#Leeuwin Estate

[viatalium]

[wine-porn]

Margaret! Margaret come here!

This is a decent wine. Nowhere near awe-inspiring, and barely ticking the boxes of interesting. Nice color and density, heady dark perfume showing dull concentrated cherry, green wood, tar and earth. Expressive and pretty, but there’s a jammy, dripping forwardness to it, giving the whole package a cheap feel. Perhaps I am just jaded by Napa Sonoma and Bordeaux, but no complexity ever materializes…

[filmbytot]

Yung & Vivian, Leeuwin Estate

[atotaltaitaitale]

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For somebody who doesn’t really drink i managed to do tasting in a couple of places. One at one of the largest winery, Leeuwin Estate and another at the small Arlewood Estate.

I know how can I have been an expat wife for 20 years and not really drink!!! Plus I’m French doesn’t wine run through my veins ;-)

[leanpick]

Telethon Leeuwin lunch for generous VIP philanthropists and business leaders raises record $4.4m for sick kids

Telethon Leeuwin lunch for generous VIP philanthropists and business leaders raises record $4.4m for sick kids

The generosity of some of Perth’s most high-profile philanthropists and business leaders was on full display at the annual Telethon Leeuwin lunch, where staggering donations were made to help sick children. A record $4.4 million was raised at the event, up almost $1 million from last year. The Horgan family, hosted at their Leeuwin Estate winery in Margaret River and donated all the food and wine…

[margaret-river-wine-tours-blog]

Wine Tasting in Margaret River Western Australia

Located about 3 hours south of Perth, Margaret River is one of Australia's most interesting wine regions. Thanks to its location on the west coast, it benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate and gentle ocean breezes which create perfect humidity levels and make it ideal for viticulture.

Here are over 200 vineyards covering nearly 55 square kilometers of vines. And although the region is mostly made up of relatively small boutique wineries, a quarter of Australia's premium wine comes from Margaret River!

So, whether you are a lover of red, white or rosé, here you will surely find something that will make you happy among the wide range of different wines produced.

WHEN TO VISIT MARGARET RIVER

Margaret River is a year-round destination and the wineries are practically always open for tastings. Summer (from December to January) is certainly the best time to visit as the vineyards are rich in fruit, and the atmosphere is enlivened by the events that take place in the area.

Margaret River wine tours are also great during the harvest, between January and February, and in the spring, between September and December, when the vines begin to sprout again and fill with color.

Winter tends to bring many couples on romantic getaways from the city, where they find fireplaces, outdoor firepits and a lineup of winter foodie and wine events during the winter festival Cabin Fever. You will find a slightly colder climate but will still be able to make the most of visiting cellars and attractions or can enjoy romantic dinners at restaurants in town or winery restaurants running special events.

WHAT WINERIES TO VISIT

Anyone traveling to Margaret River cannot miss a wine tasting at Vasse Felix. This winery was the pioneer of viticulture in the region. Dr. Thomas Cullity established his first plantations in 1967 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, and Riesling.

The vineyards are located at varying distances from the ocean in order to obtain a good diversity of mesoclimates and exposures. Its historic heart and oldest vines are in Wilyabrup, and the other parcels are in the north of the region, in Carbunup, and in the south in Karridale.

Their restaurant is on the second floor of a beautiful rotunda-style wooden building and offers incredible views of the estate.

Chardonnay lovers, Voyager Estate is the place to go! Their Chardonnay wines always receive enthusiastic reviews from the critics.

Not only that, this family-owned independent winery is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque ones in Margaret River, and their restaurant has been awarded in the top 5 by the WA Good Food Guide Awards 2019! So make sure to come empty stomach and bring your camera to take photos under the lovely rose arched walkway or among the pristine vineyards.

Those who want to learn about the history of Australian wine and winemaking techniques should take a tour at the Leeuwin Estate, one of Australia's most visited wineries, with an award-winning restaurant and a beautiful art gallery.

The estate, owned by the Horgan family, was established in 1972 when Californian winemaker Robert Mondavi advised them to turn their sheep farm into a vineyard. The first vintage was marketed in 1979 and the estate immediately stood out for the great finesse of its Chardonnay and Cabernet.

Another symbol of Margaret River's wine production is Cape Mentelle. The winery takes its name from the nearby promontory, named after two famous French scientists, the geographer Edmund Mentelle and his brother, the cartographer Francois-Simon.

Their main focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's most emblematic grape.

Cape Mentelle is rather a unique place reminiscent of the South of France: there are even petanque fields to play a bit between one wine tasting and another. And don't miss the fantastic outdoor cinema during the summer months!

