The Hills are alive with the taste of Geoff Hardy

Lloyd Green
Jul 22, 2016
3 min read

Our next Drift Dining and Bar ‘Decanted’ wine adventure takes us back to South Australia. You may be thinking, “Hey, didn’t you guys just do a whole segment on the Barossa Valley? Why another South Australia piece?” Well, good question.

Wines from South Australia are so unique, and the climates of each area — some just 30 kilometres apart — so different, that no one wine growing region is the same. In fact, the variations can be so drastic you would question whether they are from the same state, let alone the same country.

South Australian wines rose to prominence in the 1990s largely in part to warmer wine growing regions like the Barossa Valley that harboured powerful full-bodied, fruit-driven flavours — something quite distinct from old world varieties in Europe.

Away from the spotlight, however, was the evolution of equally delicious, cooler climate wines of great finesse, depth and complexity similar to that of the northern hemisphere. Think the Adelaide Hills.

Adding more depth to Australia’s wine arsenal was the emergence of prominent coastal wine growing regions that maintained exposure to the harsh Australian sun but were softened by the proximity of the cool ocean breeze. Products from McLaren Vale are such an example.

The result is a combination of terroirs that has positioned South Australian wines among the very best in the world. This week Drift Dining and Bar invites leading South Australian producer Wines by Geoff Hardy to share their collection.

Tasting Menu:

GMH Family Selection White 2013
GHM Meritage White 2015
GHM Meritage Red 2013
K1 Middle Hill Shiraz 2013
K1 Geoff Hardy Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Headlining our Decanted wine tasting menu will be Geoff Hardy’s K1 varieties from the Adelaide Hills. The Adelaide Hills region is part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, 40 minutes east of Adelaide.

Wines here have become internationally recognised as the combination of cooler climates with ancient soils has produced balanced crops, good berry size and fine, complex flavours.

In 1986, Geoff Hardy acquired his first plot of land in this region — a commercially untested area called Kuitpo, halfway between Geoff Hardy headquarters in McLaren Vale and the heart of Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker.

His aim was to produce outstanding, cool climate grapes.

K1 wines are now considered some of Australia’s finest premium, single estate wines, showcasing brilliant Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon types that have more elegant aromas and flavours than neighbouring varieties from Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

The Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon on show next Friday, for example, is described as having “aromas of eucalyptus, dark bramble berries, black cherry and violets” complemented by “intense blackcurrant and cherry on the palate”.

Delicious!

And if you want more proof, in 2012 and 2014 Winestate Magazine named K1 and Wines by Geoff Hardy as its Australian Winery of the Year and leading Australian wine critic James Halliday rated Wines by Geoff Hardy as a 5 red star winery, a top rating only awarded to 10 per cent of wineries in his Wine Companion.

So, if you are ready to divulge in more great South Australian wine join us for another spectacular wine tasting evening at Drift Dining and Bar.

Guests at Decanted will be invited to share in the experience of “amazing wine and amazing people” with Drift Dining and Bar managing director and professional sommelier, Robert Gilliland and Wines by Geoff Hardy representative Richard Dolan, Managing Director, who will guide you on this amazing journey.

We will also have an array of light bites and canapés on show to accompany your wine tasting experience. Don't forget, you can purchase these amazing Geoff Hardy wines at better than retail price on the night.

For more information on Wines by Geoff Hardy or to reserve your table contact events@driftdining.com or call 0321102079.

Pay in advance by Friday, July 22 to receive the early bird price of RM95++ or full price of RM115++ after that. Lock it in now as Friday night is sure to be sold out.