Southern Highlands   New South Wales

Just over an hour from Sydney, two from Canberra and 45 minutes from Wollongong you will find a rural landscape that is a unique blend of the Australian bush and British-style settlement.

A cool climate region with elegant wines and a fine food culture

When the British colonised, they looked for havens replete with cool mountain air, beautiful natural scenery and a landscape that could absorb their visions of green sheep pastures, small friendly townships, gardens, golf courses, bakers shops and produce stores.

The Southern Highlands is still a place of shady lanes, summer cricket and country fairs but it is also much more as the people of each generation has extended their view outside the village and have sought to explore and identify with the natural landscape and to work more closely with it.

The wine industry in the Southern Highlands had a new vision of the land that relied on developing a closer relationship with the environment. The founding vignerons identified the potential of the region's cool sunny climate, undulating slopes and soils ranging from medium to heavy clays and sandy loams to basaltic and some granitic soils. The popularity of the Highlands with ‘rural retreaters’ was also noted and has led to the opening of cellar doors and winery restaurants and cafes.

The Southern Highlands is very much a boutique wine region with small wineries and vineyards handcrafting a range of wines. Careful viticulture is practiced with minimal irrigation and much hand tendering of the vines.

Varieties grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Emerging as standouts in the region are Pinot Gris and Chardonnay with Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon showing unique cool climate chararcter. Italian and Spanish varieties are grown including the rare Arneis at Berrima Estate which recently won silver at the Alternative Varieties Wine Show.

Historic Produce Store

So lets take those country roads and discover the wineries of the region.

Cuttaway Hill Estate is one of the ambassadors for the region. They export 75% of their wines to the UK and North America, retail their wines into Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra and sell online. Winemaker Mark Bourne was founding President of the Southern Highlands Vignerons Association and has done much to foster the region's reputation for premium cool climate wines. Cuttaway wines are much awarded. Winning gold are his elegant chardonnays, silky Merlot and full bodied Pinot Gris reminiscent of pinots of Alsace, France.

Centennial Vineyards under the guiding hand of winemaker Tony Cosgriff also has a wonderful medal collection and ships wines to other parts of the globe. He produces elegant wines from the estate and fruit sourced from surrounding cool climate regions. Look for the top ranking Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, the Spanish varietal Tempranillo and the Italian varietals Rondinella and Corvina. Centennial's impressive Restaurant and Cellar Door sits a top a ridge in Bowral where you can take morning tea and lunch everyday or dinner on Friday overlooking the vineyard and garden.

The western cluster

West of Bowral is a cluster of wineries and vineyards which extends towards Wombeyan Caves. First you take the Old Hume Highway along which you will find Howards Lane. They hold functions at their cellar door perched high on a north facing hill overlooking vineyards producing Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Nearby is Mundrakoona, one of the early wineries established in the region. They produce a standout Shiraz and Pinot Noir under their Artemis label. Mundrakoona is also home to Blacksmith Josef Balog who forges everything from decorative gates to wine racks.

West from Mundrakoona is Wombeyan Caves Road which takes you into a significant vineyard area criss-crossed by roads along which you will find a number of wineries with cellar doors.

Bou-saada Vineyard cellar door has a gallery exhibiting artists all year round. They also sell Proteas grown on the property and serve a vintners lunch. Their flagship wine is a Riesling.

Along Joadja Road is Joadja Winery, the first winery in the Highlands. Established in 1983 by Kim and Frances Moginie this winery has been producing a wide range of estate wines. They have won a number of awards over the years, most recently for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet. They are also known for their berry liqueur and port, all of which you will find at their cellar door.

Across the road is Saint Derycke's who also have award winners in their range. Their cellar door is open weekends and public holidays only.

As you go further west along Wombayan Caves Road rural pastures begin to foreground the cliffs and gorges of the Nattai and Blue Mountains National parks.

McVitty Grove's cellar door and modern restaurant puts you in the heart of this beautiful country. It's a case of kangaroos in the morning and with any luck the kestrel in the afternoon. The bird draws you in to a slow mediation as it performs its aerial ballet just above you. McVitty Grove has a range of wines specialising in Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. They also have verjuice and estate-grown olive oil.

Right out on the edges of the wilderness is Pulpit Rock Wines. They produce classic cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Order online.

