Accomodation is certainly excellent and in a quiet area . Today is first of two days with events on to celebrate CLPs upcoming birthday . We always celebrate birthdays together with a special dinner and often a stay in a classy room or a spa package. (I try to leave the country of course usually for mine but still hook in early – I may be old but not stupid ) As already in nice digs it seems the spa package is a natch. We like a bit of luxury as we get old and I checked last night – the road is already clean.
So the real issue today is to be sensible so one can enjoy tonight’s feast. Now remember I did say was getting older so let’s see how plan holds up by end of day . As no sculptures in the area – there is a God 😎 – how does one fill in those pesky 4 hrs between getting out of bed and wineries opening. Check out the back yard for plumage. Hey there are doves. Wait a minute …. Dove Cottage. I assumed it was just the soap they used
It’s fair to say that the Main Street of Tanunda does not have the same charm of Hahndorf. Let’s try for our first good coffee in SA . This will involve heading out to Angaston and Nuriootpa nearby and a fair amount of luck I imagine . There are several to try of course but Bean Addiction sounds about right . Well it did until saw it is closed on Mondays . Memories of Baltimore come flooding back .
So it was Barista Sista then in Nuriootpa . I wouldn’t get the gold medals out just yet but very passable. The main winery to see this morning was Teusner both being fans of the Bilmore Shiraz amongst others . It’s a complex process though where you have to join Righteous Society and then book in a cellar door 24 hrs prior. We did this but no response yet so headed on to Taste of Eden Valley in Angaston for 10 am opening. Good way to try some wineries that don’t have cellar doors. By now Tuesner contacted us to say 11 am was it. This meant things were a bit tight to do justice to Yalumba but we took some photos of magnificent building . Then onto Tuesner and from outside you would not be impressed. The inside don’t get the superlatives rolling of the tongue either as basically the “cellar door” is in the office in a tin shed with Shazza and Bazza banging away on keyboards while you sip. The place is in rebuilding stage though and when you taste the range you forgive the surroundings. Good portions and the owner drinks with you while tasting! We bought several and by now was feeling rather flushed of face
The wobbly boot was on now but it was the left foot and I accelerate with the right so we are sweet. Onto Maggie Beers farm for some lunch and no alcohol . Perfect light fodder in keeping with plan. Then onto Hewitson and Turkey Flat which were both very fine cellar doors but to be fair maybe did not do them justice after imbibing at Tuesner .
By then it was time to head home for a bit and detoxify . I think the French have a word for it
After a rest and bath time to put on the finery and head out to Appellation at The Louise in Seppeltsfield. The biggest concern is by time they bring out the first course I am usually in bed on this trip.
Stunning meal in a glorious location. A drink on the verandah as sun set – you know if not cloudy – and then a 4 course degustation with matching wines. We both chose different options so we would get different wines. With age comes wisdom. Mind you my second wine was 20% ABV that knocked me for a while as these wines were half glasses each time ! A wonderful first half of birthday celebrations if a tad tired the next morn
flashman181 