It was a long & glorious winter...the skiing was some of the best we can all remember. Tho...2009 was not shabby...2011 set all kinds of records. Over 500 inches fell during the ski season (we all gave up counting after the ski area closed at the end of April). In fact, it snowed for the better (read "worse") part of May. But, June hit and it was suddenly 70+*! Summer started before summer officially started. And then came last night...thunder and lightning that rocked the house and almost killed the family dog with fright. We woke up to a fresh 4inches on the ground. Really? Yes, really. (But fear not, I am sure things will get back on track and the glorious azure blue sky days will return with imminent grace.) Nonetheless...I was thankful I had a d'Arenberg wine luncheon to go to (courtesy of Chris Rowe/ Old Bridge Cellars)....a bright event on an otherwise wet, chilly & demoralizing day in June.

d'Arenberg is a wonderful, family run winery in McLaren Vale, Australia. They are probably my favorite Aussie wines... and, happily, there is no shortage of them. They make over 50 different wines each vintage. Viognier/Marsanne blends, Shiraz/Viognier, Mourvedre, Cabernet Blends, Chardonnay, Grenache, Sticky dessert wines ...and even a Sagrantino blended with Cinsault! They come with an endearing story of generations of winemaking... from the patriarch (in the truest sense of the word, he seems settled in his shoes, confident in his life's work: the winery and his family legacy) d'Arry, who just celebrated his 85th birthday...to his son, Chester, the wild haired/ wild man/talented and passionate winemaker who has taken on the role to carry on his family's winemaking heritage. Both d'Arry and Chester are equally charming in their respective ways. And their wines are just as colorful...each one has a whimsical child-like exuberant name and there is always a crazy story behind it (The Laughing Magpie, The Hermit Crab, The Galvo Garage, The Last Ditch, The Love Grass). Lots of fun & games...but the wines are beautifully made. While most of the work, they like to say, is done in the vineyard...they take great care with their master blending. Chester and Nick James-Martin are at the helm...vinifying the lots separately and blending (according to the vintage challenges and attributes and style of wine they are after) just before bottling.



Come by...try some of these wines. They will lift your spirit...even on a snowy day in June :)