From wineries in this area you can take off to the Wombeyan Caves, a limestone cave system in the Wombeyan valley or visit Joadja, a ghost mining town established in the 1800s by Scottish immigrants to mine kerosene shale. Workers cottages, brick kilns, mining infrastructure and a graveyard are still to be seen in this deep and beautiful valley.

Berrima is another historic town in the region, with pubs, cafes, shops and the fully functioning historic Berrima Jail.

Close to Berrima you will find Blue Metal Vineyard. Their cellar door is stocked with award-winning single vineyard wines and local cheeses from Small Cow Farm.

South of Bowral

The second major cluster of wineries occurs around Sutton Forest, Exeter and Moss Vale. Eling Forest Winery at Sutton Forest is just off the expressway to Canberra. Eling Forest has historic buildings, the main homestead built around 1834. They have accommodation, restaurant and function facilities. Winemaker Michelle Crockett produces a significant range of award winning wines which includes Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon and a Botrytis Semillon, Cabernet Merlot blend and a Peach Brandy and Cherry Port.

Along the Illawarra Highway you will see perched on a low hill Southern Highlands Wines (SHW). Stop. They have a modern café, cellar door and verandah with views north over the vineyards. Eddie Rossi the chief winemaker has just introduced a new range of wines under the label Altitude 676 (denoting the vineyards height above sea level). Amongst this range is a Rose made from Sauvignon Blanc which is everything the label suggests, classy, modern and elegant. SHW is another exporter in the region and is also making a splash in the discerning local market.

Nearby at Exeter is St. Maur Estate producing Pinot Noir and Cabernet Merlot blend using a mix of modern technology and traditional Italian winemaking techniques.

Mount Ashby Estate between Moss Vale and Fitzroy Falls produces Pinot Gris, Merlot and Chardonnay. Their 2004 D'OR Botrytis Pinot Gris won best wine at the 2005 Southern Highlands Wine Show. Also of interest to those who are antique buffs is Sally Bereford's antique store located at the winery, which specialises in 17th to 19th century European pieces.

A newcomer to this area is Manchester Square Wines. They grow only Riesling but also produce a Rosé using Riesling grapes. Their focus is paying dividends with a Bronze medal win in last year's Hyatt National Riesling Challenge in Canberra.

North-east of Bowral

In the easterly aspected part of the region you will find two distinctly diiferent wine estates.

Greenbrier Park, established in 1985 by Robert and Janet Constable has a vineyard and cellar door set in extensive park style gardens. They produce award winning Sauvignon Blanc as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Greenbrier Park encapsulates the historical links to Britain so evident in the towns and agricultural landscape of the region. The Georgian style manor house, exotic gardens and productive vineyards represents the preservation of the English-Scottish Arcadian vision in Australia.

Diamond Creek Estate was established in 1997. Under the stewardship of Helen Hale they have already won a number of awards for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc. They also bottle olive oil from groves on the estate.

On a clear day you can see Centrepoint Tower. The city, faint, is backdrop to a majestic Eucalyptus tree which features on their label. What you can also see in the view is a notion of modernity, a view to the future, that embraces the Australian landscape and identifies with its beauty and largesse.

Harvest Time: Late March to early May

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 2007 WINE SHOW AWARDS – Boutique winery scoops top award

Four wineries dominated the awards at this years 2007 Southern Highlands Regional Wine Show, Tertini, Cuttaway Hill Estate, Centennial and Southern Highland Wines but it was boutique producer Diamond Creek Estate (www.diamondcreekestate.com.au) who took out the top accolade for the Southern Highlands Vignerons Association Trophy for Best Wine In Show with their 2006 Noble Diamond Botrytis, which also gained the Assta Label House Trophy for Best White Wine In Show.

The winning team from Diamond Creek Estate Photos: L: Melanie Reagan R: Highlife Magazine

The line up of award winners included some of the best known producers and new vineyards in the Southern Highlands. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded over the 25 Classes judged by the highly experienced team of Nick Bulleid MW (Chairman of Judges), Rob Geddes (MW) and Suzanne Little, Hunter Valley winemaker and judge. The show received entries from 20 producers.

