A part-time Carrickalinga resident has released her debut novel, which is based on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Dianne Maguire’s What Matters Most follows the story of paediatrician Mia Sandhurst as she discovers her husband Eric’s affair, and the resulting fallout.
Around the same time, 15-year-old Rachel Hooper is admitted to Mia’s care.
Rachel, who has overdosed on alcohol at a party, is dealing with her own betrayal from someone she should be able to trust.
Rachel and Mia both want to hold their families together, but as Eric’s lies and absences intensify, Mia decides she has to see his lover for herself. It is when she follows them and sees them together, that she realises Eric will not be coming back to her.
So begins Mia’s foray into a string of new, outlandish behaviours.
Mia and Rachel strike up a friendship and Rachel at last speaks out. And both Mia and Rachel discover, each in her own way, that she alone holds the key to her future.
Dianne is a former social worker. She said the book was a story about self-discovery in middle age, misplaced loyalty and how the choices we make determine who we are.
In 2007, she changed from writing child welfare policy to writing creatively when she began a professional writing course at Adelaide College of the Arts.
The following year she won the Pauline Walsh Prize in the Eastwood/Hills Regional Annual Literary Awards and was highly commended for a second entry.
In 2010 she co-wrote a collection of non-fiction short stories titled It’s About Time, on behalf of children’s charity ‘Time for Kids’.
She said three factors inspired her to write What Matters Most; her experience in child protection, her experience in life, and her love for the Fleurieu Peninsula, where she does most of her writing.
“It’s an amalgam of lots of children I’ve worked with and lots of families,” Dianne said.
“I wanted something entertaining and not too descriptive.
“I think Mia Sandhurst’s journey through betrayal is really good.
“It’s very human... It’s a bit humourous.”
Dianne is currently writing her second novel, which is also based on the Fleurieu.
For more information about Dianne and What Matters Most, visit her author page.
Article taken from Victor Harbor Times
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Satirical series showcases South Australian wine regions
South Australia’s wine regions star in the second season of satirical comedy Plonk, heralding a new frontier of tourism.
The web series takes an off-kilter look at the South Australia wine industry that is “part comedy narrative, part documentary”. The mockumentary follows the many misadventures of a film crew who are making a wine show – but the true star is the burgeoning wine and hospitality industry of Australia’s south.
After a successful first season set in New South Wales, the famous wine regions of South Australia were a natural choice for the series’ follow-up foray. But Plonk’s creator, Nathan Earl, says that in many ways South Australia was always the prime pick.
“South Australia was on our radar from the very beginning,” Earl said. “It is the Ground Zero for wine in Australia; it has the largest amount of wine regions.”
Earl – who also co-writes and stars in the show – pitched the idea with co-stars Chris Taylor and Joshua Tyler to the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) in October last year. But – Earl said – it was a reasonably simple sell.
“The SATC knew the story and understood the humour and the audience we are trying to reach,” Earl said. “The SATC is also well known for being risk takers and for being a little bit edgy… coming off the Barossa’s ‘Be Consumed’ television advert, perhaps they thought the beautiful, elegant, art-directed piece was done.
“What’s the harm to try something a little more subversive?”
Screen Australia, the SATC, the SA Film Corporation and Wine Selectors sponsor the second season of the web series.
South Australia Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said Plonk was an organic fit for the state’s wine regions: Barossa, Clare, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra.
“The show is quirky, irreverent and creative and plays beautifully to South Australia’s strengths,” he said.
“It was only fitting for Plonk to film in our state and shine the spotlight on our inspiring wine stories.”
The series will premiere exclusively on STAN, a digital streaming service, in June.
“We’re a whole generation of people who want to get into that world but don’t know where to begin. Plonk shows that these places are accessible.”
The production schedule was a tight squeeze. There were 44 filming days across South Australia’s five wine regions with more than 90 “characters” – iconic local winemakers playing exaggerated versions of themselves. Complicating things further, filming took place during harvest time in January through March – which made the schedule harder but made the content absolutely Grange quality.
“There was a lot of collaboration between us, the winemakers and the production team about what went into the script and what rang true,” Earl said.
The crew captured up to 30 different locations for each of the six 30-minute episodes but it wasn’t as arduous as imagined given that jost of the regions are just 45 minutes’ drive from Adelaide.
