Eldorado Road
Star Cellar Door
(03) 5725 1698
eldoradoroad.com.au
The Eldorado Road cellar door has been a while coming. That’s what happens when you have a day job and a private passion both requiring your time. But the long-awaited day has finally arrived.
Paul Dahlenburg is winemaker at Bailey’s of Glenrowan, but down the road at Eldorado he and his wife, Lauretta Schulz, have leased land and spent years bringing a two-hectare block of shiraz planted in the 1890s back from the brink. The vines were in a perilous state, but their resurrection has resulted in some beautifully complex shiraz being released under the Eldorado Road label.
Their first durif was from the 2015 vintage, surprising many with its charm and elegance. Dahlenburg went looking for the best available durif planting material and, luckily, was allowed to access wood from the top durif block at Stanton & Killeen, which required him to establish his own propagation nursery. “This process delayed our establishment, but we are so glad we took the time to do the absolute best we can,” explains Dahlenburg, who excels in attention to detail. Next to the durif is planted nero d’avola: quite an eclectic little bunch of grapes.
Visitors to Beechworth need only take a stroll down Ford Street to find the Eldorado Road cellar door/cantina, open from Friday to Sunday. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and vinyl. JENI PORT
OUTSTANDING WINE: 2015 Eldorado Road Comrade Nero d’Avola, A$35