A wine tour with a difference
Want to do some good for the world just by pouring yourself a glass of premium wine?
Six acclaimed Langhorne Creek wineries have joined forces to give you the chance to protect some of the world’s most threatened animal species – all you have to do is stock your wine rack.
The Grapes for Good initiative partners the conservation legends at Zoos SA with wineries Kimbolton Wines, Bleasdale, Bremerton, Lake Breeze, The Winehouse and Vineyard Road to offer a selection of incredible wines for a worthy cause.
Part proceeds from each specially selected and limited edition wine goes towards supporting Zoos SA’s conservation mission – work that’s so important given more than 70% of species at the Monarto Safari Park are threatened with extinction in the wild.
So, if you want to sip your way towards saving some species and explore Langhorne Creek’s best wineries, hit the road and check out the participating cellar doors below.
1. Kimbolton Wines
Just last year Kimbolton Wines director Nicole Clark kicked off the Grapes for Good initiative by approaching Zoos SA about a charity partnership.
Their ‘Cheetah Wine’ – a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon – went on to raise much-needed funds for vital cheetah conservation projects. (This wine is still available – which means you can do double the good when stocking up at the Kimbolton cellar door.)
This time around Kimbolton Wines is also offering a Fiano – an ancient Italian varietal that’s well-suited to Langhorne Creek’s growing conditions (and absolutely delicious). Sales from this wine will support giraffe conservation.
Why not make like a giraffe and get a top-level view of the stunning vineyard setting at Kimbolton Wine’s cellar door? Their rooftop platform is the perfect spot to indulge in a tasting and gourmet platter while you soak up the amazing scenery.
2. Bleasdale
Langhorne Creek’s oldest winery – at an impressive 170 years young – needs no introduction. Chances are you’ll have already heard about their impressive reds, like the iconic Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon.
It’s a wine that will please the palate of any red connoisseur – and this year it’s helping safeguard the future of the African Plains’ own icon – the zebra.
While you’re rounding up a bottle (or several) of this superstar, make sure you ask at the cellar door about Bleasdale’s impressive history. There’s the century-old mulberry tree, which gives the wine its name, and the old redgum press that was built way back in 1892 and still used for pressing grapes into the 1960s.
3. Bremerton
Over the past year Bremerton has leapt into the wine-lovers’ spotlight with their new – and super impressive – cellar door development. Now they’re helping the adorable Ring-tailed Lemur stay one leap ahead of extinction.
Bremerton’s Mollie and Merle Verdelho joins Grapes for Good to raise funds to protect the Lemur from its biggest threats of habitat loss and poaching – giving you the perfect excuse to head down and see their new cellar door for yourself.
With an onsite restaurant offering baked brie, mouth-watering Mediterranean platters and a smorgasbord of pizzas, we highly recommend timing this visit for lunch. (And possibly a gin flight tasting as well!)
4. Lake Breeze
One of the tragedies of species loss is the decline of animals many of us haven’t even heard of or had the chance to see up close. The Bongo – a beautiful striped and horned herbivore (a little like a large deer) – is at significant risk with less than 100 of its kind estimated to be left in the wild.
So, with that in mind, pouring out a glass of Lake Breeze’s Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet knowing that you’re helping save the Bongo should make it even tastier.
With Lake Breeze last year named Halliday’s Best Value Winery of the Year, and with winemaker Greg Follett recently shortlisted as Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year this year, it’s definitely worth the trip to find the Bernoota in its native habitat at the Lake Breeze cellar door.
5. The Winehouse
Wine label Gipsie Jack is one of a pack of regulars that call The Winehouse home (alongside Ben Potts Wines, Heartland, Meechi Brewing Co and John’s Blend). It’s also named after winemaker John Glaetzer’s Jack Russell Gipsie.
So the Gipsie Jack Dolcetto Rose is the perfect fundraiser for the African Painted Dog. It’s also ideal for drinking with friends – just like The Winehouse is favourite spot for groups to get together, relax, celebrate and enjoy fantastic food, wine and company.
6. Vineyard Road
The Meerkat is one of the animal kingdom’s most sociable, loveable and slightly cheeky treasures – a bit like the team at Vineyard Road.
The Vineyard Road Shiraz will support one of Monarto Safari Park’s smallest attractions, while also delivering a full-flavoured palate.
This is a wine you’ll want to collect in person so you can be treated like one of the family by the Vineyard Road team – and enjoy one of their wine and chocolate pairing experiences, sample the Vasse Virgin Natural Skincare range or discover more for your home cellar in a personalised tasting experience.
Find out more info here.