“Really, we didn’t have to go very far. It’s like going around the corner to buy bread and milk,” said Earl.
Busting myths about the physical and intellectual accessibility of Australia’s wine regions is one of the main edicts of Plonk.
The brainchild of team members from political sketch comedy program The Chaser’s War on Everything, the series shows that enjoying wine is a rounded experience and involves exploration.
“People aren’t going to watch it and try to make their own wine, but they do go to these regions, they get excited about wine, join a wine club or mailing list,” Earl said.
“We’re a whole generation of people who want to get into that world but don’t know where to begin. Plonk shows that these places are accessible.”
South Australia is, in Earl’s mind, the best example of this yet.
“What I learned about South Australia is there are amazing things happening all year round,” Earl said.
“The passion of the wine industry, diversity of the regions, appreciation for food and wine, music and culture; this extends well beyond ‘events season’.
“It is breathed and pulsated all year round.”
Although the show is satirical, the joke is always on the television production crew and never the wine industry.
Still, the many winemakers, grape growers, politicians, chefs and associated professionals who represented the state during filming were in themselves great characters who told the stories of an iconic part of South Australia.
Cameos from Yalumba Wines chairman Robert Hill Smith, wine icon and Hill of Grace creator Stephen Henschke and famed d’Arenberg winemaker Chester Osborn are peppered throughout the series.
Earl also recalls the joy of meeting Brother John of Sevenhill winery in the Clare Valley, where sacramental wine is made.
“Meeting an 80-year-old Jesuit priest who has been making wine since before I was born was a real thrill,” he said.
Earl, Taylor and Tyler will be touring Australia for question and answer sessions
regarding Plonk season two as guests of Wine Communicators Australia, starting in Adelaide tonight. Further dates are available in Melbourne and Sydney.
The web series takes an off-kilter look at the South Australia wine industry that is “part comedy narrative, part documentary”. The mockumentary follows the many misadventures of a film crew who are making a wine show – but the true star is the burgeoning wine and hospitality industry of Australia’s south.
After a successful first season set in New South Wales, the famous wine regions of South Australia were a natural choice for the series’ follow-up foray. But Plonk’s creator, Nathan Earl, says that in many ways South Australia was always the prime pick.
“South Australia was on our radar from the very beginning,” Earl said. “It is the Ground Zero for wine in Australia; it has the largest amount of wine regions.”
Earl – who also co-writes and stars in the show – pitched the idea with co-stars Chris Taylor and Joshua Tyler to the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) in October last year. But – Earl said – it was a reasonably simple sell.
“The SATC knew the story and understood the humour and the audience we are trying to reach,” Earl said. “The SATC is also well known for being risk takers and for being a little bit edgy… coming off the Barossa’s ‘Be Consumed’ television advert, perhaps they thought the beautiful, elegant, art-directed piece was done.
“What’s the harm to try something a little more subversive?”
Screen Australia, the SATC, the SA Film Corporation and Wine Selectors sponsor the second season of the web series.
South Australia Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said Plonk was an organic fit for the state’s wine regions: Barossa, Clare, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra.
“The show is quirky, irreverent and creative and plays beautifully to South Australia’s strengths,” he said.
“It was only fitting for Plonk to film in our state and shine the spotlight on our inspiring wine stories.”
The series will premiere exclusively on STAN, a digital streaming service, in June.
“We’re a whole generation of people who want to get into that world but don’t know where to begin. Plonk shows that these places are accessible.”
The production schedule was a tight squeeze. There were 44 filming days across South Australia’s five wine regions with more than 90 “characters” – iconic local winemakers playing exaggerated versions of themselves. Complicating things further, filming took place during harvest time in January through March – which made the schedule harder but made the content absolutely Grange quality.
“There was a lot of collaboration between us, the winemakers and the production team about what went into the script and what rang true,” Earl said.
The crew captured up to 30 different locations for each of the six 30-minute episodes but it wasn’t as arduous as imagined given that jost of the regions are just 45 minutes’ drive from Adelaide.
“Really, we didn’t have to go very far. It’s like going around the corner to buy bread and milk,” said Earl.
Busting myths about the physical and intellectual accessibility of Australia’s wine regions is one of the main edicts of Plonk.
The brainchild of team members from political sketch comedy program The Chaser’s War on Everything, the series shows that enjoying wine is a rounded experience and involves exploration.
