When the lights came back on, here’s what we found

When a tree landed on the shop a few weeks ago, we couldn’t believe how long it would take to reopen – but here we are – and ready for a massive Melbourne Cup Weekend! Such a pity that horses have already run….oh dear. When the lights finally came back we were lucky to have retained plenty of winners, so many to talk about that we’ll focus solely on the local champions today. Two of them you may not have heard of, while the 2007 Paringa Reserve Pinot Noir shouldn’t require a pitch – it’s ready to fly. 

For Gris seekers, Tim Elphick deserves a round of applause for his textural and rounded first release. His Stilvi brand is one to watch, noting Tim cut his teeth at Chandon and Paringa before putting Portsea Estate on the map. For Pinot Noir lovers, Kent Farm is a tiny David Lloyd – Spargo family collaboration, the vineyard sits on Red Hill Rd next to Port Phillip Estate in premier cru country. But the price is not…great for when the lights go out, or come back on.