Tag: Australia Travel

Australia’s Best Kept Secret: The Wine World of Perth

Australia’s Best Kept Secret: The Wine World of Perth

by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I have found the buried treasure!

It happens to be in Perth, Western Australia. Seemingly absent on many world traveller’s bucket lists. Given the slow but steady global recognition, Perth has remained a one-of-a-kind, beach focused, culinary treasure dazzling along the Swan River. It never feels too crowded or diluted. Easy to use, clean and organized train lines can take you from the outstanding Indian Ocean coastline to the lively and towering CBD. The city sits three short hours (by car) away from one of the world’s most incredible wine region. Margaret River is the wine paradise of the world, producing some of my favourite wines. Find out where to go wine tasting in Margaret River here.

The isolation that claims to make it unreachable, instead allows for only travellers who are truly interested in the beauty and complexity of the city to make the trek. The distance travelled is repaid in endless sunshine, melt in your mouth toasties and nightly sunsets that produce colours I have never seen before. Having been to most of the world’s famed metropolitan cities, there is something special about a major city without all the chaos and speed. A city where you can head to the Cottesloe beach in the morning and sit on a rooftop bar overlooking the Swan River for happy hour.

While living in Perth, I made it my personal goal to try all the great wine lists in the city. In Perth, wine lists are taken very seriously. Wine connoisseurs are hidden among the masses but they are making their mark. The wine industry is growing rapidly and palates are evolving. Starting with the wine region and seeping into the city, the wine industry is innovating constantly. Every restaurant and wine bar that I have been to has customized glasses with a subtle yet aesthetic logo. I applaud the attention to detail. Wine in Perth is appreciated and celebrated. Every wine list has a beating heart and is curated with creativity and pride. The wine industry in Western Australia feels different. It feels inclusive and understated. 

Perth is special, there’s an energy and sophistication that reaches to the edges of the city. It’s a hidden treasure.  Thinking about visiting Perth? Or moving? Do it. I did not have one moment of regret while living there and I miss it every single day. Australia’s best kept secret. Only tell the people who will appreciate it! Part one of my adventure to try all the best wine lists in the city, below are my favourites right now. Happy sipping!

Petition Wine Merchant

Perth CBD
SHOTBYTHOM-2020-4343-2-e1591922587522Source: State Buildings

My favorite place in the Perth CBD? The State Buildings. Hands down. A historic landmark in the heart of Perth. The State Buildings collectively have 140 years of history. “Reimagined and revitalised,” the buildings were restored in 2015. Sitting on the throne of the buildings is the gorgeous COMO hotel. Within them resides some of the best restaurants and bars in Perth. Home of Petition, a group of individual venues that focus on producer relationships and unmatched quality.

There is nothing I love more than a wine bar with a wine shop. Not only do I love the simple elegance of wine covering the walls of the interior, but it’s a bookstore for wine lovers. At Petition Wine Bar & Merchant, you can look at all the labels and unique brands, figuring out their stories and flavor profiles. Explore wines you have every week and ones you’ve never heard of. Curated by Emma Farrelly, who is taking the wine world by storm and creating award wining wine lists and labels as she goes! Find a bottle that you can’t put down? Open it and enjoy it at one of their small tables in the bar. Small bites (& oysters!) available to have with the wine that you just selected from the shelves. It’s simple, but it is executed perfectly. Ambiance is difficult to find, but with Petition it feels so easy. Not in the mood for wine? Grab a beer or meal at the Petition Beer Corner or Petition Kitchen right down the hall!

Mayfair Lane

West Perth
RJP2929Source: Mayfair Lane

How much do you love London? Now close your eyes and imagine the feeling of being in London, but instead there is sunshine every day. You’re sitting on the patio at Mayfair Lane, a ten minute walk from the CBD. The sun is shining, the bar is packed and you are looking at a menu with bangers & mash AND Veuve Clicquot on it. One of my favourite spots in the Greater Perth area. Mayfair Lane is a “distinguished renegade built on the traditions of the Great British gastro pub & dining room.” Also translates to my heaven on earth.

