News & Views

1. Kuitpo Continuous Picnic
   Sunday, June 10th - June Long Weekend.
   
   The key to a good party is good music, food, great wines and a family atmosphere. All of the KCP venues offer this. 
   
   

   

   
   At Lazy B this year we have music by Heath Cullen (NSW) and his special guest band, we have indian food by our friend Arbind with the wine and atmosphere you have come to know us for.
   
   

   

   

   If you would like more information you can ring Patricia on (08) 85567 085. 
   
   The other venues hosting are Magpie Springs, Brakenwood and K1 by Geoff Hardy. 
   
   Please click on the photos left and right for more information about their food, drink and entertainment.

   
2. Rock and roll ain't noise pollution.

   We were very pleased to have Underground Orchid play for our guests last weekend.

   

   Our next live music event is on Sunday the 10th of June. Hope to see you there.

   
3. Names - McLaren Vale History - Part 5
   Originally the area which we now call the McLaren Vale Wine Region had many different names, one for each of the hamlets or groupings of farms that were settled in the 1800 and 1900’s. Overtime these names have been swallowed up into the towns we now call McLaren Vale, McLaren Flat and Willunga, but for those with a sense of history they live on if you look closely.
   

   
   

   
   

   View McLaren Vale Historic Names in a larger map

   
   

   What is in a name? Click on the map to find out more.

   
   One hamlet has survived with its own postcode almost into the present day. Landcross Farm, which is uniquely 5170, centered on and named after the farm property which has been rejuvenated by Paxton Wines.
   
   A few of the original settlement names have been merged into common postcodes but survived as map or service addresses. Whites Valley and Willunga South, which are both part of the Willunga postcode 5172, live on as utility addresses. Tatachilla also remains in common usage both as an address, winery brand and school, despite being swallowed by the McLaren Vale.
   
   Some names live on as business names, Hillside formerly near McLaren Flat , lives on as Hillside Haulage the Sullivan families freight business. Taranga, which was the southern section of a farm established by William and Elizabeth Oliver when they settled in 1841, lives on in several business and property names.
   
   Others names have fallen out of general use and remain as property names, like Bethany or Beltunga. Some have fallen out of usage entirely like Gloucester.
   
   Why this happened makes an interesting story.
   
   The first amalgamation of names was due to a natural increase in population. As settlers arrived in the area hamlets merged together to form towns.
   
   Originally the region was survey in 1839 by a party led by John McLaren. McLaren was appointed as Senior Surveyor was given the task of surveying the southern districts of Adelaide. McLaren divided up the south of Adelaide into three districts - B, C and D to be released to the settlers in stages. Section C included all the land south of the Onkaparinga River to Willunga Hill as was released from 1840.
   
   McLaren Vale was the general name for the wide valley south of the Onkaparinga Gorge. The township of McLaren Vale originally consisted of 2 small villages; Gloucester, a triangle between the Salopean Inn and Kangrilla road, established in 1851 and Bellevue, where The Barn and Limeburners stand, established in 1854.
   
   Both small towns had a unique character. In 1841 two of the early settlers were Devonshire farmers, William Colton and Charles Hewitt. The farmers bought workmen with them and established neighbouring farms, Daringa and Oxenberry Farm. These farms formed the nucleus of the hamlet Gloucester. Daringa and Oxenberry live on as cellar doors on Kangarilla Rd.
   
   Bellevue, to the north, began on land purchased by Richard Bell at settlement who built a little colony of thatched pug houses. He also built a hotel in 1857 and named it the Clifton in honour of his wife, nee Clift. Ellen Street also bore her name until recent years, but is now retitled as part of Chalk Hill Road. Ellen Street lives on as a wine made by Mark Maxwell. The Clifton Hotel is the Hotel McLaren.
   
   The Gloucester and Bellevue towns grew together so that by 1923 McLaren Vale was gazetted by the Lands Office as a private town. In that year Mr CE Pridmore, situated half way between Bellevue and Gloucester at Sylvan Park, applied for a transfer of the portion of section 156 in the township McLaren Vale. All previous transactions for that locality were designated as in the township of Gloucester in the McLaren Vale (or Valley).
   
   Approximately 4 kilometres to the southeast of these towns in the McLaren Vale was Wesleyan chapel was opened in 1854 and was given the name Bethany Chapel. Other cottages were established which gave rise to Bethany the hamlet. Later Bethany was also home to the first illuminated tennis courts which can still be seen on McMurtrie Road.
   
