The Wine Blokes

Jono has been involved in the wine industry since he was quite young. His parents had a small vineyard and winery in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, and spent plenty of school holidays working in the vineyard and winery. He completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) from the University of Adelaide (formely the Roseworthy Agricultural College). He also holds a Post Graduate Degree in Business Management from Monash University. His wine industry experience include working as a winemaker for Petaluma in the Adelaide Hills under the legendary Brian Croser. He was then sent to Smithbrook in the Pemberton region of Western Australia, then owned by Petaluma. He spent 6 years at Smithbrook managing the vineyard and winery, and during that time also completed a vintage at Chateau Carsin in Bordeaux. The two years leading into 2008, he traveled the world with his partner sampling the worlds best wines, and also fulfilling his other passion of equestrian competition.

Peeralilla is aboriginal for beautiful which aptly describes the Peeralilla Hill vineyards nestled in the Hindmarsh Valley of the Southern Fleurieu, South Australia. The majestic Wedge Tail eagles constantly spiral off the ‘Hill’ creating an ambience in which to live, grow, produce and enjoy fine wine. This wine is produced on one of the oldest […]

Established in 1857, Brown Brothers has become synonomous with tradition and heritage of the family owned wine company in Australia.  Based at Milawa in the lower reaches of the King Valley in North Eastern Victoria, Brown Brothers produce a large portolio of wines, from zesty sharp whites to big block buster reds.
Alcohol: 14%
Blokes Notes: I’m a huge fan […]

The following video provides a brief insight into Spains wine regions as produced by the Travel Channel.  Spain is touted as the next big thing in the global wine industry. Check out why.
 
 

The Vinaria Milestii Mici Winery & Cellar in Moldova stretches for 250 kilometres (160 mi), of which only 120 kilometres (75 mi) are currently in use. The Mileştii Mici cellar complex is the largest in the world.
Overall, the complex holds nearly 2 million bottles. More than 70% of the stored wines are red, 20% are white and about 10% […]

The Chain of Ponds brand has been around since 1985 and have become one of Australias premiere botique producers. Located near Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills, it initally pitched its reputation on Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, along with traditional Italian varieties including Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. 
I have to admit that the Chain of Ponds […]

First it was Tescos ans Sainsbury’s in the UK, then Woolworths and Coles here in Australia. It seems that any retailer worth it’s salt wants to get a bit of the liquor action.  So it is no real suprise that the worlds largest online retailer, Amazon, also want a slice of the action.  It’s apparent that […]

One of the most frustrating things about exporting wine, among many, is the loss of control once your wine is in the hands of the shipping company.  I remember my dad getting a call from a wholesaler in Sweden after his wine turned up.  The wholesaler was furious at the state of the wine, and […]

2008 was extremely difficult for many wine grape growers in Australia. A vintage of two halves.  Some of the hottest and driest conditions on record came mid vintage in many parts of southern Australia. Any grower who still had fruit left on the vine must have had their heart in their mouth, and for good reason. Many […]

Alcohol: 13.5%
Blokes Notes: A little bit funky on the nose. Quite reduced but opened up nicely after a while. Mineral with floral type aromas, also a little bit of cut grass. On the palate the wine is quite lean and tight, but very nice melon and nutty tones, with delicate structure and really good length. […]

Nepenthe of the Adelaide Hills have been making some nice wines for a few years now, but really I think they have potential to do much greater things. They have fantastic vineyard resources, winemaking facilities, and staff, but somehow they haven’t yet seemed to produce wines that have that real “X” factor. 
I’ve always enjoyed their wines, but never come away […]