The award winning wine list, curated by the one and only Foni Pollitt, features regions from all across the globe. A bible for wine lovers like me. Her personality and exquisite taste is found on every page. Foni is an internationally recognized wine expert with the spirit to keep the wine industry alive all by herself. She’s the best of the wine world and Mayfair Lane carries that recognition to the streets of Perth. Foni and her husband Chris Pollitt started Mayfair Lane in early 2016 and I am so thankful they did. Oh, and they have outstanding marketing. I couldn’t love this place more if I tried.

Lulu La Delizia

Subiaco
24-1400x0-c-defaultSource: Lulu La Delizia

Do you know the feeling when you’re falling in love? The feeling that makes you pause, breath in and forget about all of your troubles? That’s how you feel dining at Lulu La Delizia. Started by Chef Joel Valvasori-Pereza and nestled in the alleyways of Subiaco, you’ll find Lulu’s bustling from the early arvo to the late evening. You know you’ve found it when you spot black and white striped umbrellas in a welcoming courtyard that spills into the alley and an intimate dining room lined with delicate lace curtains. You’re under the impression that you’ve been invited to be a part of the family traditions of Joel Valvasori-Pereza and Luigia Valvasori, his Nonna, who the eatery and wine bar is named after. You’re transported into the heart of what makes Italian food and dining so incredible, with authentic yet simple dishes and incredible service. 

Lulu’s is one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I wish I went more when I was living in Perth. The extremely well versed and passionate wine program led by Alex Rogers is out of this world. He gives you subtle excellence with eclectic taste that highlights some of the best wines from Italy and Australia, with a few notable labels from other regions to complement the cuisine. To this day, my favorite Italian wines were poured for me at Lulu’s. Paired to perfection with the Chef’s menu that pushes the limits of what you knew about flavor and creativity in the kitchen.

Go for dinner, go for lunch. Go every day if you must. You’ll thank me later. One of my favorite profiles on Lulu’s by Young Gun Of Wine can be found here.

Young Gun Of Wine is championing the future of wine by focusing on young winemakers, exciting wine labels and must visit wine venues. Follow them, subscribe and thank me later.

What is your favourite wine list in the world? Big ask, I know. But come on, there has got to be one that comes to mind. 

Happy Sipping! 

This is just SBS! The beauty of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend

This is just SBS! The beauty of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend

by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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It really is just complete BS that I have never heard or tried a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend before I moved to Perth. The wine world NEEDS more of this balanced and bright wine with a touch of oak (no not you Chardonnay). These varietals seem to compliment each other so well, I can’t drink them by themselves anymore!

So where do they come from? What’s the SECRET?

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: Old World

Do you ever go to research something and find exactly what you were looking for? For example a timeline covering the complete history of the SBS blend from Wine Australia? Never usually happens to me, either. But here we are.

To go back further, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends originate from France (of course). According to Wine Searcher, both white varietals are predominant in the Graves district within the Bordeaux region of France. Both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon can also be used in dry and sweet wines. Usually involving botrytis, these varietals can be used to make Sauternes – also from Bordeaux. Sauternes are sweet dessert wines usually with strong honey notes and a gold colour.

The Bordeaux Region

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Source: Wikipedia

The Graves AOC is notable for red varietals and the blend of Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. The Bordeaux region has a temperate and Mediterranean climate, with maritime influence from it’s close proximity to the ocean. Sunlight during the day on the growing vines and cool nights to break up temperatures throughout the canopy make this region something very special.

The SBS blend is the modern twist on what used to be a classic white varietal blend from the region. Adapted to changes in the consumer palate and demand. White wine blends that are crisp, dry and fresh have become predominantly more popular among wine drinkers around the world.