Established in 1996, Cape Grace is a small winery owned by Robert & Karri-Davies. Their artisanal wines are produced in limited quantities and come from a single vineyard in Wilyabrup, a site nestled in a natural forest.

Their flagship wine is Cabernet Sauvignon, but their range also includes an elegant Shiraz, a luscious blend of Cabernet Shiraz, a complex wood-aged Chardonnay, and a delightful Cane Cut Chenin Blanc dessert wine.

In 2004 Cape Grace was included in the "Ten of the Best New Wineries" by the Australian Wine Companion.

Those who love small wineries should not miss Mr. Barval, where winemaker Robert Gheradi and his wife have created the perfect atmosphere for wine lovers. Robert, who has Italian origins, cultivates typical Margaret River varieties such as Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet, alongside some Italian and French ones.

Their production includes an early harvest Nebbiolo called Nebbia and a white inspired by the Rhone Valley, called Mistral base Viognier and Marsanne. The winery also hosts an interesting Aboriginal art museum.

Once you've tasted the wines at the well known vineyards, our suggestion if you are a regular visitor to the Margaret River wine region, is to always try new wineries, as many of the more intimate wineries don't see as many guests as the bigger names, yet feedback from guests is that the smaller wineries are usually the best experience!

If you are coming to Margaret River and keen to tour the wineries you choose at your own pace with a small group of friends, get in touch for a Private Wine Tasting Tour of Margaret River Wine Region

[ginzawinebarg5]

Leeuwin Estate ルーウィン・エステートは、1972年にカリフォルニアのロバート・モンダヴィが高級ワイン造りに適した土地を探し、ルーウィンのオーナーであるデニス・ホーガンとジョイント・ベンチャーでブドウ栽培をスタートさせたことから始まりました。 最初の本格的なワインは1979年ヴィンテージでしたが、1980年のアート・シリーズ・シャルドネがいきなり国際的な注目を集めることとなります。 英国のデキャンタ誌が、ブラインド試飲による評価でルーウィンを世界最高のシャルドネとして選んだのです。 以来国内外で数々のトロフィーやメダルを受賞し、今ではオーストラリアを代表するワイナリーの一つとなっています。 ルーウィン・エステートは今や世界が認めるワイン造りの理想郷マーガレット・リヴァーに拠点を置いています。 オーストラリア西南端のこの地は、遥か昔のカンブリア紀には島でした。それが地殻変動により陸続きとなりましたが、ミネラルが多い石灰質と岩が砕けた水はけの良い土壌から、ブドウ栽培に適した環境地となりました。 しかも太平洋、インド洋、南西洋という3つの海がぶつかっているので温度変化が少なく、また海洋性気候なので夏になっても夜は涼しい、まさに理想的なテロワールと��えます。 ルーウィン・エステートはブドウを丁寧に育て且つ収穫量を抑え、個性を活かしたワイン造りを行うために、いかなる努力も惜しみません。 また、ワインについてくるライフスタイルの提案ということで、食事や芸術にも注目し、ワインそのもの以外でトータルで企画しています。アート・ギャラリーやレストラン、コンサート会場もあり非常に幅広い実践が行われています。 グラス１杯から美味しいワインをお楽しみ頂けるGinzaWineBar G5 (Ginzawinebar G5) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSRIjzVFRdT/?utm_medium=tumblr

[philthewineguy]

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2018 World's Best

Is there a better Margaret River Chardonnay than Leeuwin Estate Art Series? In vintages like 2018, it's probably Australia's best. 

Is there a better Margaret River Chardonnay than Leeuwin Estate Art Series? Or indeed, is there a better Chardonnay in Australia? There is no doubt to anyone who has tasted Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay that is it world-class. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay comes from vines planted in 1974. It has depth and concentration. Under screwcap, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay holds its…

[seewantshop]

Aperolutely fabulous 💥see what I did there? @audiaustralia @gourmetescape #AlwaysAudi #AudiAustralia #GourmetEscape (at Leeuwin Estate)

[gocurrentcom]

A renowned wine touring region that welcomes kids

A renowned wine touring region that welcomes kids

Leeuwin Estate, one of the more well-known wineries in the area, has a restaurant, tasting room and art gallery with works by Australian artists that also appear on its “Art Series” wine labels. Even with this level of sophistication, the estate welcomes kids to play on its rolling lawns. Owned by a young family, Windows Estate boasts a large grassy area visible from the tasting bench that is…

[viatalium]

[filmbytot]

Leeuwin Estate Art Gallery

[ball-of-wool]

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower 🍂 This was actually taken just a couple of weeks ago so I’m only pretending it’s autumn here but who could resist with all these golden tones? #AndiniRiainWA (at Leeuwin Estate) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIAZstvhvQz/?igshid=1nsux01wr1rzi