   I have always assumed Wirra Wirra’s Church Block wine is named after the chapel as Wirra Wirra's vineyards sit directly opposite.
   
   North of Bethany is the town of McLaren Flat. McLaren Flat had the satellite villages, or hamlets, Hillside which was located west towards Kangarilla and Beltunga, to the north whose houses were mostly built at the instigation of Richard Bell, founder of Bellevue.
   
   Blewitt Springs was further north and consisted of a series of sandy ridges linked by roads that ran in between. It has maintained its ‘independence’ on maps and as a street address although shares McLaren Flat’s telephone exchange and the greater 5171 postcode.
   
   

   Bush Grenache vines at Paxton Wines - Landcross Farm.

   Traveling back towards the McLaren Vale township was known as Seaview. Sir Samuel Way’s 1870’s farm called Sea View lent its name to a Seaview hamlet complete with a chapel built in 1880’s, now the cellar door for Chapel Hill Wines. Sir Samuel in turn lent his name to Justin McNamee’s Samuels Gorge winery now based in the former Sea View blacksmith’s and olive press house.
   
   Along the road back down the hill to the McLaren Townships, George Manning established Hope Farm in 1851, which was turned into a winery over the years. The winery was renamed Seaview in 1951 by its new owners, Mr Edwards and Chaffey. The names Seaview and Edwards & Chaffey live on a wine brands.
   
   Around the town of Willunga were Willunga South where the slate mines were grouped and Whites Valley which lay on the direct road to Port Willunga to the north of Aldinga. The Whites Valley village was centered on Adey Rd, Aldinga Rd and Little Rd. Several historic building remain. Some have been restored while some of the farm houses and mills have fallen into ruin.
   
   

   Olivers Taranga in the 1990's.

   I have been told that the Sellicks Hills, part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, which stare down on Whites Valley were once known as the Front Hills, and are marked as such on some old maps. I haven’t seen these, but I believe it possible this name was then corrupted to be called foothills. Foothills are dryly defined as gradual increases in hilly areas at the base of a mountain range.
   
   We get the sub-regional name Sellicks Foothills from this, but Front Hills has a ring to it in my opinion and might warrant a comeback.
   
   Postcodes were introduced in Australia in 1967 by the Postmaster-General's Department (PMG), the predecessor of Australia Post. At this point many of the smaller regional names were swallowed up. Landcross Farm survived with a fresh postcode but Tatachilla, McLaren Flat, Blewitt Springs, and remnants Hillside, Beltunga and Bethany were all merged into McLaren Vale 5171. Willunga 5172 took over Willunga South and Whites Valley. Willunga Post Office also had responsibilities for Hope Forest, The Range, Dingabledinga, Montarra (where Lazy Ballerina the cellar door is located across from the southern tip of Kuitpo Forest) and Kuitpo.
   
   What is in a name? A lot of the history of this region.
   
    Wine Fight Club June 09
   
   If you know more to these stories please comment below. It is worthwhile checking out Oliver Taranga's Cellar Door to see their old map of the region. Also the main source for this article is the great book - McLaren Vale: Sea and Vines - Barbara Santich.

   
4. Sustainable Farming - Now, Now, Now.
   
   Could the McLaren Vale region be one big sustainable food basket?
   
   
   

   Standard farming practice c. 1970.

   With the launch of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, James Hook argues the answer has to be yes.  
   
   If McLaren Vale has a future as a farming region it must embrace sustainable farming.
   
   The recently launched Sustainable Winegrowing Australia programme gives the region a vehicle to do just that.
   
   Why? We needs to produce products that attract premium prices to be financially sustainable. Why? Farming needs to act as a steward for the region and protect the area from the perils of urbanization. 
   
   The widespread adoption sustainable, high quality farming taking the best from organic and/or biodynamic techniques will maintain the vitality of the region and give McLaren Vale producers a sustained competitive advantage in their winemaking. This will allow higher prices for grapes which increases the value of the land, which decreases the pressure to put in housing.
   
   I feel the way to do this is to adopt sustainable farming as a code of practice for the whole district, as an industry and as a community to challenge ourselves and reap the benefits.
   
