Ever since the French novelist Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont published the fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) in 1756 interpretations of this tale have been turning up around the world. Such interpretations have not been restricted to the literary world but also used in the wine world. Such was the case when our wine adventures took us to Hentley Farm's Cellar Door in the Barossa Valley, Australia. Here we tasted wines by the names of The Beauty and The Beast.
It was a delightful autumn day when we arrived at Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield in the western Barossa Valley. This single estate boutique winery is listed as the 2015 Winery of the Year by James Halliday. Moreover, their winery restaurant was also named the best regional restaurant for 2013 and 2014.
When we arrived in the Seppeltsfield area, it took us sometime to locate the winery, but eventually we arrived at the winery's parking lot. When you travel down beautiful country roads it is easy to miss a sign. Eventually you realize and check your phone for directions.
We had planned to have lunch in the restaurant but it was completely booked.
Before heading to the cellar door we had a picnic lunch.
Hentley Farm Cellar Door
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| Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield © Spaswinefood |
When we arrived in the Seppeltsfield area, it took us sometime to locate the winery, but eventually we arrived at the winery's parking lot. When you travel down beautiful country roads it is easy to miss a sign. Eventually you realize and check your phone for directions.
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| Hentley Farm © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm Cellar Door & Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Entrance to Hentley Farm Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Hentley Farm Cellar Door
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| Hentley Farm Cellar Door © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm Winery of the Year © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting Hentley Farms Wines © Spaswinefood |
1. The Skinbone Grenache Rosé 2014
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| Hentley Farm, The Skinbone Grenache Rosé 2014 © Spaswinefood |
2. The Stray Mongrel 2014
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| Hentley Farm, The Stray Mongrel 2014 © Spaswinefood |
3. Zinfandel 2014
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| Hentley Farm, Zinfandel 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm, Zinfandel 2014 (Back Label) © Spaswinefood |
4. Shiraz 2014
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| Hentley Farm, Shiraz 2014 © Spaswinefood |
5. The Quinessential Shiraz Cabernet 2012
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| Hentley Farm, The Quinessential Shiraz Cabernet 2012 © Spaswinefood |
At the end of the tasting I tasted two amazing wines, The Beauty and The Beast.
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| Hentley Farm, The Beauty Shiraz 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm, The Beast Shiraz 2012 © Spaswinefood |
The Beauty "Grown on the coolest block on the property and co-fermented with a touch of Viognier, the Beauty displays complex lifted aromatics, along with the softness and subtlety befitting a wine of this name."
The Beast "Like the fabled character, the Beast is big and bold, yet has a beautiful soft side...
Selected from a single block high on the hill, where the soils are shallow and the sunlight is even, you can expect the Beast to exhibit great concentration of flavour and richness, with soft grippy tannins."
It was indeed an awesome tasting experience. The Beauty and The Beast are indeed outstanding wines with very fitting names. Hentley Farm uses sustainable practices in growing their Shiraz, Greanche, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Viognier grapes. Their premium wines come from single blocks on their 150 acre property. Their wines are available for purchase in the US.
After the wine tasting on the way out it was another opportunity to take in the views.
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| Hentley Farm Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Hentley Farm Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Tasting at Hentley Farm Cellar Door was a perfect way to experience the Barossa Valley Wine Region. It is wines like those from Hentley Farm that add to the wonderful diversity of wine styles throughout the valley. While in the Barossa Valley we explored the region’s towns, villages and hamlets, with their many culinary delights ranging from farmers markets to fine dining. Similarly you will find accommodations for every budget from student hostels and caravan parks to romantic country cottages, boutique hotels and more. Barossa Valley has so much to offer its visitors. It definitely rivals any top wine region in the world.
Getting to and from the Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley is located an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train. Adelaide, South Australia is served by domestic and international flights. Barossa also makes a perfect base for exploring the nearby areas: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Murray River.
Top on this wine adventurer's list to explore new wine regions and tasting wines like those at Hentley Farm's Cellar Door. There is so much to do and see in South Australia. I invite you to join me in my travels in South Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
April 2015
Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley
South Australia
© Spaswinefood
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