Wineries ready to roll out the barrel

THE Bendigo and Heathcote Barrel Wine Tasting Weekend is back again and seeking to give guests the chance to slip in behind the cellar door and drink straight from the oak.

This year the participating venues include Balgownie Estate, Lome Winery, Blackjack Wines, Grangehill Vineyard, Killiecrankie Wines, Sandhurst Ridge Winery, Mandurang Valley Wines, Sutton Grange Winery and Turning Crossing.

Wes Vine from Mandurang Valley Wines said it was a special weekend for those who attend.

“It’s centred on the workspace in the winery where people have the opportunity to taste wine directly from the barrel,” he said.

“There’s a whole range of things people do depending upon which winery they’re visiting. So, it is not going to be the same at each winery.

“For example, we do a blending experience where we get people to taste three individual varieties and then see what the resulting wine looks like when you put the three varieties together in equal parts.”

Mr Vine said it gives wine lovers a chance to try a rawer product and compare it to something that’s been bottled.

“The main difference is that wines in barrels tend to take on a much more intense flavour profile which the oak is contributing to,” he said.

“Once we take it out of oak to bottle, it only needs to be out for maybe a month or so in the tank before you see that strong oak influence start to decline.

“I suppose we are giving people the opportunity to see what the winemakers are working with, in a sense, the raw materials rather than the finished product.

“After the tasting experience, a lot of people will come to the cellar door and will taste the commercial blends, so they can then see the difference between the two.”

The Barrel Wine Tasting Weekend is taking place over the 7 and 8 July with tickets $10 dollars per person per winery and more information visit bit.ly/447K57T for tour and tasting times.