   Reduced demand, lower wine grape prices and diminishing profit margins mean production of high quality fruit in McLaren Vale has become vital for winegrowers. For ill or good the strength and growth in the wine industry has greatly contributed to the region. The future of the grape growing and winemaking and the future of the area are intertwined. At present there is an oversupply of C grade fruit in the region, fruit that is made into wine in the $10-15 dollar per bottle range. There is high demand for A grade fruit which produces wine above $25 per bottle. It is at these quality levels that the majority of viticultural businesses need to be producing to be profitable. Conventional agriculture has not given us that with much of our fruit falling below the top grades. 
   
   

   The McLaren Vale Sustainable Winegrowing Australia launch, held at the Bocce Club, was a huge success with more than 100 grapegrowers in attendance.

   
   What we describe as conventional agriculture is a recent trend. With the appearance of cheap mineral fertilisers and pesticides in the early 1950s, farmers quickly abandoned traditional or organic methods of farming and became heavily dependent on both agrochemicals and labour-saving machinery. Farmers discontinued organic methods not because they did not work but because they could not compete with the new type of agriculture.
   
   Accepted practice viewed organic farming as inefficient. The race was to grow the most, not to grow in the most sustainable way. Grape growers received similar prices whether they grew 5 tonnes to the hectare or 15 tonnes. The emphasis was big is better. In spite of this, organic farming was pioneered because many local growers looked for ways to reduce the amount of fertilisers and pesticides they were using.
   
   

   Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale.

   
   Enter the modern concept of sustainable farming. Not a return to the past, rather a marriage of scientific advances with traditional practices.
   
   In the McLaren Vale wine industry, Battle of Bosworth, Rino and Greta Ozzella at Grancari Estate and many others certified their vineyard organic. Unsung growers like the late Modestino Piombo developed a successful vineyard at Sellicks Hill with little more than a dodge plow and wettable sulphur. Recently Paxton viticulture have successfully converted significant amounts of vineyard to BioDynamics, an organic system with soil as the key factor in farming, and sustainability as the goal. The Leask family, Paxton Wines and Gemtree wines have all converted vineyards to this system.
   
   Following the lead of these pioneers elements of the organic and biodynamic philosophy have been starting catch on with mainstream grape growers.
   
   The pioneers were concerned, above all else, about the soil beneath their feet. Organic and Biodynamic philosophy is centred on practices designed to improve the richness and stability of the soil by restoring its organic matter and avoiding synthetic chemicals.
   
   Not surprisingly this commitment to soil balance also has a flow on effect to wine quality. Many of the characteristics of a well maintained organic or biodynamic vineyard have the same traits of vineyards that achieve A grade results. This is particularly the case with McLaren Vale staples Shiraz and Grenache. They have moderate vigour, develop open canopies, catch a good deal of sunlight, have thicker skins, are not over fertilised and have balanced soil.
   

   Brad Cameron driving pick up for his families vineyard.

   
   McLaren Vale has many advantages that make sustainable wine production a reality. The area has creek lines and roadsides that can be re-vegetated to offset farming energy demands and electrical power can be generated from shed and winery roof space. McLaren Vale’s soils are perfect for farming and we have a ready supply of organic fertilisers from Adelaide’s waste and animal farming nearby.
   
   Currently 40% of the grape growers water needs are filled by reclaimed water from Adelaide with plans ahead to increase this, and the balance of water comes from underground sources which are carefully monitored to make sure are healthy.
   
   Pastures grow well in between our vine rows stopping soil erosion.
   
   Mechanical weeding or new plant based herbicides can control weeds where they are not needed.
   
   

   Bush Vine Grenache at Paxton Wines.

   McLaren Vale has relatively low risk of disease affecting yield and quality. Powdery Mildew is a slow creeping disease that is limited by sunlight. Open canopies that let sunlight into the fruit zone inhibit its growth naturally; these same open canopies have the advantage of suiting A grade red wine production. Organically registered products like sulphur are effective in controlling the disease.
   
   Downy Mildew is a rare occurrence in the district with the last significant outbreak in 1992. Downy Mildew needs wet summers where significant rain occurs in November and December. Wet summers are infrequent. When the next wet summer comes with increased knowledge about the disease, I believe with the correct timing, grape growers can use copper as an emergency measure to limit Downy’s effects and still meet organic requirements. Botrytis is a hit and miss problem. A grade red varieties with tough skins will always fair better than those which are pumped up and weak skinned. Nature is clever like that.
   
