Now that we’re well and truly into spring, you might be looking for new activities to fill up your weekends and enjoy the sunshine. With a host of new and unique experiences on offer this spring, there’s no better time to visit Tahbilk Estate – no matter if you’re a returning visitor or if you’ve never been before!
Located in Nagambie Lakes, just under two hours’ drive from Melbourne, Tahbilk Estate is named for the tahbilk-tabilk wetlands in and around the property, on the traditional lands of the Taungurung people. Tabilk-tabilk means 'place of many waterholes' – an apt name for the stunning landscape, which is abundant with waterways and bird life.
If bike riding is your thing, spring is the perfect time to explore the natural beauty of the wetlands. You can bring your own bike or hire a bike and helmet from the Tahbilk cellar door (both adult and smaller kids’ bikes are available), grab a map and traverse the wetland trails. Or, if the slower approach is more your style, you can hop on board the Tahbilk Eco Cruise and enjoy a bottle of Tahbilk wine with a cheese box as you take in the surrounds.
“The boat captain knows the history of the wetlands like the back of their hand and will share with you the journey we have taken to preserve this incredible landscape,” says Jo Nash, chief winemaker and general manager of Tahbilk. Along the way you’ll also spot the pelicans, swans and sea eagles that call this area home.
After your bike ride or wetlands cruise, you’ll likely be getting peckish, which is the perfect time to join chief groundsman Travis McCarty for a guided tour of the historic gardens, followed by a delicious two-course lunch and wine at the Tahbilk Estate Restaurant. The tour is only available on three select Saturdays (October 12, November 23 and December 7) so get in quick!
If you’re not visiting on those days though, you can still enjoy lunch on the deck overlooking the picturesque wetlands. The Tahbilk Estate Restaurant’s menu is made to complement the Tahbilk wines, with the chef sourcing seasonal produce from local suppliers.
Then to cap off the day you can either enjoy a tasting in the cellar door, with a tour of the historic underground cellars, or Jo Nash recommends trying your hand at creating your own wine. Guided by an expert wine ambassador in the Len Evans Museum, you’ll learn how to taste wine like a winemaker before blending different varieties to create your own signature red wine to bottle and take home.
Out in the vineyard, spring is a crucial time for the team at Tahbilk.The arrival of spring brings with it 'budburst', whereby the wines wake from winter dormancy to begin a new growing season. Jo Nash says, “Spring is the ideal time to plant other crops between vineyard rows, creating a symbiotic living ecosystem that brings life to the vineyard.”
If you can’t visit Tahbilk this spring, you can taste the fruit of their labours with the wines below. Or, you can stop by in a different context. Tahbilk now hosts conferences and weddings on the Estate grounds, in the cellar door, museum and Estate Restaurant.
For more, visit tahbilk.com.au.
Tahbilk wines to try this spring:
2016 Tahbilk 1927 Vines Marsanne
Displaying all the elements of the remarkable pedigree of our 1927 Vines Marsanne releases, this 2016 vintage brings penetrating straw, ginger spice and citrus fruit aromas to a still-evolving palate of nashi pear, grapefruit and honeysuckle notes. An energetic mineral acidity graces a clean and steely finish and will provide the supportive framework for greater complexity to come with extended cellaring.Best enjoyed: As it ages, the full-bodied character lends itself well to richer and deeper flavoured white meats and seafood curries and stews. Serve cool, 10–13 degrees.
H. Why do you love this wine?
Jo Nash: This is one of Tahbilk’s most iconic wines. These limited-release wines are produced from the Estate’s 1927 planted marsanne vines – of which Tahbilk has some of the oldest vines and largest single holdings in the world.
RRP $44.95 | Drink to 2045+ | Shop this wine
2024 Tahbilk Marsanne
From a vintage that delivered very good to outstanding wines, the fruit intensity of our 2024 Marsanne is signature to this unique estate varietal. Lifted citrus and tropical fruits are framed by a bright minerality with delicious toast and honeysuckle richness undoubtedly coming with age...if you have the willpower to resist its absolute enjoyment right now.Best enjoyed: As a young wine, marsanne is very much a 'universal-soldier' when it comes to food matches but certainly light Mediterranean and Asian dishes would be well up that list.
H. Why do you love this wine?
Jo Nash: Tahbilk marsanne has a dedicated global following due to its thrilling character and appeal as a young wine with intense lemon, citrus and tropical fruits on a crisp, mineral-edged finish. Its proven ability to develop added complexity and character if cellared, when rich honeysuckle and citrus marmalade characters come to the fore, has led to the Purbrick family to set aside small quantities of each vintage to be made available when bottle-aged.
RRP $21.95 | Drink to 2034 | Shop this wine
2021 Tahbilk Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre
From the stellar rated 2021 vintage, a close to equal blend of all three component varietals – grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre – allows each to very ably bring its own character to the mix. From its bright and savoury red berry and cherry grenache qualities, to pepper, spice and plummy shiraz fruits and mourvèdre’s fleshy, floral and dried herb notes, delicious enjoyment is at hand.Best enjoyed: Pair this wine with a variety of hard cheeses, such as aged cheddar or parmesan. This wine is an excellent choice to pair with grilled or barbecued meats, particularly those with a spicy or smoky flavour.
H. Why do you love this wine?
Jo Nash: Tahbilk can trace its history with the varieties that make up this blend back to 1860 and estate shiraz vines that still survive today. In more recent times, these elder statesmen plantings have been joined by grenache and mourvédre, providing the synergistic opportunity to produce an estate interpretation of the classic French Rhône Valley blending of the three. A lighter red, ideal for the spring and warmer months.
RRP $28.95 | Drink to 2029 | Shop this wine
