctors; we just know what tastes good.

Click on the link below to explore the range of the Walcher Distillery, or discover more of our delicious, small-batch, family-owned distilleries, local and abroad, with our collections of Aperitifs & Vermouths, Digestifs & Amaro as well as Liqueurs.

Salute! - Peta W

 

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Bondar

Tasting 3rd June

Saturday 3 - 6pm

Bondar is the label of Andre and Selina Bondar. The couple source fruit from growers in the Adelaide Hills as well as their home in the McLaren Vale. Their Rayner Vineyard straddles the border of subregions Blewitt Springs and Beautiful View, and the site offers great dichotomy between the perfume-producing sandy soils and the structure-founding clay soils.

South Australian star varietals Shiraz and Grenache have of course been present on the property since the 1950s, and the Bondar's love the fragrance and elegance that the sandy soils impart on their old vines. Even their Mourvèdre/Mataro has a lovely spiced softness and is given the Catalan moniker Monastrell to set it a part from the usual SA-Tannic beasts of the southern state.

Bright, light, intriguing wines sumarise the ethos of Bondar, the result of early picking, wild ferments, aging in everything from oak to egg, and playing around with a little whole bunch, a style that stems back to Andre's days doing vintage with the late, great Godfather of Crozes-Hermitage, Alain Graillot. - Peta W

On pour tomorrow:

- Rosé 2022

- Nero 2022 Nero d'Avola

- Monastrell 2022

- Junto GSM 2022

-Violet Hour Shiraz 2021

- Rayner Vineyard Grenache 2022

- Rayner Vineyard Shiraz 2021

 

 

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