   The pioneers have showed the district how. Organic practices use cheap and locally available resources. Vineyards are being successfully farmed avoiding factors over which farmers have little control: mineral fertilisers and synthetic pesticides. The opportunity is here to make the region the centre of sustainable grape growing.
   
   I feel adopting organic practices on a wide scale represents an effective way to reduce the oversupply of C grade fruit and promote more fruit into the A grade. Is organic certification, or whole hearted Biodynamics in its pure form the solution, maybe not? However the concept of widespread semi-organics by adopting organic techniques to increase soil health, decrease the use of unnecessary farm inputs and push towards sustainability is attainable and attractive.
   
   

   The Pines by Horace Trennery. c. 1940.

   I am not suggesting we change the world, just look at what is happening in the region and see where we fit into it. The scientist in me tells me this is possible. It is all practical and we have made a reasonable start, now is the time to keep striving.

   
5. The Cult of Personality - History of McLaren Vale - Part 4.
   There was a time in Southern Vales where there were no cellar doors.
   
   

   "In 1984 the most flamboyant figure in McLaren Vale, Vincenzo Berlingieri, purchased Oliverhill with, as usual, grand schemes in mind." Oliverhill Wines- Excerpt from "The Australian Wine Compendium" 1985 Edition by James Halliday

   One of the first cellar doors in McLaren Vale was started by Enzo Berlingieri as Settlement Wines in the 1970's.
   
   "Old times... good times... when dirty ashtrays were a socially acceptable part of the whole cellar door experience", says Enzo's daughter Annika, "As well as tops off Fridays."
   
   Wayne Thomas was a McLaren Vale veteran, having started his winemaking career in 1961, working for Stonyfell, Ryecroft and Saltram before establishing a cellar door at Fern Hill with his late wife Pat in ’75.
   
   When they sold Fern Hill in 1994 they started again, launching the Wayne Thomas Wines label, using grapes sourced from growers throughout McLaren Vale.
   
   Wayne Thomas passed away in April 2007.

   
6. Underground Orchid & Classic Car Day
   

   Please join us for music and all the loveliness you have come to expect from Lazy Ballerina.
   $20 BBQ Lunch.
   Wines by the glass and bottle.
   Bookings - 08 8556 7085
   

   

   
7. Vale Cru and The Yearlings.

   

   

   The McLaren Vale Piazza played host to The Yearlings on Sunday night, with a twilight wine tasting by the Vale Cru. The Piazza was at capacity as the sun set on a lovely autumn evening.

   Lazy Ballerina showed wines along with other small batch wineries including Alpha Box and Dice, La Curio, Old Faithful, Vigna Bottin and Battle of Bosworth.

   Special thanks to Gill from Fall From Grace for organising the night and Troy from J&J Wines who helped man the Lazy B stand while James was off playing photographer.

   We hope you agree the pictures were worth the break in service.

   

   A full gallery of picture is on the Vale Cru's Facebook Page.

   
8. Helping McLaren Vale farm ; After we are gone.
   Already recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable viticultural regions, McLaren Vale has strengthen its sustainability status after region launched the world leading McLaren Vale Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, 'Sustainable Winegrowing' for short, Tuesday night.
   
   We are really proud to have been a part of a great collaborative, open, forward looking program.
   In 2005 when Lazy Ballerina's proprietor James Hook was working for MVGWTA he developed the outline of a self-assessment system for grape growers. Over the last 7 years this as developed into a system for growers to assess their operations and gain sustainable certification.
   
   James authored the first two chapters of Sustainable Winegrowing which were peer reviewed by Dr Mike McCarthy and Dr Trevor Wicks respectively.
   
   “Sustainable Winegrowing is the first program of its kind in Australia and we expect other regions will follow our lead and adopt the program, tailoring it to their region,” MVGWTA Chair Peter Hayes said.
   
   “The program embraces the triple bottom line approach relating to economic, social and environmental considerations and is independent of farming systems, meaning conventional, organic and biodynamic grapegrowers alike can benefit from participating.”
   
   

   

   
   Above - The launch, held at the Bocce Club, was a huge success with more than 100 people in attendance.
   

   
   

   
   Above - Chester Osborne - d'Arenberg Wines, Stephen Strachan - WFA and Peter Hayes, MVGWTA.
   
   For more information check out www.mclarenvale.info.

