Shiraz Club Coup: Louisa Rose & Yalumba at Bar Barossa
July 26th, 2010
On Friday the 23rd of August, Brisbane's own Shiraz Club was proud to host a very special lunch with Yalumba's Louisa 
Rose at Bar Barossa. The eloquent and talented Rose won the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Women in Wine award in 2004 and was named Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller Wine in 2008. Despite all the accolades being thrown her way, Louisa remains humble and centered, pointing out that "at Yalumba, we don't make wine to win awards, we make it to be enjoyed." And the wines that were served over a long lunch that day were certainly enjoyed by all in attendance.
The afternoon began with a glass or two of an extremely youthful and fresh 2002 Yalumba D Cuvée, a rare sentimental favourite of the winery. Following the bubbles it was on to some delicious Bar Barossa Plates and the first flight of three superb Shiraz based wines. Rose fielded questions on the wines, explaining that the fruit sourced to form the backbone of the 2006 Shiraz Viognier was chosen for its aromatic & floral intensity even before it was co-fermented with 5% Viognier. "The Viognier is included for added textural complexity as much as anything else."
The next few wines were all part of Yalumba's highly acclaimed Single Site series, crafted with the intention of exploring the different qualities that sub-regions within the Barossa can impart. Each wine spoke of its place with conviction whilst also pairing beautifully with chef JJ. Smith's Whole Roasted Eye Fillet, Gruyere Rosti, Baby Vege's & Shitake Cream. Louisa spoke with a passion that seemed not to have dimmed over 18 years with the family owned winery. A sense of palpable excitement pervaded her discussion of the task ahead; investigating Barossan terroir in more detail.
Finally, it was onto the famous Options game. Most of the audience guessed correctly that the unidentified wine in front of them was from the Barossa, but the wheat was separated from the chaff when it came to guessing whether the Shiraz was from the Valley floor or the elevated Eden region. Eventually it was revealed that we were tasting a rare Magnum of 1987 Henschke Hill of Grace. A very special treat indeed and a fitting end to a spectacular gathering. -Jeremy Pringle
2010 Barossa in Boardshorts
July 16th, 2010
On Wednesday night we held our 3rd annual Barossa in Boardshorts wine tasting, an event which brings the best of the Barossa
to Brisbane. Another Paint the Town Purple success saw around 200 wine enthusiasts turn up, all eager to explore the diversity of the region through the small producers we aim to support. For many it was chance to discover the superb wines of Linfield Road, Domain Barossa, Balthazar, Russell wines, Moorooroo Park and other boutique producers from the region. Some people were even lucky enough to get a taste of a rare 2002 MDV Wines Eden Valley Riesling which was drinking beautifully and had many years ahead of it.
The night also marked our move to a special new tasting venue; The Strand at Rugby Quay. It's fantastic place to enjoy our Paint the Town Purple events and we appreciate your support as we continue to grow. Our special congratulations go to Brandon Wortley from Ray White who won a magnum of great wine and Kerry Grant of Teneriffe, winner of a unique Penfolds Grange tasting worth $900. We look forward to seeing you all next time!
Kalleske Wine Dinner
May 28th, 2010
An intimate gathering were treated to one of the nights of the year as Troy Kalleske journeyed to Brisbane to talk us through some of his most impressive wines, all matched to a delicious 4 course dinner whipped up by the very talented Jason JJ Smith. Upon arrival, guests were served the 2009 Kalleske Rosina Rose which had a wonderful affinity with both the fresh Coffin Bay Oysters dressed with Smallfry verjus salsa and Truffled Egg Cups topped with Sand Crab and Pearls.
Things just got better as we looked at six other tremendously poised and balanced red wines while the audience came up with some great questions for Troy, including asking how his parents reacted when he asked if he could start making wine out of grapes that had previously been sold to Penfolds to be used in the likes of Grange! Apparently it was a hard sell at first but they are justifiably happy and proud of their son's work now.
The evening ended with a game of options over a mystery wine that Troy had selected just for the occasion. It turned out to be a new Kalleske wine, unreleased to the general public; the stunning 2008 Eduard Shiraz and the lucky person who won the game went home with a personally signed bottle of Kalleske JMK Vintage Port.
Everyone enjoyed a wonderful night and Troy stayed until late into the evening to chat to people and answer further questions in depth. It was a great example of how exciting, fun and valuable our Winemaker Dinner series can be. -Jeremy Pringle
Brisbane Turned on to a New Breed of Wine
May 7th, 2010
Over 200 people of all ages descended on the Marriott Hotel last night to taste their way through some of the most exciting new brands in the world of wine. Another “sold out” success in Purple Palate’s Paint the Town Purple series, the Gen Y Wine Fest showcased over 20 producers committed to exploring new trends and introducing wine to a new generation of enthusiasts.
The wonderfully diverse array ran the gamut from Colin McBryde’s pulp fiction inspired, retro Some Young Punks range through to the super stylish and elegant wines of Heemskerk from Tasmania. It was also the first time most had received a chance to try the cult Mollydooker reds which have excited the US market. A great night was had by all, especially Kristie Jones who won a Dom Perignon tasting worth $900!
Did Purple Palate’s cameras capture you on the night? Check out our Gen Y gallery!
The next Paint the Town Purple event will be held on July 15th.
Massena, McLeans Farmgate & Schild Estate
February 19, 2010
When asked for the best method of marketing his wines, Big Bob McLean replied, "Get them into the customer's mouth". The February meeting of Brisbane's Shiraz Club was all about doing that, with guest's receiving glasses of Massena Viognier and Schild Estate Alma Reserve Chardonnay on arrival. There was also the pleasant surprise of Bob bringing up a delicious leg of Smoked Hogget, or "Lambon" as he referred to it, from one of his two tooths in the Barossa.