[leanpick]

Ray Jordan’s verdict on the 2019 release of Leeuwin Estate’s esteemed Art Series chardonnay

Ray Jordan’s verdict on the 2019 release of Leeuwin Estate’s esteemed Art Series chardonnay

The 2019 Leeuwin Art Series chardonnay may well be one of the most polarising yet released. Coming hard on the heels of the wonderful 2018, it provides stark contrast in style. The 2018 was rich, generous and almost opulent with its luxurious palate structure. But the ’19 is entirely different. Its tight, linear structure and distinctive chalky, minerally high-energy acidity aligns it closer to…

[lodgeontour2018]

Bloody NBN

POSTSCRIPT: NBN came back up again! We can post tonight.

Sorry this isn't being posted on Thursday evening, as planned. Margaret River is connected to NBN and it is the slowest, most unreliable internet service we have encountered in the developed or developing world. Good one, government. It's a dud.

Firstly the sad news. We received a call from Helen, one of our neighbours today to inform us that Elizabeth, a neighbour since we moved to the The Lodge, passed away last night.

Elizabeth was an interesting person, and there was no such thing as a quick chat with her. But she was a kind and generous neighbour to us. She also didn't have the best of late childhood/early adulthood. Her family was in the Dutch East Indies when WWII broke out and fell to the Japanese. A woman of her age was very vulnerable and exploited.

Vale and rest in peace, Elizabeth.

Back to our travels.

We started the day with a drive down to Cape Leeuwin, almost 50km south of Margaret River. Several claims to fame - Australia's tallest mainland lighthouse, the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean and Australia's most southwesterly point, meaning it was the first sight of land after rounding the Cape of Good Hope in Africa when heading here by ship.

On the approach to Cape Leeuwin, we followed a Britz Campervan. It slowed down quite suddenly, came to a stop in the middle of the road and then put its hazard lights on, which we thought was quite odd. And then out waddled a miniature daschund. It was so cute, but shouldn't have been wandering around on a road like that by itself. It waddled back onto a footpath and down a side street, so we figured it was heading home.

We did the leisurely stroll through the grounds with the audio-guide, but did not venture in for the tour to the top. Mainly because of Michael's acrophobia, but also our thighs are still store from our spelunking adventure at Ngilgi Cave!

Headed back north through the town Augusta and turned toward the west to come back via Caves Road. So named, because we drove past Mammoth Cave, Jewel Cave, Lake Cave and had we continued back to Ngilgi Cave.

Passed through the giant Karri forests. There is supposed to be a tree top walkway through the trees, but stuffed if we could find it. Not that we would have done it (must really do something about that acrophobia). We did find a place to park next to a viewing platform that afforded us a great panorama of the forest.

A little way further along, we cut onto side road heading back toward Margaret River. It might seem strange in this day and age, we were actually navigating all of this by way of a paper map, and didn't get lost once.

Stopped into Leeuwin Estate winery very briefly. Not having seen much of civilisation for an hour or two we were peckish and after a light lunch. Something that Leeuwin didn't offer. Very lovely estate, though, with a nice stage for hosting concerts. In March, Jackson Browne will be playing there. In the past they have been hosts to names like Diana Ross, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Sting and a host of other names.

Then onto Voyager Estate. This property is massive and has an Australian flag flying out front larger than the one that flies above Parliament House in Canberra. Which also means a mighty flagpole.

Beautifully manicured gardens, including a rose and kitchen garden. Stunning. We also managed to get a share platter of terrine, salami and pastrami with a bread cooked on site. Just what we needed. Substantial enough for a light lunch, but not heavy enough to spoil dinner (and this was about 2:30pm). Peter enjoyed a glass of SSB with the lunch. Michael, the designated driver, did with water.

We then did a wine tasting of their reds - three sample glasses (25mL each - so across the three about half a standard drink, so driving after that was not a problem). The third one we tasted was outstanding - a mouth explosion - Cab Merlot with a grape we had never heard of before. Thought we might pick up a bottle or two of that (if we purchased wine, the tasting was free). Realised why we liked it so much - it was $70 a bottle. We settled for the first wine we tasted, which we picked up on special for $48 for two bottles. We now have six bottles packed to bring home with us.

We only found out last weekend, via a courtesy email from Great Southern Rail, that once we check our bags in on Sunday, we will not have access to them again until Sydney. We need to pack a cabin bag. Luckily, we included in our luggage such a thing, which we purchased in Bakersfield, California. It also means if all six bottles make it to the train in our packed luggage, they are safe (from us).

From there we did program the sat Nav. One of our hosts in New Norcia recommended the Melting Pot Glass Gallery in Margaret River - she was friends with the owners.