“People aren’t going to watch it and try to make their own wine, but they do go to these regions, they get excited about wine, join a wine club or mailing list,” Earl said.
“We’re a whole generation of people who want to get into that world but don’t know where to begin. Plonk shows that these places are accessible.”
South Australia is, in Earl’s mind, the best example of this yet.
“What I learned about South Australia is there are amazing things happening all year round,” Earl said.
“The passion of the wine industry, diversity of the regions, appreciation for food and wine, music and culture; this extends well beyond ‘events season’.
“It is breathed and pulsated all year round.”
Although the show is satirical, the joke is always on the television production crew and never the wine industry.
Still, the many winemakers, grape growers, politicians, chefs and associated professionals who represented the state during filming were in themselves great characters who told the stories of an iconic part of South Australia.
Cameos from Yalumba Wines chairman Robert Hill Smith, wine icon and Hill of Grace creator Stephen Henschke and famed d’Arenberg winemaker Chester Osborn are peppered throughout the series.
Earl also recalls the joy of meeting Brother John of Sevenhill winery in the Clare Valley, where sacramental wine is made.
“Meeting an 80-year-old Jesuit priest who has been making wine since before I was born was a real thrill,” he said.
Earl, Taylor and Tyler will be touring Australia for question and answer sessions
regarding Plonk season two as guests of Wine Communicators Australia, starting in Adelaide tonight. Further dates are available in Melbourne and Sydney.
This article was first published on The Lead.
Click here for this article as it appeared in in the InDaily Newspaper
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Tour Down Under - 2014
Victor Harbor will not host a start or a finish in the 2015 Tour Down Under.
However, McLaren Vale and Willunga have retained their status as one of the premium stages of the Tour Down Under, hosting stage five.
Also the townships of Sellicks Beach, Myponga, Mount Compass, Ashbourne and Strathalbyn will have cyclists peddle through on stage four and for the Bupa Challenge.
Stage four and the Bupa Challenge will be from Glenelg to Mount Barker.
In April 2014, the City of Victor Harbor announced it will bid to host a stage finish, with a strong preference for the Bupa ride, which brought more than 6500 recreational cyclists to Victor Harbor in January 2014.
In the 2014 tour, the south coast was included in stage four, which doubled as the track for the Bupa Challenge Tour community ride.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Halliday McLaren Vale Wine Dinner
Serafino Wines is celebrating McLaren Vale’s world-class talent with a
dinner featuring some of the region’s highest-scoring wines from the
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion.
James Halliday, Australia’s most authoritative wine writer, will be guest of honour at the 95+ Halliday McLaren Vale Wine Dinner at Serafino’s Kangarilla Road winery on Thursday, 4 July.
The black tie event kicks off with a tasting in the Serafino Barrel Hall of 95+-point wines from some of McLaren Vale’s finest wineries, including d’Arenberg, Mitolo, Mr. Riggs, Yangarra, Penny’s Hill, Shingleback, Battle of Bosworth and Primo Estate.
Guests will then head to the Serafino Restaurant for Champagne on arrival before enjoying a four course dinner matched to wines that scored 95 points and above in Halliday’s indispensable wine guide. Serafino Terremoto Syrah 2010 will be one of eight 95+-point wines paired with mouth-watering dishes crafted from quality local produce.
Wines from Oliver’s Taranga, Coriole, Angove Family Winemakers, Wirra Wirra, Chapel Hill, Gemtree and Richard Hamilton will round out the dinner, all proceeds of which go to The Len Evans Foundation.
There will also be a wine options game, with the lucky winner taking home a mixed dozen of 95+-point wines.
Serafino Wines CEO Maria Maglieri said: “We’re thrilled to host James Halliday and to showcase the regional wines that have justifiably impressed him as he’s compiled the Australian Wine Companion over the years. “At Serafino, nothing gives us greater pleasure than celebrating and sharing the wonderful food and wine that McLaren Vale is famous for. To do it in such style, and in such good company, makes it even better.”
James Halliday, Australia’s most authoritative wine writer, will be guest of honour at the 95+ Halliday McLaren Vale Wine Dinner at Serafino’s Kangarilla Road winery on Thursday, 4 July.
