All posts by "Around The World in 80 Wines"

"Around the World in 80 Wines" is a film, photography and blog project run by Montager Productions between February and April 2016. The subject is the people, land and passion of the 2016 Southern Hemisphere wine harvests including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina.
AUSTRALIA, Barossa Valley

Two Hands

Another good tasting session was had at the Two Hands cellar door before meeting the General Manager, Phil Kightley, who showed us around the winery and some of the vineyards. We did a quick interview with owner, Michael Twelftree.

Our favourite wine of the visit was the Two Hands Secret Block Shiraz 2014 Single Vineyard.

Two Hands glass. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Two Hands Winery. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Pickers at Two Hands. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Vines at Two Hands. © Montager Productions Ltd.
New vineyards coming. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Clare Valley

Grosset

We did a film shoot at the Grosset Wines Gaia vineyard which turned out to be a pretty incredible experience. A few days earlier we did a terrific interview with Jeffrey Grosset at his winery in Auburn. After hearing about the Gaia vineyard we knew we had to film it and get some aerial footage which was swiftly arranged.

We only tasted two of the Grosset range but loved the Polish Hill Riesling 2015.

Sunrise at Grosset Gaia vineyard in Clare Valley. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Arriving to harvest at Grosset Gaia vineyard. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Grosset Gaia vineyard in Clare Valley. © Montager Productions Ltd.
The Gaia Vines Short Film
Building ruins at Grosset Gaia vineyard. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Workers harvesting at Grosset Gaia vineyard. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

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You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Eden Valley

Pewsey Vale

We spent some great time with Louisa Rose of Pewsey Vale and Yalumba Wines. The moment you meet Louisa and start talking about wines you just know you are talking to a talented individual. Her knowledge and focus accompanied with her passion for winemaking is outstanding and comes through in the wines she makes.

The most amazing rainbow appeared across the Eden Valley for a short while when we were interviewing Louisa in the vineyard. It was so large and clear. We tried to capture it quickly as it didn’t hang around for long.

There was a tranquil serenity about the Pewsey Vale vineyards here which was evidenced in the songs of the birds as the sun came up. You can see why the very old Riesling vines here are so happy in such a spot.

Our favourite wine was the Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling 2010. The Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling was also pretty special even if it was 8am and raining slightly. A special place indeed.

Rainbow at Pewsey Vale vineyard. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Sunrise at Pewsey Vale vineyard. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Louisa Rose. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Pewsey Vale Riesling. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Red wine in the Yalumba laboratory. © Montager Productions Ltd.
The Yalumba winery tasting laboratory. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Yalumba barrels. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Yalumba Winery Barossa Valley. © Montager Productions Ltd.
View of tank at Yalumba winery. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Clare Valley

Taylors

While in the Clare Valley for filming we dropped in to Taylors Wines for a tasting. It is still a family firm but quite a large producer. When heading up to our film shoot in the dark at 05.30am the lights from Taylors illuminated it like a mini city in all the darkness as we drove up to one of the higher point in the Clare Valley. The castle style winery and cellar door was quite unique.

Our favourite wine was the Taylors Tempranillo 2015.

Australian flag flying at Taylors Wines. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Taylors wine bottle. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Taylors wine box. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Reed sculpture at Taylors Wines. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Barossa Valley

Penfolds

There is a lot of ‘big brand’ about Penfolds with things like The Ampoule but they make some really good wines. We tasted 12 off the large range and our favourite was the Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. Great complexity of this wine on the nose and palate. Notes of plum, vegetable and a hint of licorice all within a structure of quality.  Penfolds definitely deliver what they say on the tin.

Penfolds Est 1844. © Montager Productions Ltd.
The Winemakers Office. © Montager Productions Ltd.
The Rewards of Patience. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Penfolds RWT. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Penfolds Grange wine bottle label. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Machinery at Penfolds Cellar Door. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, McLaren Vale

Danshi Rise

We instantly liked Steve Daniel when we met him. He is probably the most relaxed winemaker you will find. There is no website, a shed for the fermentation, a Harley Davidson parked in front of the aging oak barrels and simply a passion for making wine that oozes out of him like the red bubbles that breath out of his fermenting Shiraz. We spent time with Steve and his family, did an interview and tried his homemade orange coloured chillis and enjoyed the view out to the coast. There was no multi million pound tasting room here yet there was a balance between a man and his land which mirrored the fantastic balance in his superb Shiraz.

We thought the Danshi Rise 2012 Shiraz was outstanding just don’t expect to find it in your local wine retailer. Not surprisingly the 500 cases Steve sells mostly stay in Australia.

Steve Daniel and his son at Danshi Rise winery. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Fermenting Shiraz at Danshi Rise. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Tractors at Danshi Rise Wines. © Montager Productions Ltd.
S&SJ Daniel. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Sugar levels. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Tractor Nose. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Barrels at Danshi Rise winery. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Barrels outside at Danshi Rise. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Chilli at Danshi Rise. © Montager Productions Ltd.

More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

Franschhoek, SOUTH AFRICA, VIDEO

Marc Kent Interview

Video

https://vimeo.com/156161291

Our first released video interview for the blog is with Marc Kent of Boekenhotskloof in Franschhoek, South Africa. Marc talks about the winery, the history and what motivates him and his team to make wines that taste great “even in the second half of the bottle”.

Want to see more of our videos then check out our video list.

For more information on the film release sign up here.

AUSTRALIA, Margaret River

Cullen

There was a more homely feel to the cellar door at Cullen Wines compared to the large estate feel at some of the other venues in Margaret River. The “biodynamic” theme is lived throughout the whole experience, from the set up of the place to the heavenly food on your plate. The way the flavors worked together was incredible and your waiter explained the origin of every ingredient on your plate, all being locally sourced. The owners’ passion for nature, sustainability and quality wines is omnipresent.

The favourite wine from the five we tasted here was the Amber Wine 2014. This wine was like nothing we have ever had before.

Flower display at Cullen Wines. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Cullen Winery. © Montager Productions Ltd.
A glass of Amber Wine at Cullen Wines. © Montager Productions Ltd.

   More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can also visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Margaret River

Voyager

The Voyager Estate is another large estate in Margaret River. Pristine gardens and a love for roses are apparent in the vineyards and surrounds.

Our favourite wine from the four we tasted here was the Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011 blend.

Nets at Voyager Estate. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Voyager Estate. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Voyager Estate building. © Montager Productions Ltd.

   More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.

AUSTRALIA, Margaret River

Leeuwin

The Leeuwin Estate is one of the early pioneers of making wine in the Margaret River region. A sprawling estate it is known for other things as well as its wine with a restaurant, art gallery and concerts all on the list.

Our favourite wine here from the seven we tasted was the Art Series Chardonnay 2012.

Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Stage at Leeuwin Estate. © Montager Productions Ltd.
Art at Leeuwin Estate. © Montager Productions Ltd.

  More info about the project or copyright of images is on the about page.

You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest.

You can visit our alphabetical favourite wines page.