Region by Region, Summer 2007-08
- with Emily Davenport
MERRICKS
The warm weather has gone to my head. The chorus of
cicadas mean its time to go barefoot and celebrate the
Merricks Estate
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simple things. Everyday feels like Sunday and suddenly
Paradigm Hill
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11am seems quite an acceptable hour to pull a cork (or
twist a cap).
Stonier Wines
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Forget super sized sunglasses, at our place the essential
summer accessory is a pair of wine glasses in the glove
Exploring
box. That's beach ready. Hail those long lazy days. The
warm weather bringing a collective memory of summer
holidays home.
Merricks
Summer is outdoors. Finding a deck with a view, whether
it be a green valley or green garden, sweeping sea or
paddling pool. Fish and chips on the beach, with a zippy
George and Ruth Mihaly have created a striking cellar door at Paradigm Hill.
sauvignon blanc. A minerally pinot gris and a plate of
Individual tastes have been designed to match each of the four wines the
freshly shucked oysters heavenly! Head to a country
estate produces. The exquisite food softens the acids in the wine and echoes
restaurant, dine al fresco and be spoilt rotten before
the textures making it a very worthwhile experience for $8 per taster. A very
retiring for an afternoon snooze.
unique approach worth discovering.
Across the Peninsula vines are throwing out
In 1978 the Kefford family established Merricks Estate and therefore are
tendrils everywhere. Large emerald leaves are soaking
about to celebrate the vineyards' thirtieth birthday. There are some great
up sun and turning it into minuscule flowers and the
wines to celebrate with at cellar door including the much lauded 2005 Shiraz.
promise fruit.
Explore the nature walk along a regenerated section of east creek or pack a
The vegie patch has gone wild. Zucchini, squash and
picnic to enjoy by the dam.
pumpkin are overflowing from their beds. The tomatoes
are now well established and I am clucking over the
Head to Stonier Wines this summer to taste wines from their twenty fifth
small green fruit like an excited mother hen. The garlic
vintage; the newly released 2006 Stonier Chardonnay, 2006 Stonier Pinot
is finally in flower and green beans, capsicum, eggplant
Noir, 2006 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay and 2006 Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir,
and cucumber are on their way once again.
along with the 2005 Stonier Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay. Stop for a
leisurely glass under the veranda accompanied by a local cheese and produce
Summer on the peninsula is a feast for the senses.
platter featuring Red Hill Cheese, Ellisfield Quince and Main Ridge Olives.
Celebrating 25 Years
of Winemaking
The striking Stonier Winery is home to ultra-premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling wine.
Regional cheese platters, winery tours and children's playground available.
Open 11am - 5pm Daily
(Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day)
2 Thompson's Lane, M e r r i ck s , 3916
03 5989 8300
(Mel Ref 192 F9)
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Peninsula Visitor . . . Summer 2007-08
