15 Years of Tar & Roses
It's been 15 years. Some will remember the launch of this brand. We do. It was such a formative time in Mezzanine's history. These beautifully expressive, in-the-moment wines have been a pleasure to bring to the market from day one.
A perfectly odd couple of winemakers Narelle King and Don Lewis. Together they were the rugged beauty of Tar & Roses' Central Victorian home. The grip of tannin and the perfume of fruit: elegant power; a balance that few can replicate; a walking, talking, winemaking paradox.
Their friendship was defined by their differences as much as their similarities. Their deep love and highly-tuned skill for making wine from Mediterranean varieties was a commonality we have enjoyed watching flourish these past 15 years.
We were so sad to lose Don to cancer four years ago. His legacy lives on through Narelle and in every glass of Tar & Roses. He is missed, but certainly not forgotten.
Reflections
By Narelle King
"When I reflect on the last fifteen years it makes me smile. It makes me happy to think of our achievements over this time, the problems we overcame, the fun we had along the way and the joy our wines bring to so many people.
In the bigger scheme of things fifteen years is nothing but it feels like we’ve packed a lot of change and growth into a short period of time. Being able to make an array of different varieties from different areas around Victoria has given Tar&Roses the opportunity to engage with multiple vineyards and wineries each with their own distinctive personalities and foibles.
From the King Valley to Faraday/Sutton Grange, Strathbogie Ranges to Heathcote, Murrandindi to the Yarra Valley and multiple sites in between. Above all though the personal interactions and relationships that we have been able to foster makes us feel connected to the greater Victorian wine team not just team Tar&Roses.
Over this time the change in consumer tastes has been a blessing with more people turning to the alternative varieties. Its hard to believe today that Pinot Grigio was once considered an alternative variety as it is almost as ubiquitous now as Sauvignon Blanc once was in the nineties. Consumers still struggle a little with pronunciations, eg: Neb_bilio instead of Nebb_i_olo, but essentially who cares so long as people are willing to try.
We started with PIG, Sang, Temp, Neb and Shiraz however over the years we have introduced five new variants. First was our Spanish wine, made and bottled in Spain from Grenache, Carinena, Shiraz, Cab Sav and Merlot simply called Miro.
To the introduction of our Riesling and premium shiraz, The Rose Shiraz in 2013 and finally our NV Prosecco and Nebbiolo Rose in 2019. Each has its own individuality and place within the range, and each are all distinctly varietal.
With our grape sourcing coming from far and wide we settled on Nagambie, in Central Victoria as our home and barrel store.Nagambie also being Don’s home and well situated for easy access to vineyards and winery options.
Unfortunately, Don contracted cancer and died in early 2017. He loved Tar & Roses and what we had be able to achieve and it also gives me great pleasure to think we have been able to continue and grow the brand successfully in his absence. He would be so happy to see how many people now love and drink the Pinot Grigio.
"[Don] would be so happy to see how many people now love and drink the Pinot Grigio." - Narelle King Winemaker Tar & Roses
And the next fifteen years, well who knows. Life is short and you do really need to “just do it”. I think Covid has taught us to appreciate that and what’s important in our lives. Just like good coffee, you should enjoy the things that make you happy, especially fine wine."
29/07/2021 at 1:05 PM
Permalink
Escape to the Country | A Photographic Essay
What a brilliant thirty six hour jaunt in the depths of NSW wine.
Stops in Gundagai, Eurongilly, Wallaroo & Bungendore.
With special thanks to Jenny and Katie from Mezzanine TFWS and James from red+white, Annette Lacey and her team of Sommeliers from Solotel, and of course the phenomonal producers Nick Spencer from Nick Spencer Wines, Nick and Amy O'Leary from Nick O'Leary wines, Chris Carpenter from Lark Hill winery and Simon Rebertson from Tumblong Hills.
Nick Spencer (left) & James Kilmartin unpacking the essentials into the delightful Airbnb 'The Crossing Place' in Gundagai, NSW.
Leaves on the Riesling vines slowly yellowing in the Autumn sun. Nick O'Leary estate vinyards in Wallaroo, about 30mins NW of Canberra's CBD, yet oddly in NSW.
The picturesque dinner setting on the crest on Nick Spencer's yet to be planted, new vineyard. Situated in the tiny hamlet of Eurongilly in the central part of the Riverina and situated about 19 kilometres north west of Nangus and 21 kilometres south east of Junee.
Sampling a glass of Nick Spencer's Tumbarumba Chardonnay while the suns sets and the temperature sharply drops. Eurongilly, NSW.
