Master Classes
These classes will explore the regional differences of the classic and new varietals grown in Australia. They will examine some of the best wines from across Australia. If you have ever wondered about the effects of tough soils, scarce water, maritime versus cool climates and the other influences of regionality, then this may be just the thing for you.
The format of the classes is that you will review up to eight wines with their winemakers and owners. The wines will be served in Riedel of course! These Regional Heroe Masterclasses are free of charge. They will be held in the Circular Quay Terrace and the James Fairfax Boardroom on the 6th Floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Bookings are essential and can be made by completing the by completing the Ticket & Masterclass booking form.pdf or by booking a place when you register at the exhibition on arrival. Please collect your tickets on arrival at reception, as uncollected tickets will be given away to our standby list 20 minutes prior to the start of each Masterclass.
Scroll down for our program of topics and wines
MASTERCLASS SCHEDULE :
Thursday 27 August 2009
3.30 - 4.30pm Nicholson River Chardonnay Retrospective 1985 -2007.
This is a once in a lifetime to opportunity to a retrospective tasting of the irrepresible Ken Eckersely's quest in producing Chardonnay. Ken will guide the class through a selection of 12 vintages of his museum stock, from 1985-2007. He calls this "The Australian Story - this is my life in Chardonnay".
Some of these wines are so rare and few in number, that it is unlikely we will ever have the chance to see and taste these again.
4.30 - 5.15pm The Diverse wine styles of the Adelaide Hills
Discover with the winemakers why the wines from the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills are so special.
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5.30 - 6.15pm Chardonnay: Have the new wave Australian Chardonnays raised the bar again.
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6.30 - 7.15pm What's in a name - is it Albarino or Savagnin?
So you thought it was Albarino... well, it’s not. Those who know Spanish Albarino were getting very excited by the wines that Tscharke and Crittenden and others are making, but since it’s been discovered that the grapes are not Albarino, there’s been a big cloud of uncertainty over the name. To some, it’s now called Savagnin. But the wines talk for themselves, and you can taste over a dozen of them, thanks to an initiative by Wine Focus Australia to get most of Australia’s Savagnin winemakers together to show you the 2009 wines.
In addition to the opportunity to taste these wines in the exhibition hall, a more detailed examination and tasting opportunity will be at this Master Class. This will allow you to assess for yourself what the prospects are for this old-but-new varietal.
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Brothers | 2009 Ltd Release Savagnin |
Roland Wahlquist |
King Valley, Victoria |
| Crittenden | 2009 Los Hermanos |
Rollo Crittenden |
King Valley , Victoria |
| Gemtree | 2009 Gemtree Moonstone |
Mike Brown |
Mc Laren Vale, SA |
Mc Williams |
2009 Nursery Collection |
Corey Ryan |
Mc Laren Vale, South Australia |
| Golding | 2009 Golding Savagnin |
Darren Golding |
Lenswood, South Australia |
| Rutherglen Estates | 2009 Rutherglen Estates Savagnin |
Marx Scalzo |
Rutherglen, Victoria |
| Tscharke | 2008 Girl Talk |
Damian Tscharke |
Barossa Valley, South Australia |
| Irvine Wines | 2009 Savagnin |
Jo Irvine |
Eden Valley, South Australia |
7.30 - 8.15pm The Australian case for Cabernet and its cousins
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylors Wines | St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 |
Cherry Stowman |
Clare Valley, South Australia |
| Longview Vineyard | Devils Elbow Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 |
Mark Saturno |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Plantagenent | Cabernet sauvignon 2007 |
Stuart Brookshaw |
Great Southern, Western Australia |
| Churchview Estate | Churchview "the Bartondale" Reserve Cabernet sauvignon 2005 |
Greg Garnish |
Margaret River, Western Australia |
Fox Gordon |
Fox Gordon By George Cabernet Tempranillo 2006 |
Natasha Mooney |
Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, South Australia |
| Fishbone | Cabernet Merlot 2007 |
Nick Ludkins |
Margaret River, WA |
| Tower Estate | Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 |
Scott Stephens |
Coonawarra, South Australia |
| Protero | Gumeracha Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 |
Mathew Quirk |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
Friday 28 August 2009
3.30 - 4.15pm Pinot Noir - A style comparison across Australia
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Farr Wines | Sangreal By Farr 2007 |
Nick Farr |
Geelong, Victoria |
| Nicholson River | Pinot Noir 2005 |
Ken Eckersley |
Gippsland, Victoria |
| Tower Estate | Pinot Noir 2008 |
Scott Stephens |
Tasmania |
| Tomich Wines | Pinot Noir 2008 |
Randal Tomich |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| O'Leary Walker | Pinot Noir 2008 |
Susan Bell |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| The Cups Estate | Raimondo Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 |
Lee Fisicaro |
Mornington Peninsula, Vic |
4.30 - 5.15pm Chardonnay: Have the the new wave Australian Chardonnays raised the bar again.
