Sixty Second Swirl
by Brent Lello, Yass Valley Times Wine Columnist
Marsanne and Roussanne are white grape varieties native to the Northern Rhone Valley region in France and when combined, serve up a wine that is texturally complex while lusciously delicious and super food friendly. This blend is not commonly found in the Yass Valley region, but this week’s “Swirl” – the Surveyors Hill Roussanne Marsanne 2019 – is a great example of this style being done right and worth seeking out. Take a trip down Wallaroo Road to the ‘Hills of Hall’ to find them.
The wine is a pale but bright gold colour in the glass. A swirl invites aromas of freshly cut ripe pear, yellow peach and apricot with a minerally waft of wet slate on a summer’s day. The palate is rich and full, with peach and apricot flavours. There’s lively acid that leads to a long and lingering finish. This wine is a rare bird blend for the Yass Valley region and a very satisfying drop.
We enjoyed our bottle with an American BBQ-inspired grilled chicken breast on a tangy salad but would go fantastically with the Sunday roast chicken or a seafood mornay dish. I sourced my bottle from the great local wine range at the “Hops & Vine” store in the Hall village, but you can also buy online for $25.
Surveyors Hill Vineyards
Our Wine
Small quantities of wine are produced from grapes grown in our vineyards. Most of the vines are 30+ years old. All are hand-pruned, and the grapes hand-picked. Table and dessert wines are made by Brian Sinclair at Brindabella Hills Winery, one kilometre down the road, and our sparkling wines by Greg Gallagher up the road to Murrumbateman. The wines are well made, reasonably priced, and have very low carbon mileage. They express the place and the seasons. They are true locals, available at the cellar door, through the online shop on the website, and at a number of restaurants and retail outlets around Canberra.
Tastings
Tastings at our cellar door are primarily free of charge. However, there may be a tasting fee for groups, depending on their size, refundable on the purchase of wine. Therefore, we recommend that patrons for wine tasting only (excluding dining) make a booking and preferably come before 12 or after 3 when fewer diners are in our space, and you can taste with greater comfort.
Accommodation
Country air, views, comfortable, spacious accommodation and on-site catering – just 25 minutes from the centre of Canberra. Breakfast and evening meals are available on request; lunch at the weekends.
Complimentary bottle of wine with each booking.
To make a booking, ring, email, or use the contact form on our website www.surveyorshill.com.au