Then it was on to the real stuff, as two flights of Shiraz themed wines were served alongside a hefty rib-eye on the bone and creamy porcini mushroom sauce. Winemakers Bob of McLeans Farmgate, Jaysen Collins of Massena, and representative Carol Moore of Schild Estate explained a bit about their various operations and what was in each of the glasses in front of everyone.
Continuing well into the afternoon, the jovial gathering were treated to two more special experiences; a generous taste of the extremely limited production Schild Estate Moorooroo Shiraz 2005 sourced from vines planted in 1847, and a glass of Yalumba Octavius Shiraz 1993 from a 3 litre bottle uncorked especially for the occasion. A terrific turn out fully enjoyed yet another Shiraz Club success.
Purple Frenzy
February 19, 2010
More than 200 wine enthusiasts turned their palates purple last night, discovering dozens of new wines and beers from 17 boutique wineries and craft brewers at the Paint the Town Purple event in Brisbane.
Former Brisbane Bullets basketball coach Brian Kerle was among the wine savvy audience, which included high-flying City business men and women, lawyers and media identities.
Some of the winemakers, including veteran Marlborough identity Allan Scott, of Allan Scott wines, and Margaret River's Ron Fraser, from the critically acclaimed Chapman Grove, got into the spirit of the sold-out event by donning purple wigs.
Brisbane wine lover Kate Burrows went home a winner, picking up a private Grange tasting worth $900 for 15 of her friends in the special prize draw.
The next event in the Paint the Town Purple series will be held in May. - John Lehmann
Click here to see photos from Paint the Town Purple
Not just another lunch...
February 2, 2010
20 special guests including famous Australian Cricketers Matthew Hayden and Michael Kasprowicz gathered for a uniquely Barossan lunch at Bar Barossa. Read more
Brisbane Food Bloggers Dinner
January 19, 2010
Delightfully describing the experience as 'Happy Special', the girls from I Ate Brisbane were more than infected by Bar Barossa's passion for quality food and wine.
Read about the Brisbane Food Bloggers Dinner here
Bar Barossa Official Opening
Peter Lehmann (left) sips from the giant goblet, with sons Philip and David Franz (right)
November 2, 2009
We’re not really in to blowing our own trumpet, but it’s a little hard to resist after gossip go-go man Ken Lord celebrated our Bar Barossa Grand Opening party with a delightful string of purple prose.
“It’s the new kid on Queen St East: flamboyant, cool, sleek and ingenious," Lord wrote in The Sunday Mail. Well, if you say so, Ken!
It was a super night with winemaking trump Peter Lehmann officially opening Bar Barossa in Brisbane City with a slurp of his pinnacle Stonewell Shiraz from our giant goblet, specially created for the party.
With more than 100 VIP guests cheering him on, the Barossa legend joined his wife Margaret and winemaking sons David Franz and Phil Lehmann at the Grand Opening, November 2nd, 2009.
Retired international cricketers (Jimmy Maher and Andy Bichel), politicos (former Liberal leader Bruce
Flegg), media men (Courier-Mail columnist Des Houghton and ace newshounds Michael McKenna and Hedley Thomas), influential wine writers (Tyson Stelzer), business hot shots, musios and fashionistas set the scene.
Margaret Lehmann wows the crowd.
Bar Barossa kitchen maestro Jason JJ Smith ensured stomachs were lined with a spread of tasty treats, including steak and mushy pea pie tart, Coffin Bay oysters topped with sandcrab and hollandaise sauce and BBQ duck in rice paper rolls.
Peter Lehmann obliged news photographers by repeating his “official opening drink” from our 29 litre
wine glass three times, prompting son David to quip, “steady on guys, he’s only got one kidney and that’s not real good either!"
Larger-than-life Bar Barossa owner Trevor Harch, a long-time admirer of Queensland’s The Big Pineapple, commissioned the making of the giant wine glass ahead of the opening. The glass stands 95cm tall and weighs 22kg (before being filled with PeterLehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2004).
We were honoured to have Peter and Margaret who delighted the crowd with a crackerjack poem - in town for the occasion. We couldn’t think of a more appropriate family to open our bar on behalf of the Barossan winemaking fraternity.
“Bar Barossa has a marvellous atmosphere, great wines and wonderful food," the Lehmanns said after the event. “The love of wine, warmth and hospitality of the Bar Barossa team was as generous as the size of the glass." – John Lehmann
Click here to see photos from the Bar Barossa Official Opening
A barrel full of Barossa!
September 2, 2009
This fabulous evening proved that a barrel full of Barossa in Brisbane is still not enough.
Two talented wine scribes, Tyson Stelzer and Grant Dodd, chose Bar Barossa to launch their exciting new book entitled ‘Barossa Wine Traveller’, and they were greeted by over 60 passionate Barossa supporters, from winemakers to enthusiasts.
Among the themed canapés and Coopers ales were the duo's top 10 wines on offer for all to taste.The wines ranged from the affordable sub $20 drops to the elusive and rare wines topping $250 a bottle.
A very exciting night for all who attended, and Bar Barossa looks forward to supporting the book which is available in Purple Palate stores, and of course, Bar Barossa itself! - DD
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Golden 100 Spring Wine Spectacular!
October 22, 2008
Our Golden 100 Spring Wine Spectacular was a roaring success with nearly 200 guests sampling a fabulous range of new release wines from Australia and New Zealand. Champion cricketers, politicians, newspaper columnists, models, city businessmen and hipsters alike sampled more than 130 wines from 15 of Queensland top wine distributors.
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Maddie, Rob & Tegan brought a little spring magic to our wine spectacular.