SPECIAL WINE RELEASE
SIBLINGS Nick, Angela and Eliza Brown of All Saints wine fame have released a special wine from their historic Mount Ophir Estate.
The 2019 Mount Ophir Shiraz was released in September with a $500 price tag. An historic Rutherglen landmark, Mount Ophir Estate was established in 1891. The estate boasts 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including the Murray River Basin and the Snowy Mountains to the east, and offers a winery experience rich in history.
Owners of Mount Ophir Estate from 1903, the Burgoyne family, were prominent London wine merchants, who developed the property further by constructing a French provincial tower that was a nod to their heritage, along with a winemaking facility. At this time, the building was the largest state-of-the-art wine producing complex in the southern hemisphere, and the Burgoyne family envisioned it to become the wine centre of Australia.
Mount Ophir Estate was purchased by siblings Eliza, Angela and Nick Brown in 2016, who set to work restoring the 140-acre estate to its former glory. The Brown siblings have since transformed the estate to offer premium wines, accommodation, and winery experiences. They also operate All Saints Estate and Terrace Restaurant, St Leonards Vineyard and Thousand Pound Wine Bar, all Rutherglen region icons.
The new shiraz is available for purchase through registration only at mountophirestate.com.au/shiraz-waitlist.
“We are so proud of the wine we have produced," Nick Brown says. "The 2019 Mount Ophir Estate Shiraz demonstrates our commitment to producing high-quality wines and brings together Rutherglen’s regional characteristics in a considered approach towards winemaking.”
CONCERT VENUE IN THE HEART OF HUNTER WINE COUNTRY
PLANS have been unveiled for a $107 million concert and hospitality venue right in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country. Winarch Capital’s newly-formed Cedar Mill Group has acquired one of the Hunter Valley wine region’s premium development sites for its second purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre and tourism project, expected to open in 2023.
It follows the previously announced $235 million redevelopment of Morisset Golf Course, to be known as Cedar Mill Lake Macquarie, with plans for a 30,000 person concert venue, cafes and restaurants, accommodation and Australia’s largest aquatic play park.
The new property, in Pokolbin, is on the corner of Broke and McDonalds Roads and sits adjacent to the Roche Estate food and beverage precinct and next to the Hope Estate winery.
There are plans for Cedar Mill Hunter Valley to house a 100-bed hotel, specialist food and beverage outlets, a wine museum, multiple cellar doors and a 22,000 person concert venue to host events featuring local and international acts touring Australia.
The vision for the site includes the delivery of a venue that is also capable of hosting events, conferences and functions, and to attract tourists seeking high-end visitor experiences. This includes local growers and operators providing boutique goods and dining experiences inspired by the local agricultural heritage as well as winemaking, distilling and brewing.
Cedar Mill Group general manager Kyle McKendry described the Pokolbin location as the only remaining premium development site in the Hunter Valley wine region.
“It is 105 acres right in the centre of Hunter Valley wine country and had been held by the previous owners for over 30 years," McKendry said. "It was an amazing opportunity.
“Without doubt, this is a very significant acquisition for the Cedar Mill Group and an exciting step towards our plans to have outdoor venues coupled with exciting tourism concepts in the best locations in Australia and New Zealand.
“Our aim is to provide an unparalleled visitor experience in the heart of the region, offering a gateway for tourists to connect with everything that makes the Hunter Valley a world-class visitor destination and event hub.”
A BREEZY STAY IN THE VINES
LOOKING to stay somewhere different in a vineyard setting?
Set on the picturesque Mitchelton Estate with stunning bush and vineyard views, you will find five full-sized Airstream RVs that offer a comfortable stay for guests all year-round. The Mitchelton Airstream Hotel allows guests to be close to nature, while providing all the creature comforts of home, including an en-suite bathroom, luxe linen, and a private deck from which to soak up the stars at night.
Rates include a deluxe breakfast hamper filled with local tastes as well as a substantial minibar of snacks, water, and soft drinks. By night, guests can choose to dine at the Muse Restaurant or venture further afield to Nagambie Brewery & Distillery or one of the many local eateries just a short drive away.
“The Mitchelton Airstream Hotel is a permanent fixture of the estate, and it offers a romantic getaway if you’re looking for something unique to do this Valentine’s Day or if you just need to get away from all the hustle and bustle,” says general manager Martin Garrett.
“We have received an influx of enquiries since we first announced in December 2020, so we encourage people to hop online and reserve their Airstream as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”
The Airstreams are situated just a short stroll from the Mitchelton Hotel and guests will also have full access to everything on offer at the estate, including the Gallery of Aboriginal Art, which is Australia’s largest commercial gallery dedicated to indigenous art, and features some of
