Armidale Express Extra

The New England food and wine industry received another thumbs up this week when 13 of its producers, including local producers Peterson of Armidale and Merilba Estate of Kingstown, attended the Wine Australia exhibition at The Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre in Sydney.

Thousands of people attended the event over fours days including many wine journalists, buyers, retailers, distributors and VIPs, as well as keen amateurs and those who just enjoy a civilised glass or two with dinner.

All wee impressed with what the region had to odder. New England Regional Development Board executive officer Julie Burt said the “region has caused quite a stir.”

“There has been a huge amount of interest in the New England Wines. Many of those attending the exhibition not aware that the region has such a thriving food and wine industry, but this event has proven that New England wines can certainty stand up against the big boys,” Ms Burt said.

“Many people coming through the doors at Darling Harbour were looking for the next big thing, the next Hunter Valley or Margaret River.

“They were looking for something a little bit different, and that is what our region has to offer – New Wines, New Taste, New England.”

Several of the region’s wine makers – Shaun Cassidy of Merilba Estate, Scott Wright of Wright Robertson and Nick De Stafani of Reedy Creek – were also part of the celebrated ‘Young Wine Makers’ group – the creme de la creme of New South Wales up and coming wine makers.

During the exhibition, they conducted chat sessions to raise the profile of the New England as a wine producing regions.

Young wine maker Shaun Cassidy said it was an exciting time to be involved in the wine industry in the New England.

“Wine Australia has been an excellent opportunity fro us, the wine makers, to talk about what we do and about the potential of or region to produce some of Australia’s premier wines,” he said.

Tamworth Regional Touring Guide

Relax and enjoy a coffee at Banalasta Visitor Centre. Located near the picturesque town of Bendemeer, 22km south of Uralla off the New England Highway, it is well worth a stop in!

Pamper yourself and sample their distinctive and high quality beauty and health care products, made from their own Lavender and Eucalyptus Oils. Their Eucalyptus plantation produces the ‘soft rounder’ aromatherapy oils, perfect for enhancing beauty products. This is used along side with their Lavender oil -known as the healing plant of nature – which gives premium results. Banalasta is dedicated to using natural ingredients. You can experience the process behind the scenes with a personal tour of their distillery.

Banalasta Visitor Centre also offers wine tastings of their Blacking Estate Wine and Thunderbolt Wine. Blacking Estate is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Australia making their wines fuller and fruitier.

Incorporating a coffee shop, retail shop, personal tours, wine tastings and cellar door area, there is something for everyone at Banalasta Visitor Centre.