THE SHOALHAVEN COAST.

Many people visit the famous Australian vineyards when they go Down Under; from the Hunter Valley to Margaret River, from the Barossa to the Yarra Valley you’ll always receive a warm welcome. However, on a recent visit to Sydney, I broke with tradition and drove two hours south into the lesser-known Shoalhaven Coast vineyards.

The Shoalhaven coast includes the Crooked River, Silos, Two Figs, Mountain Ridge, Coolangatta, Cupitt’s, Cambewarra, Lyrebird and Yarrawa estates where investment and expertise are flowing in, resulting in ever-improving wines to help Australia keep ahead of the global wine game.

I visited Crooked River to get an insight into the other side of the Aussie wine scene and of course, to enjoy their popular cellar door and restaurant, such an important part of the Australian wine experience.

Overlooking the Tasman Sea, this beautiful 100 acre estate enjoys a cooling maritime climate and is planted with 42 acres of vineyard, the red grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sangiovese whilst in the white corner its Chardonnay, Semillon and Riesling. All the grapes are hand-picked for swift delivery into the onsite winery which boasts temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks and a cellar with both French and American oak barrels for ageing.

Crooked River white wines are headed by their single vineyard Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Winemaker Peter Lane also buys in grapes from nearby vineyards to produce his Verdelho, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling, the first two varieties being sourced from the prestigious Hunter Valley vineyards north of Sydney.

The reds are headed by the single estate, single variety Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz labels. Two of Peter Lane’s other reds, Saddleback Mountain and Illawarra Estate, are a blend of these two classic grapes from both the Crooked River vineyards and the nearby Hilltops region.

So, if you find yourself Down Under don’t be afraid to visit this amazing country’s lesser-known vineyard regions.

See you there!