Author: Dirk Chan
Our online feature this week is the 2018 d’Arenberg Sticks & Stones (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $29.99, regularly $36.99.
The d’Arenberg Winery is one of the most respected wineries in McLaren Vale in South Australia – established in 1912 by the teetotaller Joseph Osborn, who sold his stable of prize winning horses to purchase the property. Three more generations since Joseph – Frank, Francis (universally known as d’Arry) and then Chester, who joined in 1984 and runs the show now.
Known for making distinctive, finesse driven wines using traditional methods in the vineyard and the winery, Chester is also renown for his wild shirts and his wines’ unique and often humourous names. His most recent project is the d’Arenberg Cube, an amazing five story structure in the shape of a Rubik’s cube that includes restaurant and tasting room that is fast becoming a mainstay attraction destination for visitors.
Our feature this week is his Sticks & Stones, a kitchen sink blend marvelously done is a mix of Tempranillo, Grenache, Souzao and Tinta Cao – its a tantalizing journey of the senses, full of red, black and purple fruits. The inspiration for the “Sticks & Stones” comes from the age-old proverb; ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. The unusual and quirky names of d’Arenberg’s range of wines has never done the winery any harm.
2018 d’Arenberg Sticks & Stones (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $29.99 , regularly $36.99