   
9. Easter Wine Special

   Easter is the best time of the year. Fact. Wine tastes better with chocolate. Hot cross buns just plain rock. In celebration we have an interstate wine special on our full range with free postage.

   Order Form Easter 2012

   Offer valid until 29th of April, 2012.
   

    

   
10. Vale Cru - April 15th

    

    
11. 2009 Pinot Noir - New Release!
    

    This is one of our most exciting releases. Pinot noir, one of the most difficult wines to make well, is a darling among many wine lovers, most of whom know the drama behind the scenes that goes into its creation.
    André Tchelistcheff declared that "God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot noir."   The reason for this is it much less tolerant of hard, windy, hot and dry, harsh vineyard conditions than the likes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Grenache. It also has thin skins which makes it prone to disease in wet years. Therefore it likes neither wet, or hot conditons. Pinot needs it just right.
    In the bottle Pinot can change from bench reserve to stalwart center-half forward without warning (and similar lose form, vice versa), and at its best is exalted as one of the greatest of all wines.
    Ours is out now!
    
    

    
12. McLaren Vale Vintage Report - Part 3
    
    Harvest weather conditions, with cool nights but warm days, have been ideal for grape development. In response to this vineyards have typically developed 2 weeks earlier than normal. The 2012 vintage has been one of the most condensed seen in McLaren Vale with crushing expected to be completed by the 25th March compared with April in 2011. Indeed some wineries have already finished crushing for the year and are working on pressing out their wine. At this early stage the wine quality is looking very promising with the reds having excellent colour and flavour.
    
    Above - Cabernet Sauvignon being machine harvested at Paxton Vineyard’s Jones Block.

    
13. McLaren Vale Vintage Report - Part 2.
    Around the district grape harvesting is continuing at pace. Shiraz from Blewitt Springs and Clarendon, plus Cabernet Sauvignon is being crushed this week. Mourvèdre from the Sellicks Foothill is also ripe. The trend of low vineyard yields producing fantastic quality juice in the winery is continuing. Expectations are high that McLaren Vale will produce another classic vintage.
    

    

    The cloud streaked view from Samuel's Gorge.
    “Harvest has been perfectly timed, with cool weather conditions for maturing grapes,” says Bradley Cameron, who has spent the harvest driving tractor pick up in his family’s vineyards. “Red grapes have been looking really dark in the picking bins. That is always a good sign.”
    

    

    Grapes at the Patritti Wines crusher.
    The vintage has not been without one dramatic turn. The McLaren Vale region received its average seasonal rainfall, all on one day. Moist air drawn down from the north west of Australia saw 60mm of rain recorded on the last day of summer.  The rain event on Wednesday the 29^th of February put nerves on edge but miraculously the teeming skies only caused a minor to pause in picking. Fortunately the district’s famous winds picked up after the rain and quickly dried vineyards out.
    

    

    The creek at Whites Valley (near Willunga) running during the downpour.
    Once the puddles had dispersed tractors returned to work and wineries were able to restart picking within 48 hours. Bunches on the vine did not split and minimal late season disease has been seen as a consequence.
    

    

    A good hay harvest is a good omen for a successful grape vintage.
    It is an honest assessment to label this a very good vintage. It could even be remembered as a great vintage if cool and dry weather continues through March allowing full flavour development in Grenache and other late season varieties. While the forecasts remain dry, optimism is high that Vineyard 2012 will produce wines the community is proud of.
    
    

    
14. McLaren Vale Vintage Report - Part 1
    Grape harvesting in the McLaren Vale wine region is progressing very well.  The harvest is running earlier than average, following on the trend first seen by an early grapevine bud burst and flowering last spring.
    Summer has been warm, but vineyards have been spared the trials of extended heat waves and also heavy rain showers. The weather has been ideal for ripening except for some sites being exposed to high strength gully winds. While wind damage has left these vineyards looking a little rough round the edges, fruit quality has been unaffected.
    

    

    

    Shiraz begging to be picked.
    At the end of February, most white grapes varieties and approximately half of the Shiraz crop has been picked, with some early Grenache also being taken into wineries.
    The 2012 Lazy Ballerina Shiraz, based on fruit from the famous Inkwell vineyard, was picked on the 22nd of February. This was early and in line with the other 'A-Grade' vineyards in similar sites.
    

    

    Dudley Brown and James working the crusher and de-stemer.
    