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: New World

DO YOU KNOW WHO ELSE HAS THIS CLIMATE? The temperate and Mediterranean climate with ocean influence and ample sunshine? Margaret River, Western Australia. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends have erupted throughout the New World, gaining traction with unparalleled quality and popularity in Wine Paradise. The Australian sunshine ripens the grapes, yet ocean breezes in the afternoon cool the canopies down throughout the evening leaving natural acidity and powerful flavour accumulation.

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, separately, have been predominant white varietals in Australia throughout it’s winemaking history. According to Wine Australia, it was around 1831 that Semillon was introduced in the Hunter Valley and the early 1800s for Sauvignon Blanc. They also do not put the accent on Sémillon, which takes some getting used to. The Margaret River region was pioneered by Dr. Tom Cullity in 1967, after he studied the reports written from Harold Olmo, from the University of California Davis (!!!), describing the wine grape potential of the south-west region of Australia. Tom Cullity founded Vasse Felix (!!) and kickstarted the discovery of a region that has maintained a consistent climate year after year and is producing world renowned wines.

Described as “inherently complimentary” these two varieties can produce a blend of wine that takes the desirables from each varietal and creates the seamless fusion now nicknamed SBS (Wine Australia).

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: The Blend

Sauvignon Blanc is a white varietal with bright flavours, green grass and subtle tropical fruit notes. Semillon is also a white varietal with typically light/medium body, delicate honey notes and citrus. Together? Usually involves oak maturation, producing a medium bodied wine with the perfect array of tropical fruit, citrus and good acidity. The SBS blend is predominately Sauvignon Blanc whereas another popular interpretation is the SSB, predominantly Semillon.

It really is one of my favourite blends. As I have only ever had it from Margaret River, I would highly suggest any SBS from this Wine Paradise. All dynamically different but involve innovative and unique winemaking processes.

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What to try!

But I also have not had an SBS that I don’t like. Explore this incredible blend and support this special region, happy sipping!

 

 

 

Welcome to Wine Paradise: Cellar Door Guide to Margaret River

Welcome to Wine Paradise: Cellar Door Guide to Margaret River

by Wander For Wine ♥ 3 Comments

My love letter to Margaret River. Not to be dramatic but I did move across the entire world because I fell in love with this region. Sometimes you see photos, read interviews and taste wines and you firmly believe that you belong in that place. That a region is so special that as a traveller and wine lover, if you don’t go, you’ll never reach your full potential. This was my obsession with Margs and can I just say, it was everything I wanted it to be. From the Boranup forest, with thousands of karri trees towering over you with elegance and poise or the most beautiful coastline in the world with pantone swatch blues that clash with the pure white sand beaches. The wine, the people and the best farm to table food (& SEAFOOD) I have ever had! The perfect destination to add to your bucket list. 

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This region is the Southwestern most point of the Australian continent. It’s a cape that on the Northern end meets the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean at the other end, providing drastically different climates and coastlines from North to South. Formed millions of years ago when India and Australia collided, the cape has ancient soils that provide a region with so much biodiversity and potential. Known as a biodiversity “hotspot,” aka a wonder of the world for people like me. If I were a grape, I’d grow here too!

Why ‘Wine Paradise’?

With some of the most pristine grape growing conditions, maritime climate and warm Australia sunshine, this region provides grapes with idyllic conditions to grow. The isolation of the region provides unique terroir that is only found in Margaret River. The wines are cool climate but ripen to perfection. The best grape varietals from the region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay. Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends.

Fun fact: This region has never had an outbreak of phylloxera

Here are my favorite cellar doors on the cape! Wake up in the morning, walk on the beach and be drinking a wild ferment Chardonnay by noon. Is this heaven?

