Wine regions - Tumbarumba

Tumbarumba   New South Wales

Tumbarumba is one of Australia's coolest and most picturesque vineyard regions. The alpine climate is perfect for the production of premium quality sparkling wine and top end table wine.

This remote, cool climate region is one of the highest in New South Wales. The vineyards are planted in the foothills of the Australian Alps at elevations ranging between 500 and 800 metres. Soil types vary across the region from fertile basalt to soils formed from the ancient granite rock dominating the region.

History

It is a region ensconced in the lore of high country grazing, gold digging and the engineering feats of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme.

The wine industry in contrast is a very modern tale, beginning in 1983 when Chris and Frank Minutello planted Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc in the Maragle Valley. In the same year, local farmers Juliet Cullen and Ian Cowell established vineyards.

The mid 90s saw the region's biggest expansion of vineyard development with nearly thirty vineyards producing grapes for sparkling and table wine. Cullen and Cowell sold their vineyard to Seppelt (now part of Treasury Wine Estates).

Today

All fruit is in fact shipped out for vinification, Charles Sturt University Winery, Treasury Wine Estates and McWilliams being the main producers. McWilliams produces a Tumbarumba Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc under their Barwang label; Penfold's Bin 311 Chardonnay is soley Tumbarumba fruit and Charles Stuart University Winery produces a Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Chardonnay.

However, there is increasing demand for Tumbarumba fruit, from smaller wineries. Eden Road in Canberra produces award winning Chardonnay under their Long Road and The Seedling labels; Even Keel from Victoria have notable Tumbarumba Chardonnay and Lankey's Creek is producing a raft of quality red and white tables wines and sparklings. The Hunter Valley's Hungerford Hill produces a Tumbarumba Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and Bidgeebong from Wagga produces a Chardonnay, Shiraz Viognier blend and Merlot. Cassegrain from the Hastings River has a Chardonnay blend of Tumbarumba and New England fruit.

Future

Chardonnay looks to be the rising signature variety of the Tumbarumba region. Hungerford Hill turned heads at the 2010 Decanter Awards and in 2011 Decanter urged wine lovers of the world to drink Australian Chardonnay, amongst them Tumbarumba's Chardonnay. Check Decanter for tasting notes March 2011issue. Decanter.com

Backing the variety and the region, winemaker Jason Brown of Moppity Vineyards fame purchased Coppabella Vineyards in late 2011. He plans to produce top class Chardonnay and forge a new identiy for Pinot Noir using Djion pinot clones.

Visiting

Although primarily a vineyard region, Tumbarumba does have a wine and food festival in February called Tumbafest that celebrates the region's produce. The Tumbarumba Vignerons' Association marquee is an integral part of the festival.

There are also some cellar doors, the first of which was established by George Martin, editor of the local  Tumbarumba Times  newspaper. Cellar Doors are currently available at Glenburnie Vineyard which produces Black Range Wines, and Mannus Wines which also produce a fruity Cabernet Shiraz blend.

For a genuine 'get away from it all' trip to a wine region, Tumbarumba serves the purpose well and if you enjoy a little fly fishing you'll be in your element.

Harvest time: late March to mid April

Sites with more information:

• Experience the Magic
• Tumbafest