Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
own devices. A fact for your next trivia night: Mintaro slate is used internationally in the
manufacture of billiard tables. Pick up the
Historic Mintaro
pamphlet around the valley.
1
Sights
Martindale Hall
HISTORIC BUILDING
( 08-8843 9088;
www.martindalehall.com
; 1 Manoora Rd; adult/child $10/2.50; 11am-4pm
Mon-Fri, noon-4pm Sat & Sun)
Martindale Hall is an astonishing 1880 manor 3km from
Mintaro. Built for young pastoralist Edmund Bowman Jnr, who subsequently partied
away the family fortune (OK, so drought and plummeting wool prices played a part…but
it was mostly the partying), the manor features original furnishings, a magnificent black-
wood staircase, Mintaro-slate billiard table and an opulent, museum-like smoking room.
The hall starred as Appleyard College in the 1975 Peter Weir film
Picnic at Hanging
Rock
. B&B and DB&B accommodation packages allow you to spend a spooky night
here ($120 and $250 respectively).
Mirandaaa...
DON'T MISS
CLARE VALLEY WINERIES
The Clare Valley's cool micro-climates (around rivers, creeks and gullies) notice-
ably affect the wines, enabling local whites to be laid down for long periods and still
be brilliant. The valley produces some of the world's best riesling, plus grand semil-
lon and shiraz. Our favourite cellar doors:
Skillogalee
( 08-8843 4311;
www.skillogalee.com.au
; Trevarrick Rd, Sevenhill;
10am-5pm)
Skillogalee is a small family outfit known for its spicy shiraz, fabulous
food and top-notch riesling. Kick back with a long, lazy lunch on the verandah
(mains $20 to $30; book ahead).
Pikes
(
www.pikeswines.com.au
; Polish Hill River Rd, Sevenhill; 10am-4pm)
The industri-
ous Pike family set up shop in 1984, and have been producing show-stopping
riesling ever since (and shiraz, sangiovese, pinot grigio, viognier…). It also bottles
up the zingy 'Oakbank Pilsener' if you're parched.
Knappstein
(
www.knappstein.com.au
;
2 Pioneer Ave, Clare; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm
Sat, 11am-4pm Sun)
Taking a minimal-intervention approach to wine making,
Knappstein has built quite a name for itself. Shiraz and riesling steal the show, but
it also makes a mighty fine semillon sauvignon blanc blend (and beer!).
Sevenhill Cellars
( 08-8843 4222;
www.sevenhill.com.au
;
College Rd , Sevenhill;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
Want some religion with your drinking? This
