Long weekend in the Clare Valley

[VPS]

Just had a great weekend in the Clare Valley

Stayed at Irongate Studio in Mintaro. Lovely people. We were supposed to go last year and had to cancel because of a family funeral and they were very generous in only charging a minimal amount to cancel so wanted to stay there this time.

Irongate Studio B&B - Irongate Studio B&B

irongatestudio.com.au

You get a platter on arrival and there was milk, bacon, eggs, cereals, a fruit basket, a bottle of wine, port and chocolates and they delivered a freshly baked loaf of bread on the first morning. Wood was provided with the open fire and they gave us more when we asked for it

It was so dark there, the night sky was just amazing although it was hard to photograph on my phone.

There were two bedrooms both ensuite (no photos because I forgot) but they both had aircon plus the bathroom had underfloor heating. The place was spotless as well.




The welcome platter

 

[VPS]

On the way up to Clare we had a bit of detour to visit Rockfords and do a bit of tasting. I forgot to take photos of the tasting room - whoops

 

[VPS]

First stop Mintaro Wines Mintaro Wines - The Best Winery In South Australia

I have to say I didn't enjoy the wines and the owner wasn't the cheeriest of characters in fact was downright miserable. The best thing was the labels on the wine. Even the same wine had different labels.

My friend who is much nicer than I am bought some wine because "they felt sorry for him"

 

[RooFlyer]

It was so dark there, the night sky was just amazing although it was hard to photograph on my phone.

So what was hard? Walk outside, tilt your head back and press the button thing.

 

[Pushka]

So what was hard? Walk outside, tilt your head back and press the button thing.

Because the phone takes a delayed photo timer and you have to keep it still for seconds and maybe that wasn't possible after all the wineries?

 

[VPS]

Dinner in the Magpie and Stump

Magpie and Stump Hotel | Clare Valley Pub

Rich in character and country charm, Magpie & Stump is a well-known pub in the Clare Valley. With good food and excellent wine, pop in today!

www.magpieandstump.com.au

A better than average country pub and seated in front of a roaring open fire which was lovely because it was a very brisk walk home. Lot's of rabbits and fantastic sky. The view the following morning was a tad frosty

 

[VPS]

So what was hard? Walk outside, tilt your head back and press the button thing.

Staying still while trying not to trip over anything

Because the phone takes a delayed photo timer and you have to keep it still for seconds and maybe that wasn't possible after all the wineries?

Exactly - I'm glad someone understands

 

[RooFlyer]

Because the phone takes a delayed photo timer and you have to keep it still for seconds and maybe that wasn't possible after all the wineries?

Ah, that I can identify with.

 

[luckypierre]

Just had a great weekend in the Clare Valley

Stayed at Irongate Studio in Mintaro. Lovely people. We were supposed to go last year and had to cancel because of a family funeral and they were very generous in only charging a minimal amount to cancel so wanted to stay there this time.

Irongate Studio B&B - Irongate Studio B&B

irongatestudio.com.au

You get a platter on arrival and there was milk, bacon, eggs, cereals, a fruit basket, a bottle of wine, port and chocolates and they delivered a freshly baked loaf of bread on the first morning. Wood was provided with the open fire and they gave us more when we asked for it

It was so dark there, the night sky was just amazing although it was hard to photograph on my phone.

There were two bedrooms both ensuite (no photos because I forgot) but they both had aircon plus the bathroom had underfloor heating. The place was spotless as well.


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The welcome platter

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Stayed at this establishment ourselves a quality BnB. Mintaro a historic listed town is a favourite of ours in the Clare Valley. Reilly’s wines are certainly worth visiting. The Magpie and Stump pub across the road serves quality food and local wines, can be enjoyed outside in the beer garden. Historic and impressive Martindale Hall is nearby and is a must visit. And many good wineries, pubs and restaurants in the Clare Valley

 

[VPS]

Next day was a bit of tour around Clare and we visited

About Greg Cooley Wines - Greg Cooley Wines We got there just before 12 when opening time was 10 and there was a note on the door to say there were going to open at 12 so we just hung around and waited. A woman eventually turned up and ripped the signs off the door and went back inside. To say that she was not a happy camper was an understatement. We went in a did some tastings and it took her nearly 15 minutes to calm down and thaw out and then she was lovely but something had obviously given her SOL.

Crabtree Wines

Crabtree Wines

www.crabtreewines.com.au

Lovely lady there. Interestingly they have a nice area outside undercover and this group of about 10-12 people had arrived and asked if they could just sit there and have their picnic lunch without buying any wine. She did say yes but said if paying customers arrived then they would have to leave. They were quite annoying because their kids were making quite a racket

Not sure why but I didn't take any photos and I didn't buy any of their wines

The weather was great - cold overnight but clear blue sky days


A statue to commemorate Monica McInerney a local author. Personally I don't like her books but many do.

Monica McInerney - Wikipedia



Part of a walk on the Riesling trail

 

[VPS]

Reilly's winery right in Mintaro Reillys Wines - Home

I really enjoyed the Mataro and the Cab Sauv

Some good wines and very pleasant man doing the tastings. I've had lunch there are few times over the years and it's always been excellent.

 

[VPS]

We went to the Watervale Hotel a couple of times. The first time just for something very light and the next day for lunch.

A beautiful old pub and has won many awards and well deserved. The staff and the food were excellent and the decor is lovely

Most awarded restaurant in Clare Valley. Farm fresh to Plate.

Awarded 'Best Restaurant in a Pub or Club in Australia', 'Best Wine List in an Australian Pub', with SA Chef of the Year in the kitchen.

watervalehotel.com.au

 

[VPS]

More photos of the Watervale hotel. I think I'd like to go back and stay nearby and have a full dinner there

Photos on the website look much better than mine

 

[VPS]

Next night was Terroir

Terroir Auburn - Home

terroirauburn.com.au

I've eaten there several times and it never disappoints. It's a set 4 course dinner and I let them know earlier that I couldn't eat fish and so they substituted a duck leg for me.



This was a complimentary Amuse Bouchee - can't remember what was in it except chick peas but it was great

 

[VPS]

Went for a walk in the Spring Gully Conservation park. Another beautiful day and the wattles are starting to bloom. There was another walk that we tried to find but failed

 

[VPS]

Another favourite winery is Sussex Squire Home - Sussex Squire Wines - Clare Valley

It's very much a boutique winery and the owner is lovely to chat to.

I came home with the Malbec, The Windmill Block Shiraz and the Samuel Block CS

 

[VPS]

Went out to Farrell Flat to check out the Silos.. I had heard a rumour that there was an elephant hidden on there but couldn't find it. Google confirmed there is an elephant hidden in the corn so something for the next trip

 

[VPS]

Went for a drive to visit Porter Lagoon and then onto Burra Gorge. Some beautiful scenery on the way but the roads were very narrow and winding so not really safe to stop

Porter Lagoon

Porter Lagoon, South Australia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Burra Gorge



Does anyone know what this. Not sure if it is endemic or introduced

 

[VPS]

On the way home quick stop at Eudunda to check out the Silos

 

[VPS]

Mintaro is a lovely little town and it was a beautiful morning to walk around it

First to the old Church and cemetery