 

Vasse Felix

Cowaramup, Margaret River

#1 in my heart and #1 on this list too, of course. The founding wine estate of Margaret River provides the ultimate wine experience in Cowaramup. The most beautiful cellar door that I’ve ever tasted in, with wines that keep up the elegance & style. A feast for any interior designer, this modern log cabin-esque cellar door feels like it belongs seamlessly among the grape vines and marri trees surrounding it. It quietly sits within landscape without interrupting the natural motion of the region. They are in the process of becoming Certified Organic, already implementing organic processes in the vineyard and winery. The wines are magnificent and give you a taste of the history of the region. It also just so happens that the best restaurant in the region is also here. The food is created and developed to complement the wines and not vice versa. The wines are what lead Head Chef Brendan Pratt to discover new locally sourced dishes. The best of the best and worth the entire 22 hour flight from the States.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

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Vasse Felix

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Vasse Felix Restaurant

If you want to know more about my journey moving to Western Australia to work for Vasse Felix, find out more here!

 

Stormflower

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

From the wines to the cellar door, Stormflower executes minimalist and sustainable practices flawlessly. The woodwork in the cellar door is from a marri tree that fell down years ago. It’s homey and absolutely lovely. The Stormflower labels also happen to be my favorite in the region. They remind me of a fairytale. It’s a welcoming environment and the perfect place for a picnic. Right off Caves Road is this gorgeous oasis with easy drinking and Certified Organic wines. A must see!

Open daily, 11-5pm.

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Source: Stormflower

Marq Wines

Yallingup, Western Australia

A 10 minute drive from my favorite beaches in the world. Located under the trees and among the vines, the Marq Wines cellar door is inviting and one of the best in the region to grab a book, order a cheese platter and enjoy the serenity. I first had the ‘Wild Ferment’ (a wine that is not inoculated with yeast and is instead allowed to ferment using the wild yeast found on the grapes/in the winery) Chardonnay in Perth. Loved it so much I needed to meet it’s maker. With the most creative and eclectic wine list I have ever seen, Mark was there himself to talk me through the gorgeous wines on the list. I tried every single one of the varietals that I had never heard of before.

Vermentino (Sparkling and Still) – Native of Sardinia White Varietal

Fiano – Native to Southern Italy

Petit Manseng – Native to the Juracon in France

Yes, I bought a bottle of the Fiano and I am drinking it as I write this. It’s beautiful. It takes to the cool climate with such poise. It’s delicately floral with savory notes and balanced acidity.

Open Friday-Sunday, 10-5pm.

A website content shoot for Marq Wines new cellar door.
Source: Your Margaret River Region

Domaine Naturaliste

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

Nestled among the gorgeous vines of Wilyabrup, Domaine Naturaliste carries the name of one of the ships used by the French when mapping out the cape, called the Naturaliste. With a beautiful philosophy to winemaking and a gorgeous cellar door, this is one of the greats of the region. Winemaker, Bruce Dukes, aims to “leave the land in better health for the next generation.” Also – again with the labels! Get charcuterie and explore the history and future of winemaking in Margaret River.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

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Source: Domaine Naturaliste

Blind Corner

Quindalup, Western Australia

Drive through the vines to find the most iconic sign in the Margaret River region, a skate ramp and the most lovely spot for a picnic in all of Western Oz! I first tasted the Blind Corner Sauvignon Blanc from Wise Child wine shop in Perth. Love the label and love the wine more! With a gorgeous array of wines that give you a sense of immense creativity and personality behind the wines. AND HELLO PET NAT!! I’ve missed you! This cellar door feels like Margaret River wrapped up like a present with a bow on top. It’s cozy. bright and the wines are worth staying awhile. I left with a bottle of the Orange *as in the colour* wine that is a white blend, fermented wild on the skins to get the color and tannins. Find yourself a skater boy and enjoy a chilled Beaujolais Nouveau, LOVE.

Open daily, 10-4pm.

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& many many many more! Happy sipping and enjoy Paradise!

