Lunch Al Fresco and Wine Tasting at Dryridge Estate

Robert arranged for us to do a little wine tasting at Dryridge Estate. Bob and Barbara Tyrrell are Robert and Eveline's close neighbours, that is they lived on a property about 5km by road from Glynn Newydd, and they are the proprietors of the Dryridge Estate Vineyard which is right on the locally well known 46km Six Foot Track which runs from Katumba to the Genolan Caves.

Robert, Marion and I went on ahead and when we arrived at the Six Foot Track we parked up and walked the last 2.5km to the vineyard. Even for that short distance you know you have been walking as the track follows the land up hill down dale. The benefit is that you are just in the most beautiful countryside with incredible vistas.

When we got to the homestead we discovered that Bob and Barbara were out amongst the vines pruning and pulling off the new but useless shoots. They soon arrived back, Eveline and her parents arrived with our picnic at the same time and we ensconced ourselves at the tables to the side of the homestead overlooking the vines and looking out towards Katumba on the top of the escapement, a similar but different panorama to that from Glyn Newydd.

Bob produced two bottles of his remaining wines, a 2008 Rose and a 2008 Riesling and described them and left, leaving us to taste them and then drink them as accompaniment to the excellent picnic that Eveline had prepared. The wines were just right with our picnic and we had to go and get some more.

Bob and Barbara have had many vicissitudes in getting their vineyard going but it really seems as if things are now moving forward very well. They have a very good take up of their production and they are now beginning to win medals at competitions. The Megalong Valley is not known for wine or olives but Bob, another neighbour who has planted vines and Robert and Eveline are trying to change that. They will not be able to do any large scale production for some time so quality product has got to be their strategy.

Just towards the end of our picnics the wind changed and short time later we felt the large rain drops of a brief but heavy shower. We quickly packed up the picnic and took refuge with Barbara in the homestead until the worst had past and then made our way back to Glyn Newydd.

www.dryridge.com.au