Issue 62 - Spring 2012
COMING EVENTS
November 2012
ONE NIGHT ONLY! Saturday 24th November Sydney Harbour Twilight Cruise 2013 it is hoped will be a great year for Briar Ridge and our many Members;
March 2013
Join us the 1st Saturday in March for our Annual Harvest Indulgence. Spend the morning with Wine maker Scott Comyns "creating" your own Special Blend. Followed that evening with our Autumn Indulgence Dinner at the Grillade. Strictly limited spaces for the "Blending" so book early. Saturday 30th March (Easter weekend) Cellar Door Picnic Day Spread out in the beautiful gardens of Briar Ridge. Relax with a bottle of Briar Ridge wine as you listen to live music; order your picnic lunch delivered to your blanket.
April 2013
Brisbane Members Lunch Date & Venue TBC This time we will treat you to an afternoon of indulgence as we while away the hours in sunny Queensland.
May 2013
Sydney Members Dinner Date & Venue TBC Enjoy another great evening as we pair some of our latest release wines to some amazing food.
W
elcome,once again to your very own “Off the Press”. It’s fair to say that “Spring has sprung!" and the vineyard is alive and a buzz with budburst. There is greenery everywhere!
Mount View has seen some seriously gorgeous mornings, with the mist rising from the valley floor, caressing the hillsides. Then as the warmth of the sun evaporates the moist air we have been blessed with clear bright blue skies. Close to freezing some mornings but rising to a comfortable 20+ degrees, you couldn’t ask for more perfect spring weather. You will notice some pleasant changes to the Cellar Door when you visit next. The deck and veranda have been opened up and we have set up a lovely “Members Tasting Space” where you can sit and enjoy the view while one of our staff guides you through the Briar Ridge Premium Wine range. Belinda (our vineyard manager) has been flat out since mid-August with the onset of budburst. Liz Riley (our Vigneron) has also been busy and together they are paying some serious attention to their precious charges (grape vines). So far all is looking good and if the weather forecast stays on track (hot and dry summer) we should be in for a bumper Vintage. Fingers crossed. However, the biggest news on the block for Briar Ridge is our “New Chief Winemaker”, Scott Comyns. Joining the Briar Team in August, Scott comes to us with an impressive CV and an amazing enthusiasm and focus. We are all literally jumping for joy to have a “flag bearer” for the prestigious Briar Ridge brand. Those who joined us in Brisbane or were fortunate enough to secure tickets to the Indulgence Dinner at Briar Grillade will have enjoyed Scott’s exuberance and passion for wine and the wines of Briar Ridge. Your October tasting pack is certainly one of the best examples of what Briar Ridge can do. Included this time is one of my favourite wines is our 2011 Briar Hill Chardonnay. With up front fruit aromas of peach and apple, delicate flavours of stone fruit with a hint of sweet French vanillin oak; the 2011 Briar Hill Chardonnay matches with almost anything you care to put on your dining table. Superb drinking now, but for those of you preferring the more developed styles, lie it down for a few years and those divinely toasted honey characters will come forward to reward you.
June 2013
There is a lot happening at Briar Ridge over the coming months; our Calendar is full with all sorts of wonderful things, we have our Members Xmas specials coming up soon, so when you get the call, make sure you take advantage of the amazing specials we will be offering you. The Harbour Cruise is one event I know you will want to take advantage of so as we have limited spaces make sure you get in early.
September 2013
As always, I encourage you to visit us next time you are in the Hunter; make sure you call ahead to secure a spot on the veranda in the special Members Area or in our Members Cellar (downstairs) with a cheese plate and the full range of the premium Briar Ridge Wines available for tasting.
Saturday 8th June (long weekend) Cellar Door Winter Festival Food, wine and music in the garden setting. Saturday 14th September Spring Indulgence Dinner @ Briar Grillade Celebrate Bud Burst with us in another night of food wine and fun
October 2013
Saturday 7th October (long weekend) Sip, Sup and Sing Weekend Food, wine and music weekend at Briar Ridge.
November 2013
Saturday 23rd November – 6pm – 10pm Join us aboard The Commissioner II for a night sailing under the stars around Beautiful Sydney harbour.
Right now I’d like you to sit back with your favourite Briar Ridge wine and read on…………! Cheers Deb Debbie Sullivan – Briar Ridge Vintage Club Co-ordinator
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Win 2 tickets to our 2012 Harbour Cruise Email or call with your answer to this question: Who is the Hunter Valley’s Piano Man? Entries close November 7th 2012.