Bellwether

We had a tip off from a winemaker in Margaret River to go and see Sue Bell at Bellwether Wines when we got to Coonawarra so we did. It was well worth it. The onsite campsite enabled us to get stuck into helping as well.

There is a really good vibe about her arty cellar door and winery. As well as making a Coonawarra Cabernet she is producing some rare Australian variety wines such as Bianco d’Alessano which she said will only make 100 cases.

The cellar door is all open plan with a tasting area as well as a dining area that opens up into the cellar where barrels are aging and wine is fermenting. She occasionally hosts artist exhibitions which gives this unique cellar door a very warm and creative touch. Her hard work has paid off she was the ASVO Wine Maker of the Year 2014. We are talking true boutique wine making here which we were fortunate to see at full speed when Sue, Steve Brown (winemaker) and Graham (volunteer) were pressing her 2016 grapes with a manual pressing machine .

Sue not only makes wines she runs a campsite, art and cookery events and is mum to a 6 year old. She likes a good laugh and we had a great evening with her, Steve and Graham. Sue’s great character, big smile and superb wines will mean her wines will be harder to get hold of as time goes by.