A mention by the great man, James Halliday, makes us very happy at Oliver’s Taranga

We were very happy to see a lovely review from James Halliday in The Weekend Australian Magazine this weekend. Though it seems that our family tree confused James a couple of times (HJ was my Grandfather, not Great Uncle, and Marjorie is HJ’s widow, not RW’s), but I suppose that is too be expected when you have 6 generations on the same property!

The 09 Shiraz and 09 DJ are just about to be released- so email me at corrina@oliverstaranga.com if you want us to pop you on the wait list. The 11 Fiano is released, but is not going to last much longer- so be quick!

Blog 2: Meet Brioni & Corrina- Generation 6

Brioni, Corrina & Miah at Corrina’s Wedding in 2008

One wonders whether William Oliver could have thought that two women would be at the helm of the business he began in 1841? Because 170 years later, that is just the case.

Cousins and close friends Corrina and Brioni now hold two of the most important roles at Oliver’s Taranga. As winemaker and Cellar Manager respectively, these two talented and down to earth ladies continue to uphold the tradition and heritage of the generations before them.

 

After generations of wine growers, Corrina is actually the first of the Oliver’s to become a winemaker – convincing her grandfather to let her have some grapes that would make the first Oliver’s Taranga branded wine in 1994. Corrina is a wine judge, mother of two and talented patchwork quilt maker.

 

Brioni studied wine marketing and drives a mean forklift, in thongs of course. Her dog Patterson is a consistent shadow around her on the Oliver’s property, particularly behind the cellar door bench that Brioni now takes care of. Brioni, the daughter of Don Oliver, is a decorated sportswoman and loves a good laugh.

 

Brioni, Corrina, Margie, Don & Patterson- the Oliver's Taranga team today

Brioni & Corrina recieving the SA Wine Awards 2011 Best Consumer Shiraz Trophy

 

Blog 11: Tastes of Taranga with Vice Wine Bar, Balmain

A great night was had at Vice Wine Bar for the Tastes of Taranga evening. What a brilliant venue host Glen Fox has created. The Oliver’s Taranga wines were matched with great taste sensations by Chef Tim Pratt.

Brioni & I were excited to make lots of new friends and share some of the Oliver’s Taranga story. A big congratulations to Julian Robertson who won the door prize- a $50 voucher from Oliver’s Taranga!!

Brioni, Vice Wine Bar owner Glen Fox and I

 

The upstairs room at Vice Wine Bar

 

One of my new friends

 

One of the tables enjoy the evening

 

Chef Tim offers some morsels

 

Paul & Susie- thanks for taking the pics Paul!

 

 

Blog 16: Vermentino & Sardines photo shoot!

Part of our stay in Sydney involved being poster girls for the upcoming V+S Ball (Vermentino & Sardines Ball) at the Clovelly Surf Club. The event is part of the Sydney International Food Festival, and involves some awesome Chefs, winemakers and loads of fun! Find out more about it here: http://kookipr.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/a-shindig-like-no-other-%e2%80%93-introducing-the-vs-ball/.

Brioni calling her agent to see if she is ok to be part of the photo!!!

Vermentino & Sardines photo shoot!

 

Blog 18: Lunch at Quay……Brioni hearts the ‘snow egg’

Not a bad view!

One Sydney restaurant that has been a supporter of Oliver’s Taranga for a long time is Quay, so Brioni and I felt it was our duty to check it out! Quay is housed in the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Circular Quay- directly across from the Opera House. Pretty special spot.

Brioni & I were the only table that wasnt a couple having a romantic lunch gazing into each others eyes- this place must be proposal central!

The four course lunch menu has our mouthwatering before we even begin, and the food doesnt dissappoint when it arrives at our table.

Head Sommellier Dan has done a brilliant job on the wine list- especially given that it includes our 04 Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz!

Course 1- the red balls are sashimi tuna....divine

 

Course 2: Organic heirloom carrots, cumin, fennel & celery seeds, comté-infused curd, almonds, amaranth

 

Course 3- Berkshire pig jowl, maltose crackling, prunes, cauliflower cream, perfumed with prune kernel oil

 

Course 4: Quay's Eight texture chocolate cake

Brioni was most excited about her 4th course, the famous Peter Gilmore Snow Egg- and she wasnt dissapointed!

Brioni heart Snow Egg

 

 

Blog 19: Tastes of Taranga at Vice Wine Bar, Balmain

Brioni and I have spent a whirlwind few days in Sydney- doing everything from tasting events through to kissing a Sardine (we will chat about that one later!)