    

    Winemakers reports so far have been glowing, and the Lazy Ballerina vintage is no exception.
    

    

    Of course winemaking is always subject to the weather and it is possible something could change between now and when the last grape load goes into the crusher.  However, story so far is a great year for all varieties in 2012 which will strengthen McLaren Vale’s reputation as one of the world’s great wine regions.
    The chances are, your favourite winery, be that Chapel Hill, Olivers Taranga, Paxtons, Coriole, Chalk Hill or another is sitting on some of its best fruit in years.

    
15. Low clouds, high winds and vintage in McLaren Vale

    

    20/12/2012 – At this time of the year grapegrowers are constantly looking at the weather. The pictures on this page show a common localised weather pattern in the McLaren Vale Wine Region. Locals call it a gully breeze.
    

    In this picture a strong breeze is blowing from the ‘range’ (the Southern Mt Lofty Ranges) towards the camera, while a ‘range cloud’ sits on top of the hills. These 'range cloud' conditions slow grape and horticultural ripening rates, in February, March and April, on the Fluerieu and at Kuitpo. The corresponding gully breeze is famous for its strength and duration in McLaren Vale.

    The technical name for this cloud formation and accompanying wind is 'Orographic.' Orographic clouds form when humid air blows over the top of the hill range. The air first rises to go over the hill range then, on the downwind side of the range, the air sinks back into the valley and warms. During warming the water droplets (i.e., clouds) evaporate into invisible water vapor.

    

    Humid air moves from the left, eg. Lake Alexandrina and Encounter Bay, is pushed up across the Fluerieu, until it rapidly falls down the leedward side spilling into the McLaren Vale region - right.
    

    

    It is fascinating to watch orographic clouds and understand that a single cloud is not hanging onto the mountain range. Rather the cloud is rapidly forming and dissipating at the speed of the wind as air rises over the mountain range then sinks on the other side. The parcel of air suddenly becomes visible as it passes over the top of the mountains and clouds temporarily form.

    
16. The Beauty of Agronomy

    At this time of the season, while wine lovers are getting ready for the holiday season, grapegrowers are busy tending their vineyards.

    One of their major concerns is keeping diseases, like powdery and downy mildew at bay and also establishing and training new vineyards.

    

    "Behind the fruitfulness are men of understanding and knowledge,

    and skill, men who experiment with seed, endlessly developing the

    techniques for greater crops of plants whose roots will resist the

    million enemies of the earth: the molds, the insects, the rusts, the

    blights. These men work carefully and endlessly to perfect the seed,

    the roots. And there are the men of chemistry who spray the trees

    against pests, who sulphur the grapes, who cut out disease and rots,

    mildews and sicknesses. Doctors of preventive medicine, men at the

    borders who look for fruit flies, for Japanese beetle, men who

    quarantine the sick trees and root them out and burn them, men of

    knowledge. The men who graft the young trees, the little vines, are

    the cleverest of all, for theirs is a surgeon's job, as tender and

    delicate; and these men must have surgeons' hands and surgeons' hearts

    to slit the bark, to place the grafts, to bind the wounds and cover

    them from the air. These are great men."

     John Steinbeck - The Grapes of Wrath.
    

     

    
17. Highland Fling Hear Them Sing

    The BordererS @ Cellar Door Sunday, January 8th.

    

    Lazy Ballerina is thrilled to have internationally acclaimed Celtic band The BordererS playing at Lazy Ballerina. $25 tickets. Your ticket also gets you a bbq chicken or lasagna lunch and dessert.  Music 1-4pm.  

    This will sell out. Bookings essential! Phone 08 85 567 085. Check out the BordererS Website - www.theborderers.com.au

    
18. Holiday Times, High Times, Tea Times

    

    Lazy Ballerina is pleased to announce we are offering High Teas all summer. Get a group together and joins us in the magnificent surrrounds of our garden. There is no better way to rest, relax and enjoy your afternoon.

    Your menu includes -

    Free flowing bubbles and free flowing tea 

    Sandwiches - ham and cucumber 

    Mini Quiches or Fritata

    Cream choc puff or chocolate brownies

    Cupcakes

    Scones with Jam and Cream

    Custard tarts or Vanilla slice

    High Tea is served -

    Friday, Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays. 2-4pm.

    $35 per head. Minimum of 6 people. Bookings essential.

