WineLook weekly (24-June-2007)

review

Last Monday WineLook attended latest in NSW series of regional food and wine showcases at NSW Parliament House, this time featuring the Southern Highlands.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS VIGNERONS ASSOCIATION

The Southern Highlands Vignerons Association was formed in 1998 following a meeting at Howard’s Lane Vineyard called by Kevin Howard and Mark Bourne.

Approximately 20 acres of grapes were grown by a family of German migrants in the area around Joadja from the mid 1850’s to the early 1900’s. It is believed this provided the Scottish mining families around Joadja with their wine needs. This family also supplemented its income by pruning some of the original vines in the Camden area.
Joadja Vineyards and Winery’s initial 2 acres was established in 1983 by Kim Moginie and heralded the resurrection of wine within the Southern Highlands.

From these humble beginnings there are now 62 vineyards covering 265 hectares. The 2004 crush was 662 tonnes. Because of adverse growing conditions 2005 does not look as optimistic. Tonnage figures are being collated and will be released shortly. 14 cellar doors form part of the food and wine trail with another expected to open by December 2006. Five 200 tonne wineries provide crushing and wine making facilities for the area as well as meeting the rising export demand.

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling form the backbone of white grapes while Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Shiraz grapes provide most of the red wine.

Explore our Southern Highlands Food and Wine site to learn more about the individuality and offerings of our cool climate region.