The Auswine Forum

Hey guys

My wife and I are going to head out on a 4 day road trip from Melbourne to the SA Wineries...

The planned itinerary..

Saturday - Leave Melbourne about 6am.. Arrive in Coonawarra lunchtime and go to a few wineries.. stay in Penola.

Sunday - Leave Penola early for the Barossa, Sunday arvo an monday in the Barossa.

Tuesday - Drive back to Melbourne.

Any suggestions for Wineries in the Coonawarra or Barossa..

Another question I have is on booking private tasting appointments.. What is the obligation to buy.. Reason I ask is that I have bought a few wines at auction and also from a certain retailer such as Standish.. I am keen to do a tasting to try the wines as I wont open mine for quite a few years yet, but I would also love to talk to the winemakers and learn abit more about the wines, the people, the vineyard and the history.... What is the etiquette here? .. I certainly don't want to offend!

Thanks!

For Coonawarra, I always go to Balnaves and Majella, but there are plenty of others that are worthwhile too.
It has been a long time since I have been to the Barossa so others will have more idea than me, but I do point people towards Turkey Flat when asked. If I was going myself I would make sure I visited Seppeltsfield for the fortifieds

I'm not sure on the etiquette for private tastings so others can answer that one.

For tastings (albeit not private but just walk in), I usually buy something. If I get good service and I feel like they have put on a good show, I might buy a few bottles. Pigs Peake in the Hunter were like that once. The guy at the counter asked if we wanted to go check out the winemaking equipment. We went back there and had a taste of the crushed grape juice which was an interesting experience. He also poured the full range and gave a good account of each wine. Naturally I felt more disposed and connected to the wine and bought more than I otherwise might have.

Or if its just ok I will buy a bottle (for their time).

If its really bad service then I dont buy anything (I have had a couple of times been to wineries where the staff have said with 45mins to closing time "what do you want" or were just snarky. Clearly a long day or something, but doesnt make me want to buy).

There's some good info in this thread for the barossa
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13613&p=111547&hilit=Barossa#p111547

LGW wrote:There's some good info in this thread for the barossa
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13613&p=111547&hilit=Barossa#p111547

There's probably 20 more just like it !