Adelaide Hills

The new Brokenwood cellar door is truly of ‘star’ status. It’s imposing but gracious at the same time with clean lines, natural timber surfaces and lots of glass. It has circular tasting pods, private tasting spaces and dining rooms with expansive views of the working winery and the vineyards. Brokenwood’s el supremo, Iain Riggs, is like a kid with a new toy with an app on his phone that controls the new cellar door’s eight sound zones.

Adding clout to the new venue is the scrumptious food provided by Janet and Andrew Wright (ex The Cellar Restaurant) with their casual Cru Bar + Pantry and more upscale, The Wood Restaurant. The new facility is a big drawcard but the Brokenwood wines remain the focus with winemaker Stuart Hordern’s in-tune Hunter wines mingling with his excellent Beechworth offerings and expanding range of wines from other NSW regions. PETER BOURNE

OUTSTANDING WINE: Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, A$255