{"id":896,"date":"2019-02-09T08:41:08","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T22:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-352875-1094412.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=896"},"modified":"2022-07-29T08:14:57","modified_gmt":"2022-07-28T22:14:57","slug":"escape-with-vine-wine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travisschultz.com.au\/escape-with-vine-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"Escape with Vine Wine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wine Tourism is growing and the Gippsland Region should be top of your list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wine tourism is a burgeoning industry in Australia and with a falling Aussie dollar that trend seems destined to continue; especially for regions that are blessed with ideal terroir, temperate climate and close proximity to a large airport. One of the main beneficiaries of the trend are the Victorian wine regions which are well serviced by air and road and enjoy a growing reputation for the quality of their offerings. While regions like the Yarra valley<\/g>, the Mornington Peninsula and Bendigo have successfully raised their profile with consumers and tourists, there are a few up and coming regions that are yet to see their moment in the spotlight but are worthy contenders for the tourist dollar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I would never have given it more that cursory consideration, but when a friend of mine, Tam Wrigley of the Wine O’Clock Show<\/a> suggested that I take a closer look at a winery from the Gippsland region, my interest was piqued not so much by the locale, but by the huge wrap she gave their product. The Toms Cap Vineyard<\/a> is a small, family-owned producer in East Gippsland about 200 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, which produces a range of wines made from fruit grown in their own vineyards. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Their focus is as much about the atmosphere and dining experience, as it is their wines. They have a large restaurant and function venue, Woody\u2019s as well as a smaller dining option, The Vines for more intimate affairs. Both eating houses are nestled in a picturesque site amongst the vines, adjacent to manicured lawns and surrounded by well\u00a0attended<\/g> gardens. Understated, but with a refined elegance, the Toms Cap chefs use a range of produce sourced as often as possible from local farms and even their own gardens. It all sounds idyllic, but it wouldn\u2019t be a viticultural experience without premium grade wines to put the icing on the adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cellar door at Toms Cap offers everything from Sauvignon blanc to Riesling, sparkling chardonnay and even a \u201cpink\u201d fizz, but as so often happens my palate naturally gravitated towards the reds. As you\u2019d expect, the reds were more about elegance than weight, given the cooler climate around the neighbouring<\/g> Strzelecki Ranges. What was a tad surprising to me was the absence of pinot noir on the Toms Cap list! Though I\u2019m sure tha winemaking team have<\/g> a good reason for that decision. The Gippsland region is perhaps best known for its stunning aromatic whites and a unique pinot noir but the Toms Cap reds didn\u2019t disappoint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Toms Cap Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is surprisingly well aged to be current vintage. In its youth I\u2019m sure it would have been a bright purple, but it\u2019s now more of a brackish red colour in the glass and there\u2019s a forest floor leafiness and some earthy violets on the nose. It\u2019s not until the middle that the currants and sweet blackberries work their way out of the French oak shackles and embrace a demure, though refined conclusion. There are still enough tannins to suggest that it will handle a few more years left to lay on its side, but it\u2019s drinking perfectly well right now. I reckon it\u2019s a perfect bottle to take to Mum\u2019s for Sunday night dinner next time she offers to do her rosemary and sage crusted lamb rack!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Toms Cap 2015 3 Dog Shiraz is a delightful example of a light, cool climate shiraz. You just can\u2019t fairly compare it to one of those bold, highly alcoholic, ripe and jammy styles that you see coming out of warmer regions. The 3 Dog is a deep brooding purple in the glass and is all about spice, savoury plums and an understated elegance. I love the contrast of ripe, spicy red fruits with a savoury stalkiness on the edges. At only 12.8% alcohol, it\u2019s no more than a medium body is a great choice for the Queensland summer, even if you have to chill it slightly to get it down to 16 \u2013 18 degrees before serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you\u2019re up for the road trip, the Gippsland Wine region and the Toms Cap Vineyard are \u201cmust do\u201d inclusions for the itinerary on your next sojourn or oenological adventure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wine Tourism is growing and the Gippsland Region should be top of your list Wine tourism is a burgeoning industry in Australia and with a falling Aussie dollar that trend seems destined to continue; especially for regions that are blessed with ideal terroir, temperate climate and close proximity to a large airport. One of the…
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