The black tie event kicks off with a tasting in the Serafino Barrel Hall of 95+-point wines from some of McLaren Vale’s finest wineries, including d’Arenberg, Mitolo, Mr. Riggs, Yangarra, Penny’s Hill, Shingleback, Battle of Bosworth and Primo Estate.
Guests will then head to the Serafino Restaurant for Champagne on arrival before enjoying a four course dinner matched to wines that scored 95 points and above in Halliday’s indispensable wine guide. Serafino Terremoto Syrah 2010 will be one of eight 95+-point wines paired with mouth-watering dishes crafted from quality local produce.
Wines from Oliver’s Taranga, Coriole, Angove Family Winemakers, Wirra Wirra, Chapel Hill, Gemtree and Richard Hamilton will round out the dinner, all proceeds of which go to The Len Evans Foundation.
There will also be a wine options game, with the lucky winner taking home a mixed dozen of 95+-point wines.
Serafino Wines CEO Maria Maglieri said: “We’re thrilled to host James Halliday and to showcase the regional wines that have justifiably impressed him as he’s compiled the Australian Wine Companion over the years. “At Serafino, nothing gives us greater pleasure than celebrating and sharing the wonderful food and wine that McLaren Vale is famous for. To do it in such style, and in such good company, makes it even better.”
Monday, 29 October 2012
McLaren Vale Shiraz News: DOC ADAMS WINES Celebrates with a Trophy and Two Gold Medals at the 2012 Cartesian McLaren Vale Wine Show
Adelaide, South Australia -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/26/2012 --
In the cosy little town of Willunga, South Australia the Doc has
emerged from his rooms as the highest point scorer and awarded a major
trophy at 2012 Cartesian McLaren Vale Wine Show. “Finesse, mouth feel, vibrancy, freshness & balance” were among the comments from the judging panel.
Winning the Gino Torresan Memorial Trophy for Best McLaren Vale Shiraz under A$25 and the Gold Medal for the 2010 DOC ADAMS SHIRAZ together with another Gold Medal for the 2010 DOC ADAMS GSM, the team at DOC ADAMS WINES, led by the Viticulturist and CEO Adam Jacobs, are celebrating now using some of the Doc’s very own elixir of wines!
“This is an outstanding result from these two wines and I am very proud of this achievement, to win a trophy & two Gold Medals has been a testament to our hard work, we make wines we love to drink”, says Adam.
Describing the award winning wines Adam writes, The 2010 - DOC ADAMS SHIRAZ – MCLAREN VALE reflects everything about McLaren Vale wine, great colour, lasting flavours, a beautiful ageing wine and,
The 2010 DOC ADAMS GSM MCLAREN VALE is spicy and juicy with fruit like characters and complex oak throughout, a rich dry red style this GSM has a lovely mouth feel.
The passionate and talented team of DOC ADAMS WINES is dedicated to showcasing the best of McLaren Vale Shiraz grape growing and winemaking. Within the region, DOC ADAMS WINES are produced true to the character & flavours of the McLaren Vale wine region.
Doc Adams Wines:
From South Australia’s famous McLaren Vale wine growing area, the Doc Adams Wine label has, since its establishment in 2005, earned an enviable reputation for excellence in grape selection and wine making. Led by viticulturist Adam Jacobs, the passionate and talented team of DOC ADAMS WINES is dedicated to showcasing the best of McLaren Vale grape growing and winemaking. Within the region, DOC ADAMS WINES styles are produced true to the character & flavours of McLaren Vale. For further information, please contact Sales – Phil Watson on Mob. 0422 291 204, phil@docadamswines.com.au or www.docadamswines.com.au
Winning the Gino Torresan Memorial Trophy for Best McLaren Vale Shiraz under A$25 and the Gold Medal for the 2010 DOC ADAMS SHIRAZ together with another Gold Medal for the 2010 DOC ADAMS GSM, the team at DOC ADAMS WINES, led by the Viticulturist and CEO Adam Jacobs, are celebrating now using some of the Doc’s very own elixir of wines!
“This is an outstanding result from these two wines and I am very proud of this achievement, to win a trophy & two Gold Medals has been a testament to our hard work, we make wines we love to drink”, says Adam.
Describing the award winning wines Adam writes, The 2010 - DOC ADAMS SHIRAZ – MCLAREN VALE reflects everything about McLaren Vale wine, great colour, lasting flavours, a beautiful ageing wine and,
The 2010 DOC ADAMS GSM MCLAREN VALE is spicy and juicy with fruit like characters and complex oak throughout, a rich dry red style this GSM has a lovely mouth feel.
