The Next Level: Robe to Coonawarra

20/3/2015

I had another go at Bulletproof Intermittent Fasting – basically not eating for 16+ hours. After dinner yesterday around 18:30, I had a so called Bulletproof Coffee (black coffee with organic grass fed butter and MCT oil/Brain Octane) for breakfast and then an early lunch at 11:30. It went well and think it helped my body to 'clean up the mess' from the last few days or better weeks. Will have another one soon. The theory behind is that you should get into ketosis – a fat burning state and by supplying only some fats to the body for breakfast convincing it that there is plenty of fat coming so it might as well burn it. For a longer explanation, please visit the Bulletproof Exec Dave Asprey.

The drive from Robe to Penole/Coonawarra was only a bit over 100km. Visiting the information center is always a good idea to get a map and some background information on the area. The Coonawarra wine region looks like a cigar – very long but thin, so there are vineyards for about 30 km in length but only a few kilometers in width.

I started with the one furthest away from my designated spot for the night:

Rymill

'The family that founded Coonawarra'

Absolutely awesome tasting room and lovely chat with the woman providing the tastings. Lovely wines too and all around a nice place to be. The fighting horses are their logo and the big statue outside the entrance is impressive. I actually liked their 2013 Coonawara Brut Sparkling ($25) – they got a French winemaker! But their reds like the 2012 Classic Shiraz ($29) and the 2012 Classic Cabernet Sauvignon ($29) were very good too. I also liked the young 2013 The Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.50) – a very fruit driven, young, cellar door only Cab Sav. The 2009 Maturation Release Cab Sav ($39.00) was not my favorite – in it's defense: the bottle was freshly opened for me, so with a bit of airing it might be more approachable.

Rymill's tasting room

Their famous logo - the two fighting horses

Mexx Z: They have a larger collection of corks than you do ;-)

Where the goodness is happening

Rymill

Their winemaker's dog - checking if I had any traces of other wineries on me - luckily not at this stage!

Wynn's Estate

One of the larger wineries in the area, and one that we used to drink a few bottles from in Perth as well. It was a nice tasting, and good chat with a winemaker and the lady at the counter who knew a lot about the history and the other South Australian wine regions as she's been in the industry for 35 years.

Lovely 2012 Wynn's V&A Lane Shiraz ($59.90)!

Coonawarra is known for their red wines, and the terra rossa soil and the slightly cooler climate makes them really lovely.

The famous building of Wynn's Estate - on most of their wine labels

Wynn's Estate

They are well known for their Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, think they do it since 1947, so over fifty vintages

Majellan

This small but fantastic winery was highly recommended by another wine maker, and after trying some of their wines I totally agree with this recommendation.

Very nice NV Minuet Sparkling Riesling ($30) Methode Traditionelle, outstanding 2010 The Malleea ($80), a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz reflecting the characteristics of the famous Coonawarra region. “Malleea” is an aboriginal term for “green paddock”, describing the green lush pastures and vineyards of the Limestone coast region. Also worth mentioning is their freshly disgorged 2008 Sparkling Shiraz.

NV Minuet Sparkling Riesling

The lineup of reds

Me behind the counter - what could possibly go wrong there? Seriously the Malleea is awesome!

Majella Sparkling Shiraz - I really need to try that with bacon & eggs for breakfast at some stage

As per the usual drill, checking in and parking up to do the last tasking on foot and really jump into the glass.

This time it was at Koonara, a 5 star rated winery by James Halliday 2014.

The young girl at the counter, currently in her gap year, so between high school and university, gave me 11 wines to sample – starting off with their '2014 The Guardinan Angel, Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir from Mount Gambier'.

One of their Whites, the 2012 The Marquise Chardonnay from Mount Gambier won Gold at AWC Vienna International challenge. But was by far not my favouite! My favourite was “2012 Ambriol's Gift Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon” ($40).

Koonara Wines

I had a look at one of the two local pubs, The Prince of Wales. Unfortunately their kitchen would have only opened an hour later (and I was hungry!) so I left and went back to the caravan park to quickly prepare dinner and had a lengthy chat to some young people staying next to me. They are all on work & holiday visas (a German girl, a Japanese girl and a guy from Sweden) and are currently picking grapes in the area. Hard job!