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protero Wines | Protero Gumeracaha Chardonnay 2006 |
Mathew Quirk |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Yering Station | Chardonnay 2006 |
Mark Cunliffe |
Yarra Valley, Victoria |
| Churchview Estate | Churchview "The Bartondale" Reserve Chardonnay |
Greg Garnish |
Margaret River, Western Australia |
| Tamburlaine Wines | Reserve Chardonnay 2007 |
Mark Davidson |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Bird In Hand | Nest Egg Chardonnay 2008 |
Justin Nugent |
Adelaide Hills, SA |
| Bird In Hand | Two in the Bush Chardonnay 2008 |
Justin Nugent |
Adelaide Hills, SA |
| Tower Estate | Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2006 |
Scott Stephens |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
5.30 - 6.15pm The new wave of white varietals that will lap your taste buds.
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchview Estate | Churchview "The Bartondale" Reserve Marsanne 2007 |
Greg Garnish |
Margaret River, Western Australia |
| Tamburlaine | Reserve Verdelho 2008 |
Mark Davidson |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Hahndorf Hill Winery | Hahdorf Hill Pinot Grigio 2008 |
Larry Jacobs |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Fox Gordon | Fox Gordon Princess Fiano 2009 |
Natasha Mooney |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Mt View Estate | Mt View Estate "Limestone Creek" Verdelho 2009 |
Janelle Zerk |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Chrismont Wines | La Zona Arneis 2008 |
Arnie Pizzini |
King Valley, Victoria |
6.30 - 7.15pm Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and their blends - a savvy taste
SORRY YOU ARE TOO LATE - THIS MASTER CLASS IS FULLY BOOKED.
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | Lovedale Semillon 2003 |
Greg West |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Longview Vineyard | Whippet Sauvignon Blanc 2009 |
Mark Saturno |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Nicholson River | Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006 |
Ken Eckersley |
Gippsland, Victoria |
| Nepenthe | Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc 2009 |
Anna Rassias |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Tamburlaine | Reserve Saivignon Blanc 2008 |
Mark Davidson |
Orange , NSW |
| Fishbone | Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 08 |
Nick Ludkins |
Margaret River, WA |
| Mount Pleasant | Florence Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 |
Greg West |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
7.30 - 8.15pm Shiraz: The regional variations of Australia's hero variety
SORRY YOU ARE TOO LATE - THIS MASTER CLASS IS FULLY BOOKED.
| WINERY | FEATURED WINE | SPEAKER |
REGION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | Maurice O'Shea Shiraz 2005 |
Greg West |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Nicholson River | Syrah 2004 |
Ken Eckersley |
Gippsland, Victoria |
| Longview Vineyard | Yakka Shiraz 2007 |
Mark Saturno |
Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Churchview Estate | Churchview Shiraz 2007 |
Greg Garnish |
Margaret River, Western Australia |
| Mt View Estate | Mt View Estate Flagship Shiraz 2005 |
Janelle Zerk |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Mount Pleasant | Rosehill Shiraz |
Greg West |
Hunter Valley, NSW |
| Clayfield Wines | Grampians Shiraz 2004 |
Simon Clayfield |
Grampians, Victoria |
| The Chateau Tanunda Estate | Terroirs of the Barossa, Lyndoch Shiraz 2007 |
Mathew Mc Culloch |
Barossa Valley, South Australia |