The passionate and talented team of DOC ADAMS WINES is dedicated to showcasing the best of McLaren Vale Shiraz grape growing and winemaking. Within the region, DOC ADAMS WINES are produced true to the character & flavours of the McLaren Vale wine region.
Doc Adams Wines:
From South Australia’s famous McLaren Vale wine growing area, the Doc Adams Wine label has, since its establishment in 2005, earned an enviable reputation for excellence in grape selection and wine making. Led by viticulturist Adam Jacobs, the passionate and talented team of DOC ADAMS WINES is dedicated to showcasing the best of McLaren Vale grape growing and winemaking. Within the region, DOC ADAMS WINES styles are produced true to the character & flavours of McLaren Vale. For further information, please contact Sales – Phil Watson on Mob. 0422 291 204, phil@docadamswines.com.au or www.docadamswines.com.au
Tour Down Under | Organisers prepare for bumper year
If you’re
still a fan of professional cycling after the revelations about Lance
Armstrong – and many still are – then there’s really only one place to
be on Australia Day, 2013.
Saturday, January 26, will be the penultimate day of the Tour Down Under. Elite riders from the world’s top 18 professional teams will wind their way through McLaren Vale in South Australia and over the Old Willunga Hill on a course that has become famous for its stunning scenery and friendly scenes.
Following the thrilling finale last year, when Spaniard Alejandro Valverde pipped Australia’s Simon Gerrans on the line at the top of the climb by half a wheel, the Australia Day stage will again finish on the summit.
Another highlight of the Tour Down Under will be stage two, on Wednesday, January 23, which is a 116.5-kilometre ride from Mount Barker to Rostrevor. This stage includes a climb up the Corkscrew Road, famous among Adelaide’s cycling community, before a seven-kilometre downhill run to the finish.
“That’s going to be a very interesting day,” says race director Mike Turtur.
Last year, the Tour Down Under attracted more than 750,000 spectators, including tens of thousands of interstate visitors, and injected more than $40 million into the local economy, according to government figures.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether the scandal that has stung global cycling this month – doping by Armstrong and others, including national coach Matt White, who has stood down from Cycling Australia and the Orica-GreenEDGE cycling team – will result in spectators turning away from the sport when next year’s season gets under way in Adelaide. For now, officials are confident the race will maintain its popularity.
“We’re confident the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under will continue to enjoy strong support from locals and visitors alike,” says Rik Morris, general manager of the South Australian Tourism Commission. “The general public understands that a few doing the wrong thing doesn’t undermine the hard work and effort of the vast majority of people doing the right thing.”
Turtur says it is important for young riders emerging as the next generation of elite cyclists that cycling officials create an environment where cheating is not tolerated.
“Come January and the start of a new season, we have to move forward and look after individuals who are doing the right thing,” he says. “For the youngsters in the sport, we have to create an environment where it’s a level playing field for everyone.”
Given it takes place early in the professional cycling season, the Tour Down Under is an opportunity for younger team members to impress the coaches who will be selecting the grand tour teams later in the year. The course is relatively flat, so most teams will bring a key sprinter and riders who can support fast finishes.
Turtur and other race organisers are talking to the teams about their rosters for the Tour Down Under; final line-ups will be settled by mid-November.
“I’m confident we’re going to have a bumper field, with some nice surprises,” Turtur says.
The cycling festival will open on the evening of Saturday, January 19, when teams will be presented to the public in the Tour village. Racing begins on the evening of Sunday, January 20, when the People’s Choice Classic will be held on a street circuit in Adelaide’s East End. The Tour Down Under itself starts on Tuesday, January 22, with a 135-kilometre stage from Prospect to Lobethal, including a climb up Checker Hill.
Stage three, on Thursday, January 24, will be through the Adelaide Hills, from Unley to Stirling. The next day the riders hit the Barossa Valley, as they ride from Modbury in Adelaide’s north-east to Tanunda.
The final 90 kilometres, on the Sunday, is on the Adelaide City Council street circuit around city parkland and King William Road.
Turtur says the organisers will continue to provide “a well-managed race for the riders to start the year”.
He says he does not think the race will be affected by the drug scandal to the level that some people might expect.
