Today dawned a bit foggy just for a change . Have not checked weather outside yet! Today is a full day on a chauffeured tour which should be good as can finally relax and have a drink at last . Staying sober this last week has not been easy . Given the cast of thousands we may not get to choose a winery to visit but still have tomorrow up our sleeves to visit ones we miss today. It could be a very quick 8 hrs or a very long one. Watch this space . And then read the next bit of course .It all unfolds at 0930 . Much like my waist at present in jeans . Trakkies were designed for Wine Country methinks
Ok, so someone can’t count and pretty sure not me. Despite only 1 spot left on tour we only had 6 people on tour which was a good number . Waiting 5 mins for last lass to appear from hotel lobby with more make up on then Bozo the Clown was a concern but she was fine. In fact the other 4 were only doing the morning half of the tour which left us to our own devices all afternoon which was great but equally it can be good to mix occasionally with like minded people .
First stop was Mistletoe Winery just up the road from Cameltoe apparently but less easy to see from the road they tell me. This is the type of wonderful small winery you would likely miss without a tour. Some great art on site as well and CLP made a friend who talked even less than me but had same rugged good looks.
The wines were good and the prices great , a hard combo to beat . A bit of a leisurely drive around area before returning to the Home Depot of Two Fat Blokes which luckily was next to another winery – de Iuliis. Try saying that 3 times quickly after a few sherberts. This was location for our wine and cheese matching experience. One is dry and one is wet is what I gleaned.
Next stop was the very picturesque Audrey Wilkinson Winery up in the hills. Great views and yet another excellent wine tasting even if the lady mixed up the Chardonay and Semillion straight off the bat . Sad actually as thought we had finally found a Chardy that wasn’t like Cardboardy. We then bid farewell to the pikers and sat down with our lunch like Jack and Jill atop the hill. Hope I don’t come tumbling down
BJ , our very helpful and knowledgeable sober driver , had to return the other 4 to their campsite so we had time to roam the estate and even had a meaningful chat to old Audrey himself although he did seem a tad aloof and stand offish.
Down the hill and around the bend we stumbled onto Gundog Estate which was next door to the Usher Tinkler winery we visited day before. Great range again and had place to ourselves apart from a very well behaved dog. I swear he didn’t bark or move the whole time we were there. I just had to go up and pat him as the poor bugger was freezing given his colour
Now with only two on board we were motoring and so onto last winery for our Chocolate and Wine matching experience at Glandore Winery. One is wet and one is soft is what I gleaned. It was a great experience though and the lady had come in especially just for us as power had been off all day. Once again we were impressed with the friendly and welcoming nature of all cellar doors we visited and in an impressive day already this may well have been the highlight. Another winery you would likely drive straight past by yourself
Finally then it was onto Hunter Beer Co for our final stop which was probably just as well as was starting to see 4 Fat Blokes . An interesting presentation first on the local process before trying the three included sample beers . I made the mistake of asking a few too many questions it seems as before I knew it there were about 5 beers in front of me and the Wobbly Boot was well and truly affixed.
All that was left now was to find my way to the car . It was black from memory.
I got home, uploaded some photos and fell asleep in front of TV watching Olympics at 7 pm
To be fair that could happen being totally sober .
A fantastic day all round and glad to have the photos to remember it , or at least parts of it ……
flashman181 