Pyrenees/Ballarat

Blue Pyrenees Estate

Star Cellar Door

Blue Pyrenees Estate chief winemaker Andrew Koerner has the distinction of producing one of Australia’s most persistently bubbly bubblies. His 2009 Midnight Cuvée was recorded by Melbourne University students as continuing to shoot sheets of nano-bubbles in a wine glass for more than one hour after being poured. The astonishing feat, delivering thousands of scent-filled aroma compounds, is testament to more than a decade’s worth of refinement both in the vineyard and winery. One of his improvements is something he calls “happier” or “no stress” ferments.

Apparently, happy ferments produce lower volatile acidity (volatile acidity is considered a fault) and promote delicacy and freshness. Koerner is at the top of his game, an achievement rewarded with the chardonnay-led 2010 Midnight Cuvée being named Best Australian Sparkling at the Sparkling Wine World Championship in London in 2014. His sparkling wines, including a smart, dry-style sparkling shiraz, should be the first tasting stop at the Blue Pyrenees cellar door. In fact, the entire portfolio deserves your attention, from the strong line-up of sparklings through to the Richardson Cabernet Sauvignon (named in honour of the late, great Victorian wine man, Colin Richardson) and the Section One Shiraz blend. Stay for lunch at Café Blue – indoors or alfresco – or play a game of petanque on the lawn. JENI PORT

OUTSTANDING WINE: 2013 Blue Pyrenees Estate Midnight Cuvée, A$35