Saturday, January 26, will be the penultimate day of the Tour Down Under. Elite riders from the world’s top 18 professional teams will wind their way through McLaren Vale in South Australia and over the Old Willunga Hill on a course that has become famous for its stunning scenery and friendly scenes.
Following the thrilling finale last year, when Spaniard Alejandro Valverde pipped Australia’s Simon Gerrans on the line at the top of the climb by half a wheel, the Australia Day stage will again finish on the summit.
Another highlight of the Tour Down Under will be stage two, on Wednesday, January 23, which is a 116.5-kilometre ride from Mount Barker to Rostrevor. This stage includes a climb up the Corkscrew Road, famous among Adelaide’s cycling community, before a seven-kilometre downhill run to the finish.
“That’s going to be a very interesting day,” says race director Mike Turtur.
Last year, the Tour Down Under attracted more than 750,000 spectators, including tens of thousands of interstate visitors, and injected more than $40 million into the local economy, according to government figures.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether the scandal that has stung global cycling this month – doping by Armstrong and others, including national coach Matt White, who has stood down from Cycling Australia and the Orica-GreenEDGE cycling team – will result in spectators turning away from the sport when next year’s season gets under way in Adelaide. For now, officials are confident the race will maintain its popularity.
“We’re confident the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under will continue to enjoy strong support from locals and visitors alike,” says Rik Morris, general manager of the South Australian Tourism Commission. “The general public understands that a few doing the wrong thing doesn’t undermine the hard work and effort of the vast majority of people doing the right thing.”
Turtur says it is important for young riders emerging as the next generation of elite cyclists that cycling officials create an environment where cheating is not tolerated.
“Come January and the start of a new season, we have to move forward and look after individuals who are doing the right thing,” he says. “For the youngsters in the sport, we have to create an environment where it’s a level playing field for everyone.”
Given it takes place early in the professional cycling season, the Tour Down Under is an opportunity for younger team members to impress the coaches who will be selecting the grand tour teams later in the year. The course is relatively flat, so most teams will bring a key sprinter and riders who can support fast finishes.
Turtur and other race organisers are talking to the teams about their rosters for the Tour Down Under; final line-ups will be settled by mid-November.
“I’m confident we’re going to have a bumper field, with some nice surprises,” Turtur says.
The cycling festival will open on the evening of Saturday, January 19, when teams will be presented to the public in the Tour village. Racing begins on the evening of Sunday, January 20, when the People’s Choice Classic will be held on a street circuit in Adelaide’s East End. The Tour Down Under itself starts on Tuesday, January 22, with a 135-kilometre stage from Prospect to Lobethal, including a climb up Checker Hill.
Stage three, on Thursday, January 24, will be through the Adelaide Hills, from Unley to Stirling. The next day the riders hit the Barossa Valley, as they ride from Modbury in Adelaide’s north-east to Tanunda.
The final 90 kilometres, on the Sunday, is on the Adelaide City Council street circuit around city parkland and King William Road.
Turtur says the organisers will continue to provide “a well-managed race for the riders to start the year”.
He says he does not think the race will be affected by the drug scandal to the level that some people might expect.
The Australian Financial Review
McLaren Vale beermaker MV Beer Co and Chapel Hill winemaker team up for new craft cider - Dr Pilkington's Miracle Cider
A WELL-KNOWN McLaren Vale beer maker
is taking the craft into a new realm with the national launch of a
cider this month, as it attempts to home in on the drink's rapidly
growing popularity.
MV Beer Company's Dr Pilkington's Miracle Cider, made in collaboration with Chapel Hill Wines, has been picked up by the Woolworths supermarket chain for sale through its Dan Murphy's, BWS and Woolworths Liquor outlets as part of a trial.
Sporting quirky old-time labels that talk of miracle cures, the apple cider will be available on tap across the country and in 500ml bottles from this week through other independent bottle shops, bars and restaurants.
Set up in 2008 by a bunch of craft-beer South Australian mates, MV Beer Company's popularity led to the opening of a new brewery in July this year.
Head brewer Jeff Wright and brand manager Josh Stuart continue to build the business after the exit of co-founders Adam Trippe-Smith and David Prescott last December.
Cider was ``a booming category'', Mr Stuart said.
Until mid this year, the beer, in excess of one million litres per annum , was brewed in Sydney.