Wandering to Perth, Western Australia! American Working in the Australian Wine Industry

Wandering to Perth, Western Australia! American Working in the Australian Wine Industry

by Wander For Wine ♥ 4 Comments

I must really be taking this whole “wander” for wine thing seriously. Yesterday I wandered (with a job & visa) to one of the furthest wine destinations from my home. Say hello to Perth’s newest expat!! Australia is not all shiraz and sunshine! Western Australia is the home of some of the most noteworthy and consistent maritime climates in the world for wine. Vineyards in Margaret River, about three hours south of Perth on the southwestern coast represent the largest winemaking region in WA. Producing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and other classic Australian varietals.

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Source: The Western Australian

After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Viticulture & Enology, I had explored aspects of the wine industry that allowed me to chisel my own marble sculpture of a career that I ideally wanted. While loving the technical and hands on aspect of heading into the cellar, I found that my interests and passions in the industry were more focused on the marketing and business development side. If you can’t tell by now, I love wine. But what I love more is the experience that wine creates across generations and continents. It’s the universal language that can be easily understood and enjoyed without a translator. The experience that the wine industry provides for it’s consumers creates an achievable life of luxury with every bottle.

I started to explore jobs in California and New York within the business side of the industry. What I found was different strong holds in both regions.

New York: Small concentration of production, massive distribution and import job opportunities, many sales jobs in Manhattan.

Los Angeles: Large quantity of production jobs, sales jobs with large wine distributors and many wine service jobs.

I was applying and interviewing and found that I was turning down opportunities because they didn’t feel like the stepping stone I was looking for. So I looked further (apparently as far as possible).

I’ve been in LOVE with Vasse Felix in Margaret River ever since I started my education in wine. They embody traditional winemaking while targeting a global audience. With impeccable marketing strategy, a vineyard in one of the most beautiful places on earth and an international mindset, they have pioneered a small part of the world into the hearts and cellars of wine drinkers around the world. They are sharing wine paradise with the world, and I AM SOLD.

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Vasse Felix Estate. Source: Winedering

Starting November 1st (ha yes, the one tomorrow) I will be starting a six month internship in the Sales and Marketing department of Vasse Felix based in Perth, WA. It’s not common for companies in Australia to offer internships, but based on the visa options, it works out the best for this position. The work holiday visa only allows you to work for the same company for 6 months of the 12 month visa. Extending your visa includes farm work or company sponsorship.

Vasse Felix was not hiring or looking for a UCD grad living in Los Angeles, but I bought Linkedin premium and started reaching out to the company in February. I wasn’t (consciously) looking for a job, but I wanted to understand the company and get advice on how to navigate the business side of wine. It took about six months to finalize an offer and LOTS of follow up emails, but I knew from the first Skype call that I wanted Vasse Felix to be the Mr. Miagi of my Karate Kid career.

Lesson? Sometimes looking for a job is extremely daunting and seeing that you are 1 applicant among 49 on Linkedin doesn’t feel promising. How I’ve found the most important career stepping stones has actually been dissecting the process and finding the company first. Find a company that excites you and creates a brand/strategy that embodies the way you visualize success. The wine industry is different, I have found extremely helpful and kind people who want to give me advice and referrals. But I would never have bought my one way ticket to Perth if I hadn’t bought Linkedin Premium (since canceled because my god it’s expensive!!!) and decided to put myself out there. 

I’ve been drinking my fair share of California & Washington wines in order to get my fix before the move. No Trader Joe’s deals for six months, I’ll survive right?

After doing all of this research and the information I have learned through networking, working in the wine industry is a huge draw for US Citizens moving to Australia. If you are looking for a harvest or cellar job, I would recommend looking at these websites, Wine Jobs Australia, Wine Industry Jobs, Wine Jobs, and more!! But the best way to get connected is through the people who have already worked or done harvest there. The wine community in Australia is hired almost predominately through word of mouth or referrals. Keep your friends close and your harvest coworkers closer, because they may just know someone from Oz.

I’m absolutely terrified but there is nothing I wanted more than to work for this company and explore the world. Ask and you shall receive apparently. Stay tuned for my big move DOWN UNDER!!! Cue Men at Work.

Cheers and Happy Sipping!