Esky diving.
Ted Rutledge (Aria, Sydney) getting a warm welcome from one of the Eurongilly locals.
The hearty campfire. A long dead tree from the property was hoist up the dusty track and lit five hours prior to our arrival to ensure maximum guest warmth.
08/07/2021 at 11:14 AM
Permalink
Cullen Celebrates 50 Years of Fine Wine
A brief break from most lockdowns and a fleetingly-ajar Western Australian border saw MTFWS representatives Jenny Butcher (NSW), Gae Grant (QLD), Nick Kay (SA), Tyrone Stott (WA) and Craig Haworth (QLD) join Vanya Cullen and some very special guests for the 50 Years Tasting and associated events.
"Venturing into the vines we planted sunflower seeds in the centre of the vineyard which had been marked with a special quartz stone. Spending time among the vines emphasised how central the earth, soil and site are to the wine. Feeling the energy held in the land and finding the "heart" beating beneath our feet." - Gae Grant MTFWS (QLD)
"We were totally spoiled. The Kevin John and Diana Madeline verticals were once-in-a-lifetime. I also found the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc tastings so interesting. The original Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc (Cullen Vineyard) were planted in the 70s, with planting of the Mangan Vineyard commencing the mid-1990s. Originally, Cullen blended the two vineyards, but the introduction of biodynamics in 2006 began to amplify the sites' own styles. Vanya decided to showcase their individuality release both a Cullen and a Mangan Vineyard wine from then on. Seeing the differences emerge through time was illuminating." - Gae Grant MTFWS (QLD)
"It was such a privilege to attend the tastings and absorb the conversations of some of the country’s best wine writers and industry leaders. Vanya’s passion shone through in the wines and expressed her vision in every glass." - Nick Kay (SA)
08/06/2021 at 11:27 AM
Permalink
Family Matters
|
Passionately led by sisters Katherine and Julia Jackson, Cambria Estate sits on storied land located in the cool, coastal ridges of the Santa Maria Valley. Early pioneers of this region, Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke purchased the estate in 1986. All wines are single vineyard expressions, sustainably farmed, and Estate grown, produced and bottled. Known for site-specific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Katherine’s and Julia’s vineyards. As home to a rare geological feature, found in only a few places in the Western Hemisphere, the Santa Maria Valley is an ideal place to make wine. A transverse mountain range—running east-west instead of a common north-south orientation—plays a major role in grapes’ maturation. Cool air and fog funnel from the Pacific Ocean inland. Not only is it a wine produced amidst the stress and uncertainty of the Covid19 lockdown, but it is also the inaugural release of an organic single vineyard wine from the Nanny Goat Vineyard in Queensberry. |
These elements temper what would normally be a hot climate. The Jackson sisters and winemaker Jill Russell refer to the climate as their “refrigerated sunshine.” As a result, the vines benefit from a long and steady growing season, about 200 days a year compared Burgundy’s 160-day-long season, and it’s easy to see how Cambria wines develop a beautiful texture and great fruit, while still retaining energy and bright acidity.
The Pacific Ocean not only influences the climate, but our soils as well. Marine sediments, like seashells and fossils, coupled with mixed sand, create numerous sites, all which give grapes diverse personalities and profiles. A good place to start is the Cambria Julia's Pinot Noir 2019 and Cambria Katherine's Chardonnay 2019.
NANNY GOAT QUEENSBERRY CHARDONNAY 2020 and NANNY GOAT QUEENSBERRY PINOT NOIR 2020 available now in limited quantities through your Mezzanine The Fine Wine Specialist Area Manager
SHOP ALL NANNY GOAT VINEYARD WINES
19/10/2016 at 8:59 AM
Permalink
My Fourth Blog Post
This is a blog post. Learn how to add/edit blog posts here »
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam nisl nunc, mattis et interdum quis, elementum ac ligula. Sed nulla nisl, posuere eget euismod quis, aliquet nec eros. In libero libero, tristique ut interdum et, dictum porta mi. Suspendisse id egestas lectus.
Proin justo lectus, blandit vel auctor nec, pretium venenatis elit. Phasellus purus justo, tempor ut molestie luctus, eleifend eget quam. Aliquam pulvinar neque ac leo euismod sed vulputate ipsum semper. Sed sed quam sed diam consectetur mollis vitae nec urna. Cras fermentum nisl eget augue dictum id euismod metus tincidunt. Maecenas a lorem risus. Nunc sit amet ante luctus lacus porta varius. Mauris eu ante vitae eros faucibus aliquet nec ac nisl.
