Drysdale &
INSIDE THIS EDITION…
Clifton Springs
November 2015
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North Bellarine’s Independent Newspaper
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Scotchmans Hill accolade
Scotchmans Hill chief winemaker Robin Brockett and cellar door attendant Kristin Wynberry sample the award-winning shiraz. 147129
By LUKE VOOGT Scotchmans Hill added to the Bellarine’s growing list of wine accolades last month, earning a top five place at the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Its 2013 Shiraz was one of four wines to score 19 points at the competition, just half a point behind the winner. “I was excited - there were lots of top quality wines there,” chief winemaker Robin Brockett said. “We sort of had the idea we were right up there.” Robin said the wine industry was thriving in the Bellarine. “This whole area in the last 10 to 15 years has really taken off,” he said. For Robin the Bellarine is a beautiful place to grow grapes, and he said the peninsula added quality to his wine. “This sort of climate really suits shiraz - it has a moderating effect on the growth rate,” he said. “It really helps enhance the fruit flavours and quality.” The chief winemaker said the award demonstrated the work his winery and vineyard staff had put in over the last few years. “Even though I might get my photo taken, it’s been the work of the whole vineyard and winery that’s got us this award,” he said. “They work hard all year round, when it’s cold and wet, or when it’s hot and there are flies.” The Great Australian Shiraz Challenge is in 21st year and featured a total of 272 wines this year.
Milemaker waives costs By LUKE VOOGT The Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association (DCSCA) breathed a huge sigh of relief this month, after Milemaker Petroleum decided to waive its legal costs. “We didn’t get out and celebrate
but a few of us slept better,” association president Rick Paradise said. VCAT invited Milemaker Petroleum to recover legal costs after a failed application by DCSCA against a petrol station the franchisee is building in Drysdale.
On 6 November, Milemaker general manager Ari Singer told DCSCA the franchisee would waive the funds as a gesture of goodwill. “It indicates that Milemaker are interested in getting involved in the community,” association secretary Patrick Hughes said.
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“It means we can get on with our normal work - promoting local people and their environment.” Fellow member Neil McGuinness said the association had accepted the petrol station and is now moving on. “We tried our best putting forward
what we thought the community wanted,” he said. DCSCA began a fund-raiser earlier this month to pay for the legal costs, in fear they would lead to the organisation’s closure. Continued page 3