The rigorous judging panel awarded one gold, 12 silver and 34 bronze medals out of a total of 96 entries. The show introduced a Best in Class Award, recognizing for the first time outstanding efforts by winemakers. Certificates to individual category winners were awarded to a diverse number of producers, reflecting the increasing developments and quality. Eleven certificates were presented by Best Wine in Class sponsors.

In his overview of the show Chairman of Judges, Nick Bulleid MW commented that there was a significant increase in wine quality and winemaking skills evident at this years show and given greater vine age expected to see further increases in wine quality and style definitions in future years. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris classes were the pick of the white wines with some excellent examples of Riesling also highlighted.

This year saw the introduction of a Sparkling Wine class; wines made from the premium cool climate fruit of the Southern Highlands were received unanimously by judges, with medals awarded to four of the five entries. The two sparkling wine producers Centennial Vineyards and Cuttaway Hill Estate showed that the style clearly works in the cool climes of the Southern Highlands.

Special mention was given to the increasing quality in red wines. Wines from the warmer conditions of the 2005 and 2006 vintage showed particularly well. The Pinot Noir classes were singled out as the strongest and showed the most promise, with judges commenting that it is a variety that has the potential to excel in the region.

The wineries consistently represented amongst the award winners were pin-pointed as handling the cool climate fruit with a clear understanding of the districts vineyards and their potential, coupled with professional winemaking skills. The consistent quality exhibited by these companies confirms that the Southern Highlands has the potential to produce excellent wines, especially those makers who combine the right grape variety, site management and winemaking techniques.

For further information please contact:
Paul Quirico, Wine Show coordinator 0419 220 435
Prepared and Issued on behalf of the Southern Highlands Wine Show Committee

WINEBIZZO
56 WESTBROOK CRESCENT BOWRAL NSW 2576 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 2 4862 3383 F: +61 2 4862 3383 M: 0417 211 246 E: winebizzo@bigpond.com

Summary of Overall Award Winners:

Gold: 1 medal

Diamond Creek Estate 2006 Noble Diamond Botrytis

Silver: 12 medals

Cuttaway Hill Estate 2006 Chardonnay
Centennial Vineyards 2005 Woodside Chardonnay
Sutton Forest Estate 2006 Chardonnay
Southern Highland Wines 2007 Pinot Grigio
Mount Ashby 2007 Galant Pinot Gris
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2007 Pinot Gris
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2007 Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2004 Laurence Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon
Centennial Vineyards 2006 Tempranillo Rosé
Tertini 2006 Crossroads Pinot Noir
Centennial Vineyards 2006 Woodside Tempranillo
Fifth Chapter 2006 Shiraz

Bronze: 34 medals

Centennial Vineyards 2006 Woodside Un-wooded Chardonnay
Southern Highland Wines 2007 Triplepoint Chardonnay
Southern Highland Wines 2007 Chardonnay
Cherry Tree Hill 2005 Riesling
Tertini 2005 Riesling
Tertini 2004 Berrima Estate Riesling
Southern Highland Wines 2007 Riesling
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Fifth Chapter 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Joadja Winery 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
McVitty Grove 2006 Pinot Gris
Mount Ashby 2007 Pinot Gris
Centennial Vineyards 2006 Cordon Cut Chardonnay
Tertini 2006 1855 Arneis
Tertini 2006 Tertini & Knight Arneis
Tertini 2005 Arneis
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2005 Laurence Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Centennial Vineyards NV Extreme Brut
Southern Highland Wines 2005 Triplepoint Cabernet Sauvignon
Tertini 2005 1855 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cuttaway Hill Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Meadow Croft Wines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Blue Metal Vineyard 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
Blue Metal Vineyard 2006 Ignis Cabernet Sauvignon
Southern Highland Wines 2005 Merlot
Blue Metal Vineyard Ignis Merlot
Mount Ashby 2006 Merlot
Sallys Corner Wines 2006 Merlot
Tertini 2005 1855 Pinot Noir
Centennial Vineyards 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir
Tertini 2006 Tertini & Knight Pinot Noir
Cuttawy Hill Estate 2006 Pinot Noir
Tertini 2005 Crossroads Cabernet Merlot
Southern Highlands Wines 2005 Shiraz

Sites with more information:

• Southern Highlands Food and Wine
• The Southern Highlands of NSW