The cider, made from locally grown pink lady and granny smith apples is processed on winemaking equipment at the Chapel Hill winery and carbonated and kegged at the new brewery.
"We'd been wanting to do a hand-crafted apple cider that was in line with our philosophy for beer; craft ingredients and processes," Mr Stuart said.
"It's a booming category, and consumers know this.
"We've had hundreds of requests in the past 18 months at festivals and from the trade of if we have a cider. This is where a conversation with Bryn Richards from Chapel Hill came in."
Mr Stuart says plans are to feature its cider claimed to be less sweet than other brands in the market heavily over summer.
Latest research points to cider being the new beverage of choice among 18 to 24-year-olds who drink alcohol.
Recent research by Roy Morgan also reveals the scales are evenly tipped between male and female cider drinkers.
Interestingly, while the proportion of 18-24 year olds who drink alcohol fell from 74.7 per cent in 2008 to 72.2 in 2012, the proportion of cider drinkers has more than tripled, from 5.1 per cent to 18.7 per cent.
Cider consumption by this group has shown a steep increase over the last five years, and it's still growing, despite other alcohol categories declining, says Geoffrey Smith, general manager consumer products at Roy Morgan Research.
"The rise of cider is just part of a shift in Australians' drinking patterns. We can expect to see continuing product and brand innovation in the alcohol sector as marketers respond to the declining consumption of more traditional offerings."
While the cost of cider - sometimes on par with cask wine - may be an important underlying factor, researchers at UK's Brewing Research International have confirmed high levels of health-enhancing antioxidants in cider, on par with red wine.
MV Beer Company also owns the Salopian Inn, now called the VALE/INN Taphouse & Kitchen, which serves the cider and beers along side other global brands.
Adelaide Now :
MV Beer Company's Dr Pilkington's Miracle Cider, made in collaboration with Chapel Hill Wines, has been picked up by the Woolworths supermarket chain for sale through its Dan Murphy's, BWS and Woolworths Liquor outlets as part of a trial.
Sporting quirky old-time labels that talk of miracle cures, the apple cider will be available on tap across the country and in 500ml bottles from this week through other independent bottle shops, bars and restaurants.
Set up in 2008 by a bunch of craft-beer South Australian mates, MV Beer Company's popularity led to the opening of a new brewery in July this year.
Head brewer Jeff Wright and brand manager Josh Stuart continue to build the business after the exit of co-founders Adam Trippe-Smith and David Prescott last December.
Until mid this year, the beer, in excess of one million litres per annum , was brewed in Sydney.
The cider, made from locally grown pink lady and granny smith apples is processed on winemaking equipment at the Chapel Hill winery and carbonated and kegged at the new brewery.
"We'd been wanting to do a hand-crafted apple cider that was in line with our philosophy for beer; craft ingredients and processes," Mr Stuart said.
"It's a booming category, and consumers know this.
"We've had hundreds of requests in the past 18 months at festivals and from the trade of if we have a cider. This is where a conversation with Bryn Richards from Chapel Hill came in."
Mr Stuart says plans are to feature its cider claimed to be less sweet than other brands in the market heavily over summer.
Latest research points to cider being the new beverage of choice among 18 to 24-year-olds who drink alcohol.
Recent research by Roy Morgan also reveals the scales are evenly tipped between male and female cider drinkers.
Interestingly, while the proportion of 18-24 year olds who drink alcohol fell from 74.7 per cent in 2008 to 72.2 in 2012, the proportion of cider drinkers has more than tripled, from 5.1 per cent to 18.7 per cent.
Cider consumption by this group has shown a steep increase over the last five years, and it's still growing, despite other alcohol categories declining, says Geoffrey Smith, general manager consumer products at Roy Morgan Research.
"The rise of cider is just part of a shift in Australians' drinking patterns. We can expect to see continuing product and brand innovation in the alcohol sector as marketers respond to the declining consumption of more traditional offerings."
While the cost of cider - sometimes on par with cask wine - may be an important underlying factor, researchers at UK's Brewing Research International have confirmed high levels of health-enhancing antioxidants in cider, on par with red wine.
MV Beer Company also owns the Salopian Inn, now called the VALE/INN Taphouse & Kitchen, which serves the cider and beers along side other global brands.
Adelaide Now :
- October 15, 2012
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