19 WINERIES LAND IN MELBOURNE LANEWAY!

Winemakers of Rutherglen

 Words by Celeste Iuliano

**Melbourne Events writer, Celeste Iuliano, hit the laneways of Melbourne a few days ago, to sample wines of the Rutherglen region at the launch of ‘Rutherglen in the City’.

What could be more Melbourne (and more Rutherglen too, we soon discover!), than a boozy picnic under the temperamental night sky?

Last weekend, 25th to 27th August, our cosmopolitan city was offered a taste of the country, with a pop-up wine bar in The Strand Melbourne’s Driver Lane. ‘Rutherglen in the City’ was brought to you by the Winemakers of Rutherglen, an association of 19 wineries with more than 150 years of heritage.

Younger Melburnians may associate Rutherglen with childhood trips; those happy weekends spent eating Dutch pancakes while mum and dad indulged in a few glasses of wine. However this image of Rutherglen as a very traditional wine region is rapidly changing. Rutherglen is now attracting a more diverse crowd, with its bold and iconic wine varieties. The region is known for it’s durif reds, sparkling reds, alternative whites, and muscats, all of which were sampled over the 3 day event. For those feeling a little experimental, the cocktails were the thing to try – the Muscat Cooler, Muscat Sangria, and the Muscat Espresso Martini.

‘Rutherglen in the City’ was a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s culture of good wine and warm hospitality. The winemakers were there to take you through the tastings and to share their stories. Some of them have up to 5 generations experience, so there was a lot to learn!

If you managed to sample this small slice of paradise in the city, no doubt you’ll be planning your trip to the cellar door soon!

Instagram & Facebook: @winerutherglen 

www.winemakers.com.au

The Winemakers of Rutherglen

Images Courtesy of Thomas Bindley & Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony – Little Big MarketingPR

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Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmet

Read on for additional info and pics…

The recent event ‘Rutherglen in the City’ in The Strand Melbourne’s Driver Lane, was transformed into a winter wine bar right in the heart of the city, with fairy lights, wine barrels, Australian foliage, communal furniture, acoustic tunes and a mock cellar door.

Melburnians discovered Durif and Muscat – two distinct varietals that flourish in the Rutherglen soils and represent both the region’s tradition and innovation. Revered world-wide for its fortified wines, the Winemakers of Rutherglen are trying new ways with Muscat with a range of Muscat cocktails on offer, think Muscat Coolers, Muscat Sangria and Muscat Espresso Martinis.

The Winemakers of Rutherglen are an inspiring collective of 19 wineries from one of Australia’s most historic and iconic wine regions – Rutherglen. 

Situated in “God’s Country”, protected by the Great Dividing Range, Rutherglen is blessed with cool nights, warm days and gloriously long, dry autumns. In essence, the ideal viticultural conditions for pioneering varietals that are uniquely Australian in charm and in spirit.

 With Durif and Muscat at its heart – representing both innovation and tradition – Rutherglen is a region unlike any other. More than 150 years of winemaking heritage combined with a range of familiar and distinctive varietals, will see you discover Rutherglen wines as versatile, brave and joyful.

 Unearth the spirit of Rutherglen wines today.

**Additional info Winemakers of Rutherglen/Jarryd Pentony/Little Big MarketingPR