    
    Bookings and further information -

    Pat Hook 08 85567 085 or email James - james@djsgrowers.com.au

    
19. You can't predict the weather.

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    Did you know that the weather when you grow grapes is vitally important?

    Each week James checks McLaren Vale's weather data as part of the regions CropWatch programme.

    The growth, disese pressure and ripening of McLaren Vale vineyards changes depending on the altitude of the vineyard and its distance from the gulf. Local factors like gully winds also play a large part.

    Differences in mesoclimate are reflected in the differences in growth stages (EL stage) between vineyards and when they are harvested. 

    McLaren Vale has a very good coverage of weather stations which can be accessed by following the link:  www.weather-mclarenvale.info

     The Bureau of Met’s weather station is at Noarlunga Centre, CropWatch’s Kangarilla site is on Kangarilla Rd, to the west of the township. The McLaren Vale Visitor Centre is located on the Main St at the northern end while the McLaren Vale site is at the southern end near the Salopean Inn. The Willunga site is near the Willunga High School.

    McLaren Flat located on the eastern side of the township and Kuitpo which located approximately on the corner of Range Rd and Pennys Hill Rd.

    

    
20. Wedding Season

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    It is wedding season at Lazy Ballerina. Check out the lovely photos from Carly Hack Photography.

    

    Carly was wedding photographer for Jasmine & Blake who had their surprise wedding with us earlier in the month. Look at her website for more lovely pictures and if you are looking at wedding venues - make sure you think of us.

    

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21. Surprise arrivals.

    The normally sleepy gardens of the Lazy Ballerina cellar door were shaken by a surprise helicopter arrival. The boys from the Littlehampton restaurant Out of the Pan, Jeremy Matto and Alan Crawford enjoyed the high life with a quick jaunt for a wine tasting.

    

    

    It was Jeremy's birthday and partner Alan surprised him with the helicopter ride. Jeremy said he did not know where they were going when they set off on the ride and was surprised to pick out Kuitpo Forest from the air and even more surprised to land in the Lazy Ballerina gardens.

    Lazy Ballerina is twenty minutes drive south from Mt Barker but the helicopter made the trip in half the time.
    
    Jeremy and Alan completed their adventure, taking some wine it tow with them, by returning for a party at the Nairne indian restaurant Chingari.

    
22. Vale Cru Tasting Day.

    

    

    On Sunday James joined the Winemakers of Vale Cru on the Victory Hotel lawns to pour and discuss the latest release of Lazy Ballerina wines against the stunning backdrop of Sellicks beach and the Vines of McLaren Vale.

    

    Look out for the next Vale Cru event coming soon!

    
23. Emily Davis & Band Live at Lazy Ballerina

    Join us for live music in our garden. Sunday October 30th.

    

    
    The quintessential singer-songwriter, Davis has spent the past 10 years crafting her narrative into something tactile, visceral and rich in imagery. We can't think of any better place than are garden to enjoy her dreamy music.

    $20 lunch and dessert package.

    Emily is playing from 1-4pm.

    P: 08 85567085

    PS. We have a marquee if the weather is poor on the day. We play rain, hail or shine.

    
24. Kelly Menhennett plays Lazy Ballerina Oct 9th

    Next weekend!

    Lazy Ballerina is pleased to have Kelly Menhennett playing at Lazy Ballerina on Sunday, October the 9th. 

    Did you know when she is not being one of Australia's best up and coming roots musicians, she is a winemaker! Lazy B's James and Kelly worked together in the Riverland back in the year 2000. That is 11 vintages ago! They both started to work at a young age.

    

    
    

    Picnic food is $20 with a pizza or lasagna and dessert. Bring a blanket and sit out on the lawn. We also have our full range of wine available, plus tea, coffee and soft drink. This is family friendly, so bring the kids to kick the footy, or play some Bocce in our backyard.

    Check out Kelly's Website - www.kellymenhennett.com
    

    
25. New stock of 2009 Lazy Ballerina

    

    The new Lazy Ballerina Shiraz & Shiraz Viogniers are out now. 

    We are proud to introduce and share our latest Shiraz and Shiraz / Viognier.

    This is the 6th release of Shiraz and 5th release of Shiraz/Viognier.

    We recommend you come up and visit this month to see what we have created for your enjoyment, or for those interstate, we have 20% off dozen and mixed dozen and free shipping.