PERCHED above Brisbane, with views to the Sunshine Coast, sits one of Queensland's unexpected gems.
Oceanview Estate Winery has the day-tripping market from Brisbane at its doorstep, so it's only a matter of time before it is swamped by locals discovering the wine and the views.
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| Thomas Honnef in the OVE barrel room. |
Sea breezes make their way to OVE from their long ocean views, breezes that drop some much-needed moisture on the vines of owners Thomas and Kate Honnef.
Still, moisture in Queensland means mould, and in vineyards it can mean bortrytis.
Thomas Honnef's solution is to grow thicker skinned grapes, viognier and ruby cabernet, grapes that also produce intriguing wines well suited to Australian summers.
In the name of dedicated research, I’ve tried their 2012 Viognier, the 2012 Summer Ruby, and the Sparkling Reflections.
Drink This
The 2012 Viognier is an aromatic and crisp wine that calls out summertime drinking. Leaves were stripped off the vines to allow the UV light through to the green grape berries.
That toughens up the skin, providing resistance to bortrytis and some necessary armour for survival in Queensland.
And that also changes the wine. Oceanview Estate grapes make aromatic, fruit driven wine, with a white peach tone to it. The wine is crisp, with a good balance of acidity that allows the fruit character to sit up and tickle your tongue.
If you're looking for a white wine for imbibing with friends this summer, on a veranda or with a light meal, try it out.
And Drink This
The Ruby Cabernet, called the Summer Ruby, had the skins taken out of the mix early in the crushing process, so there is less tannin. There is no barrel life for the wine either, which means it retains a fruit character instead of an oaky one.
The result? A win that’s lighter on the mouth that a hit of helium from a balloon.
"You can make an awesome shiraz in McLarenVale, but I'm not going to make shiraz like that,” said Thomas Honnef.
“But to make something like [Summer Ruby], that the public really love ..."
The result is a distinctly Australian wine that matches any meaty offering that graces your barbeque.
These are good value wines from a place that gives you a great winery experience. If you have a free afternoon in BrisVegas, make your way up the mountain and enjoy the scenery and the wine.
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