This was the back streets of Margaret River and he had to negotiate a mob of kangaroos both on approach, and leaving.

Gallery is not quite the term we would have used for this establishment. More like a corrugated iron shack in a paddock outside someone's run down trailer park. We did venture in, and although the kiln was blasting away on full heat, not a soul to be found.

Back out and back to the Bridgefield Guesthouse. That is when we discovered the NBN is broken. We did sit in the shared lounge (available to guests from the four rooms). Very well appointed and the main furnishing piece is four seats from (we presume) the WA parliament upper house (they are red).

Heading off shortly for some more fine dining and by the time we post this, we will have made the 350km trek back to Perth. We will take our time, and while we have nominated to have the car back by 4:00pm tomorrow, there is no pressure as we have until 10:00am on Saturday to return.

[ginzawinebarg5]

ルーウィン・エステート Leeuwin Estate オーストラリアを代表するプレミアム・ワイナリー。 ロバート・モンダヴィに見いだされた土地の歴史 西オーストラリア州、マーガレット・リヴァ―で1973年に設立されたこのワイナリーの始まりは、あのロバート・モンダヴィが深く関わっています。 カリフォルニアワインを率いるロバート・モンダヴィが1970年初頭に、オーストラリアを訪れます。 オーストラリアで高級ワイン造りに適した土地を探していたモンダヴィの来訪により、自分の足元に広がる農場がブドウ作りに適していると知ったデニス・ホーガンは、ワイン造りをする決断をします。 デニスは自分で土地を開墾し、モンダヴィの指導の下で1974年に植え付けを始めました。4年後の1978年、ルーウィン・エステートのファースト・ヴィンテージが誕生します。 1980年の「アート・シリーズ・シャルドネ」がほどなく国際的に注目され、シドニーのワインショーで金賞を獲得。さらにイギリスにおけるブラインド試飲でも世界最高のシャルドネ、という評価を得ます。 このワイナリーの人気を集めるのが「アート・シリーズ」。 こちらのシリーズはこのワイナリーの最高レベルのワインからなり、毎年オーストラリアの若手アーティストの個性的な作品がそのラベルに使用されています。 デニス夫妻が引退した後は、二人の娘シモーヌと息子ジャスティンが共同経営者としてワイナリーを受け継ぎ、そのワインを世界30か国に輸出するまでに成長しています。 ルーウィン・ワイナリーは、ワインを「アート」として捉え、アートのあるライフスタイルを提案し続けています。ワイナリーには併設のレストランがあるほか、ワインのラベル用に購入した新進気鋭の画家の作品を展示したアート・ギャラリーや、ワイナリーの野外ステージで毎年2月に、世界的に著名な音楽家を迎えて行われるルーウィン・コンサートなど、精力的にワインとアートの企画を行い、国内外からの集客を誘致するワインツーリズムに大きく貢献してきました。 その活動はオーストラリア政府より評価され、観光サービスに尽力した功績を称える「ジ・オーダー・オーストラリア」のメンバーにも選ばれています。 ワイン造りの理想郷とも呼ばれるオーストラリア��マーガレット・リヴァ―。 オーストラリア西南端のこの地は遥か昔は島でした。土壌はミネラルが多い石灰質と、砕けた岩による水はけの良さからブドウ栽培には最適。周囲は太平洋、インド洋、南西洋と3つの海がぶつかり、温度変化が少なく、地中海性気候の影響で年間を通じて暖かさが保たれます。 ルーウィン・エステートはブドウの収穫量よりも、その質を重視しています。 そのため、収穫量は極めて控えめ。また、畑の中に背の高い穀物を2列おきに植えることで、ブドウの木を強風から守っています。そして、鳥からの被害を防ぐために、畑の周りにひまわりを植えるなど、環境に配慮しながら徹底した管理のもとで、ワイン造りを追及しているのです。 このワイナリーには、最新技術が常に導入されていますが、熟練のワインメーカーの技術の高さにも目を見張るものがあります。彼らは畑の中で、どの畑が、どの区画が、さらにはどの列のブドウが最高の実をつけるかを見抜くことができるといいます。 そして、そのブドウの特徴に合わせて醸造家がどのシリーズのワインに使用するかを決めていくのです。長期熟成ワインにはこのブドウ、早飲みワインにはこのブドウ、というように振り分けていきます。これは機械にはできない職人技。このようにして、最先端の技術と、人の手が最高品質のワインを生み出しているのです。 オーストラリアワインも驚く程エレガントな味わいのワインが生産されています🍷 (Ginzawinebar G5) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGDiK5UAICM/?igshid=y9bkk2nr0ru2