Day 6 - Rutherglen

Sorry the last few days have been as can be so have not had much chance to log on to say what we have all be up to … but here goes ….

Day 6 – Rutherglen;

The following day after our fantastic dinner at All Saints we arrived at Campbells for a vineyard tour with Colin – describing their history & current business – which made you realise how far this place is form everywhere! Colin’s fourth generation of the family, and one of the most well respected winemakers.

These guys use a Solara system for blending their Muscats and Tokay (Topaque) & Colin talked through how the solara was established and the amount of work which went into it, followed by what you can only describe as a ‘sticky wine lovers’ idea of heaven! AKA masterclass of Muscat’s and Tokay (sorry cant get use to the new name), tried through each classification; increasing in complexity and simple deliciousness, sorry tasting notes later! Although I must say the Rare of both were simply fantastic!

After a quick pit stop lunch (local Rutherglen pie shop – awesome!) we went back to All Saints; where we were shown around the old winery – seeing the old steam generator which use to operate a system of cogs and pulleys around the winery – which they are in the process of restoring; something I would love to see working – Matt???? Also showed us the concrete vats they use which are wax lined & to replace the wax each year they have to use a blow torch & scraper and go back to basics in what you can only immagen must be one of the most sole destroying jobs around!

We tasted their Muscats from barrels – tasting a range of years - unlike campbells they don’t use a solaria system instead using large vats and a blending regimen to achieve their blend. With final tasting of the completed blends of both Muscat and Tokay – Estbek wait till we get these over!! (Chocoloate pudding for the Muscat & cheese for the Tokay!)

Gazing evening … (UK terminology: Pub Crawl) … we met up with Luke Lambert, Mac Forbes, ??? and Bill Downie, all splitting up into small groups and going around a few good eateries for some amazing food and wine (although some of the staff were more akin to Catherine Tate’s Lauren character … am’I bovered?)  Ended up with the evening be a monumentally good one, although the hang over was equally as memorable – and heaven knows what we were all talking about with the winemakers, reminds me of some Estbek staff parties!!