Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'Correct!' He had slipped one of our barrel samples into the mix, presenting it as a wine
from our collection. 'It's last year's merlot in the American oak barrel - that's what gives it
the spiciness.'
I held my hand up for another high-five.
When made naturally, there is no other product that expresses different land or terroir as
well as wine. Once you follow vintages you see each is a different character with unique
charm. They evolve like their vignerons. Each farm and vintage has a story. I had fallen in
love with our new profession. Not the infatuation of our dream of going wine-farming but
a deep, profound love, something that resonated in my soul. A resonance that came from
the three years of hard work, the inspiration of working with nature and nurturing our farm
back to health and gaining a deeper understanding of what wine truly was and how it could
express a place. But was it a love that was unconditional? How far was I willing to pursue
it?
This journey had taken me to a place I loved, peopled with colourful characters. I wanted
to learn more; to share more. But it was early days and there was still no light at the end of
the tunnel financially. A tour like the one I did with Austin would not change the economic
reality that kept rearing its head.