Vestibulum pharetra, orci id aliquet venenatis, velit turpis rutrum velit, eget pharetra turpis lectus nec massa. In ultricies massa a tortor blandit cursus. Morbi sed nibh vel nulla porta ultrices. Ut neque tellus, laoreet sed volutpat sed, pulvinar eu ipsum. Nullam rutrum ante eu neque molestie non tempus elit viverra. Sed pellentesque odio vel massa luctus feugiat. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. In in euismod velit. Nulla lectus est, rhoncus sit amet tempus quis, hendrerit eu ante. Nam dignissim tincidunt lacus, non iaculis urna posuere et. Fusce molestie, elit eu vulputate lacinia, est sapien luctus lorem, ut placerat nisl lectus sit amet orci. Vestibulum ac risus sed sem auctor vestibulum et eget nisi. Nunc vel pulvinar velit. Sed egestas purus quis nibh sagittis adipiscing.
17/10/2016 at 9:03 AM
Permalink
My Third Blog Post
This is a blog post. Learn how to add/edit blog posts here »
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam nisl nunc, mattis et interdum quis, elementum ac ligula. Sed nulla nisl, posuere eget euismod quis, aliquet nec eros. In libero libero, tristique ut interdum et, dictum porta mi. Suspendisse id egestas lectus.
Proin justo lectus, blandit vel auctor nec, pretium venenatis elit. Phasellus purus justo, tempor ut molestie luctus, eleifend eget quam. Aliquam pulvinar neque ac leo euismod sed vulputate ipsum semper. Sed sed quam sed diam consectetur mollis vitae nec urna. Cras fermentum nisl eget augue dictum id euismod metus tincidunt. Maecenas a lorem risus. Nunc sit amet ante luctus lacus porta varius. Mauris eu ante vitae eros faucibus aliquet nec ac nisl.
Vestibulum pharetra, orci id aliquet venenatis, velit turpis rutrum velit, eget pharetra turpis lectus nec massa. In ultricies massa a tortor blandit cursus. Morbi sed nibh vel nulla porta ultrices. Ut neque tellus, laoreet sed volutpat sed, pulvinar eu ipsum. Nullam rutrum ante eu neque molestie non tempus elit viverra. Sed pellentesque odio vel massa luctus feugiat. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. In in euismod velit. Nulla lectus est, rhoncus sit amet tempus quis, hendrerit eu ante. Nam dignissim tincidunt lacus, non iaculis urna posuere et. Fusce molestie, elit eu vulputate lacinia, est sapien luctus lorem, ut placerat nisl lectus sit amet orci. Vestibulum ac risus sed sem auctor vestibulum et eget nisi. Nunc vel pulvinar velit. Sed egestas purus quis nibh sagittis adipiscing.
17/10/2016 at 9:02 AM
Permalink
My First Blog Post
This is a blog post. Learn how to add/edit blog posts here »
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam nisl nunc, mattis et interdum quis, elementum ac ligula. Sed nulla nisl, posuere eget euismod quis, aliquet nec eros. In libero libero, tristique ut interdum et, dictum porta mi. Suspendisse id egestas lectus.
Proin justo lectus, blandit vel auctor nec, pretium venenatis elit. Phasellus purus justo, tempor ut molestie luctus, eleifend eget quam. Aliquam pulvinar neque ac leo euismod sed vulputate ipsum semper. Sed sed quam sed diam consectetur mollis vitae nec urna. Cras fermentum nisl eget augue dictum id euismod metus tincidunt. Maecenas a lorem risus. Nunc sit amet ante luctus lacus porta varius. Mauris eu ante vitae eros faucibus aliquet nec ac nisl.
Vestibulum pharetra, orci id aliquet venenatis, velit turpis rutrum velit, eget pharetra turpis lectus nec massa. In ultricies massa a tortor blandit cursus. Morbi sed nibh vel nulla porta ultrices. Ut neque tellus, laoreet sed volutpat sed, pulvinar eu ipsum. Nullam rutrum ante eu neque molestie non tempus elit viverra. Sed pellentesque odio vel massa luctus feugiat. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. In in euismod velit. Nulla lectus est, rhoncus sit amet tempus quis, hendrerit eu ante. Nam dignissim tincidunt lacus, non iaculis urna posuere et. Fusce molestie, elit eu vulputate lacinia, est sapien luctus lorem, ut placerat nisl lectus sit amet orci. Vestibulum ac risus sed sem auctor vestibulum et eget nisi. Nunc vel pulvinar velit. Sed egestas purus quis nibh sagittis adipiscing.
Comments (3)