Serious About Southern Highland Wines

Red Tree Cafe takes great pride in featuring local produced wines on a rotating basis for patrons.

A boutique wine region the Southern Highlands is charaterised by small wineries and vineyards handcrafting a range of wines. Careful viticulture is practiced with minimal irrigation and much hand tendering of the vines as local winemakers seek to work together with local environemenatl imperatives.

Founding vignerons identified the potential of the region's cool sunny climate, undulating slopes and soils ranging from medium to heavy clays and sandy loams to basaltic and some granitic soils.

Varieties grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Emerging as standouts in the region are Pinot Gris and Chardonnay with Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon showing unique cool climate chararcter. Italian and Spanish varieties are grown including the rare Arneis at Berrimsa Estate which recently won silver at the Alternative Varieties Wine Show.

Red Tree Cafe will from time to time feature wines which could be sourced from any of the local wineries below

Featured Winery - Blue Metal

Bluemetal Vineyard is one of the area’s leading producers, creating wines of individuality and excellence that proudly showcase their distinctive vineyard origins and the influence of the regional climate.

Achieving high quality and authentic varietal expression have always been two of the most important winemaking objectives at Bluemetal. Although our boutique vineyard is very small and produces only about 40 tonnes of fruit a year, the resulting wines have great complexity and elegance.

One reason for this is the location. The vineyard lies over a cap of basalt rock, known in Australia as blue metal – hence the name. At 790 metres above sea level, our vineyard is the highest in the Southern Highlands and, combined with rich, free draining soils, this makes it a superb site for grape growing.

Bluemetal Vineyard has been operating for just over 10 years. The land was bought and the vineyard established in 1999 by the current owners who recognised the potential of the Southern Highlands as a wine producing district. 

The decision about which varieties to grow was taken after careful consideration. The six varieties planted were specifically chosen to match the region’s long, slow ripening seasons which allow the full fruit flavours of the wines to develop.

The white varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris and the reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese.

James Halliday's recent tasting notes rated Blue Metal Fumé Blanc 2008

94 points and 5 glasses

Tasting Notes: "Fragrant citrus and passionfruit aromas flow through onto the lively palate where oak simply provides texture without dimishing the fruit profile; the finish is long and fresh. Exemplary winemaking. 13% Alcohol. Drink in 2011.

Local Wineries Southern Higlands

West of Bowral

Centennial Vineyards is a medal winning vineyard with winemaker Tony Cosgriff at the helm. It produces elegant wines from the estate and fruit sourced from surrounding cool climate regions. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, the Spanish varietal Tempranillo and the Italian varietals Rondinella and Corvina.

Cuttaway Hill Estate. A regular medal winner, they export 75% of their wines to the UK and USA. Winemaker Mark Bourne was founding President of the Southern Highlands Vignerons Association. Chardonnays, silky Merlot and full bodied Pinot Gris reminiscent of pinots of Alsace, France.

Howards Lane. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Mundrakoona, one of the early wineries established in the region. They produceShiraz and Pinot Noir under their Artemis labe

Along Wombeyan Caves Road there is a significant vineyard area.

Bou-saada Vineyard. Their flagship wine is a Riesling.

Along Joadja Road is Joadja Winery, the first winery in the Highlands. Established in 1983 by Kim and Frances Moginie . Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet. They are also known for their berry liqueur and port.

Nearby Saint Derycke's also have award winners in their range.

McVitty Grove has a range of wines specialising in Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. They also have verjuice and estate-grown olive oil.

Pulpit Rock Wines. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Close to Berrima you will find Blue Metal Vineyard. Their cellar door is stocked with award-winning single vineyard wines and local cheeses from Small Cow Farm.

South of Bowral and Beyond

The second major cluster of wineries occurs around Sutton Forest, Exeter and Moss Vale. Eling Forest Winery at Sutton Forest is just off the expressway to Canberra. Winemaker Michelle Crockett produces award winning wines which includes Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon and a Botrytis Semillon, Cabernet Merlot blend and a Peach Brandy and Cherry Port.

Southern Highlands Wines (SHW). . Eddie Rossi the chief winemaker has just introduced a new range of wines under the label Altitude 676.

St. Maur Estate, Exeter. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Merlot blend.

Mount Ashby Estate between Moss Vale and Fitzroy Falls produces Pinot Gris, Merlot and Chardonnay. Their 2004 D'OR Botrytis Pinot Gris won best wine at the 2005 Southern Highlands Wine Show.

Manchester Square Wines grow only Riesling but also produce a Rosé using Riesling grapes.

North-east of Bowral

Greenbrier Park, established in 1985 by Robert and Janet Constable. Sauvignon Blanc as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Diamond Creek Estate was established in 1997. Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc.

For Reservations or Takeaway Orders Tel: (02) 4862 5417 - Fax: (02) 48625418 - Fax: (02) 48625418

or email: info@redtreecafe.com.au

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm seven days a week (except Xmas day and Boxing Day)

Location: 52 Station Street, Bowral, New South Wales