Drinks news: January

Dry January or not, get 2024 off to a solid start with the latest in drinks, from a top Tassie wine event to a sleek new Adelaide Hills eatery and an extremely rare whisky. 

Meet Tassie’s best winemakers

Tasmania’s Open Vineyards weekend returns from 1–3 March, 2024, with 30-plus vineyards across Southern Tasmania throwing open their doors. Get to know the region’s hottest talent, including winemakers from labels without a permanent cellar door – this year’s festival highlights a diverse selection of acclaimed labels such as Derwent Estate, Sailor Seeks Horse, Mewstone and Bream Creek Vineyard. To check out the activities, tastings and tours on offer, head to openvineyards.wine.

Limited-edition Lark

There are only 135 bottles of Lark’s latest ‘rare and remarkable’ collection release, a Tasmanian single malt whisky finished in a 1911 Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Tawny cask. Founder Bill Lark has long sourced ex-sherry barrels from Seppeltsfield, though this special edition – at a cool $5200 a bottle – may be the jewel in the crown. Before graduating to whisky, the single barrel held a precious parcel from the 1911 vintage of the Seppeltsfield’s Centennial Collection tawny. The result is liquid history. larkdistillery.com

Wine and dine in Woodside

Adelaide Hills winery Bird in Hand has re-launched its onsite dining room as LVN, a farm-to-table eatery. LVN – the initials of Lalla Victoria Nugent, daughter of founders Andrew and Susie Nugent – is also the name given to the winery’s top cuvée, due for release in 2027. 

Executive chef Jacob Davey, most recently the head chef at Adelaide’s Restaurant Botanic, will oversee the degustation-only offering. At its core are seasonal native ingredients including Tasmanian mutton bird and wallaby, pipis and coastal fruits from the south of Adelaide and kangaroo from Adelaide Hills. Open Saturdays and Sundays for lunch from 12pm, bookings essential via birdinhand.com.au.

Turkey Flat tinnies

Nothing says ‘summer holiday’ like a chilled rosé. The folks at Turkey Flat are on the money this season, releasing their iconic rosé in slimline, eco-friendly cans. Not only are cans lightweight and 100 per cent recyclable (unlike glass bottles), the 250ml serving is ideal when you only want a glass or two. At $8 for one can, or $160 for 24, they’re easy on the wallet, too. turkeyflat.com.au  

Top image credit: Bird in Hand.