STRANGEBIRD ALTERNATE WINE TRAIL
This wine trail was founded jointly by our winemaker Peter McGlashan and another well known local winemaker Jim Barnes. One Sunday afternoon over a beer the pair discussed how great it would be to have a wine trail that showcased the regions lesser known varieties. Hence the Strangebird Wine Trail was born.
The region has a growing reputation as one of Australia’s top producers of alternative variety wines – known here as Strange Birds. To be called an alternative, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia as defined by Wine Australia.
Wine tasting the cellar doors of the Granite Belt is a unique wine experience, where you’ll encounter exciting varieties, that pair very specifically to ideal foods. The wineries of the Granite Belt offer a boutique and authentic wine experience, where in many cases the hands that pour your glass are the same that tended the vines and made the wine. Certainly each bottle has a story to tell and each cellar door welcomes you to discover that unique story that goes with their variety of Strange Bird wines.
Ridgemill Estate offers a number of Strangebirds for you to try including: Tempranillo, Saperavi, Verdelho and Viognier. Grab yourself a copy of the Strangebird Map and start exploring.
New to the Strangebirds this year are white: Roussane, Albarino and Petit Manseng as well as reds Sagrantino and Montepulciano.