I had a fantastic few days up in The Hills just before Christmas, for some much needed festive R&R. I stayed in Stirling a lovely little village founded by the Brits that made me feel right at home with the beautiful large oak trees, fresh air and fantastic pubs!
Within easy reach of Stirling you can travel to many of the fantastic wineries in the area, read more about the Adelaide Hills wine region, but this trip it was Tapanappa that we had to visit and I would certainly say is a must for anyone in the area. Tapanappa is owned by Brian Croser, a legend of the Australian wine industry having essentially started the rejuvenation phase of the Adelaide Hills in the 70s by appreciating what a cool climate region could offer to produce quality Chardonnay in particular. He initially founded Petaluma that was later sold to Accolade wines and wanting to continue making great wines he kept this beautiful spot in the Piccadilly Valley where he now lives and works – pretty dreamy! The Chardonnay’s are fantastic, particular The Tiers – buttery, delicious, impressive.
Tapanappa are also keeping it in the family with the next generation of winemaking. Brian’s daughter Lucy and her husband Xavier, who’s father was Christian Bizot aka French winemaker and head of the Bollinger Champagne house, have started their own sparkling wine label, DAOSA, as well as a still wine label, Terre à Terre – an absolute match made in winemaking heaven in my eyes!
The Tapanappa tasting room have just launched a combined tasting of both Tapanappa and the DAOSA/ Terre à Terre wines with the opportunity to try DAOSA Blanc de Blanc Sparkling, Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay and the Terre à Terre Crayeres Vineyard Reserve amongst other things! Visit their website to book.
It wasn’t only the wineries that are the drawcard for this region, the pubs were FANTASTIC! The Crafers Hotel just down the road from Stirling had the best wine room I have seen outside of London. With a Margaux collection to die for, a Sauternes from the 40s rumoured to have been from Hitlers cellar 😬 plus Burgundy a plenty…I was a kid in a candy shop. A seriously impressive collection at decent prices, with a side of steak frites what more could you ask for.
And in Stirling itself The Stirling Hotel also had a very impressive wine list, with plenty by the glass too, as well as delicious food. We enjoyed a beautiful bottle of Shaw and Smith’s ‘The Lenswood’ Chardonnay, I think this wine is just divine, plus an ‘10 Bordeaux that made for a pretty dreamy Christmas Eve…it even got below 15 degrees so I could sit by the fire, felt right at home!
