all of sudden spring is upon us again....

“And all at once I saw a crowd” A host of bursting pinot buds - with apologies to William Wordsworth.

To farmers the first baa from a newborn lamb, and later, the gambolling youngsters, is the sign that spring has arrived again - a reminder of why they prefer the country life to the concrete jungle. (And maybe the prospect of getting $120 for each animal has something to do with the pleasure!)

For a viticulturist, the equivalent is budburst, where the barren appearance of winter pruned canes yields to a growing sea of green.  Almost enough to make you wax lyrical! Even a hardened wine campaigner like Bob Campbell MW admits it is the prettiest sight he can imagine. Of course, this observation comes from the privileged position of (armchair critic) non-engagement with the vineyard. Au contraire, normal folk like Coney need to prepare for the daily round of head thinning, shoot positioning, bud rubbing, spraying, mowing, wire lifting, backstabbing etc.  

But it is a pretty sight.

Our cherry blossom is another tangible sign of renewal. The flowers though, are delicate, and it needs only one decent northerly to decimate them. So I thought we’d capture them in full bloom.

NEW 2021 WINES RELEASED

We recently released two wines from our latest vintage: Ramblin Rosé 2021 and our 'spritzy' Reisling - The Ritz 2021. These two are infinitely suitable for spring and summertime quaffing.  Now we’re back in full restaurant mode the undimmed enthusiasm for Ritz and Ramblin’ Rosé is evident - one or both are on most tables. Lively, loose talk follows.