 On Tuesday night we joined Glen from Vice Wine Bar in Balmain and his team for an Oliver’s Taranga range tasting matched with lovely tasting plates.

It was a really great night- with loads of questions from the floor, and some great feedback on the wines. Brilliant to meet with people who are passionate about wine and eager to learn more- and who made the effort to head out on a school night!

Blog 31: Vice Wine Bar & Oliver’s Taranga Team up- 20th September in Balmain

If you find yourself with nothing to do on a school night (Tues 20th Sept), would love you to join us at Vice Wine Bar in Balmain. To book email fox@vicewinebar.com.au or phone 0280682441.

 

Blog 34: Happy Fathers Day biking the McLaren Vale Shiraz Trail

The Shiraz Trail markers

Happy Fathers Day!

For Father’s Day-  Dad (Don), Marg  and I went for a bike ride along the Shiraz Trail, which goes from McLaren Vale to Willunga along the old train line. It’s a beautiful trail. We started in Field Street in McLaren Vale and rode past Bracegirdle  http://www.bracegirdles.com.au/ the home of McLaren Vale’s best hot chocolates! We were tempted but decided to pedal on as we had only travelled about 200m at that stage!  

The Shiraz Trail is a really nice track to bike, walk or horse ride along and a good way to get away from the traffic. You only have to cross about 4 roads from McLaren Vale to Willunga, and if you have a Dad like mine you don’t even have to stop. Dad rides ahead before each intersection and tells me if any cars are coming so I don’t have to stop. I have a road bike with cleat pedals and I sometimes have trouble getting my feet out when we stop causing me to fall over sideways at intersections (very embarrassing) so Dad yells ‘all clear’ when it’s safe to cross. Thanks Dad, you save us both a lot of embarrassment!    

We follow the trail around to the Southern Hills Pony Club and up past the Willunga Oval then up the hill to Christina’s on High Street for a chocolate milkshake.

After the milkshake we fly home because there is a slight decline back to Mclaren Vale which makes for easy riding!

Dad & I all geared up for the ride

There are quite a few Cellar Doors along the way that are definitely worth  a visit including Primo Estate right next to the track. http://www.primoestate.com.au.

For more info on the Shiraz Trail or the Coast to Vines Trail click here. 

 A personal tip- if you are travelling along the trail at this time of year beware of the SWOOPING MAGPIES! I got dive bombed about 10 times (very scary, but kind of funny at the same time). Gran’s tip is to draw eyes on a empty ice-cream container and put it on your head. Or a more modern tip from Dad is to put zip ties on your helmet so they bomb the zip ties and not your head!! 

Cheers from Brioni

Blog 70: The real reason Brioni was missing from The Adelaide Magazine article

This is one for everyone who has been asking me why Brioni was missing from our recent article in The Adelaide Magazine- she was having much more fun…….

“Its winter so a good opportunity for us to get out of the winery.

Chris and I filled the back packs and jetted over to LA to soak up some California sun! Cruising around Santa Monica on our low rider bikes, checking out the muscle men at Venice Beach. Making our selves sick on the roller coasters at Disneyland! And keeping our eye out for movie stars. Fun times!

Brioni & Chris & Disneyland

We then hired a little blue VW and drove across to Vegas to try our luck!.. being the big spenders that we are we lost a whole $50 USD, so we gave up on that idea and decided to check out some shows! We saw Mystere Cirque du Soleil ( the underwater one, Amazing!), The Lion King (also amazing) and The Carrot Top (interesting..)

Next stop Mexico! Which pretty much consisted of tequila, corona, tacos, fajitas, lying on the beach and reading! Tough couple of weeks! But don’t worry I’m back, energised and ready to go! 

Mexico Cities Pyramids

Cheers,

Brioni x

Blog 82: Netball Update from Brioni

The mighty McLaren Vale Eagles are on the way to collecting another premiership!  (fingers crossed anyway!) currently sitting in top position!

The team

McLaren Vale netball club is in the Great Southern league we play teams from Victor Harbor, Yankalilla and as far as Langhorne Creek.

My team got off to a rocky start this season with a few near misses but still only one loss to Stathalbyn. We can’t put our finger on why we lost but we are confident we can beat them next time. I’ll keep you posted as we get closer to finals! (I bet you’re on the edge of your seats!) Our next game is against Mount Compass who we drew against last time we played. Now this could be a good game, it’s at the Vale so hopefully we will have the home ground advantage.   

Go Vale!

Go in ball......