Come one, come all WORDS Em Worthington Delightful wines, salt-of-the-earth people, a stunning new cellar door and a bulldog named Marj — Oliver’s Taranga, you have our hearts!
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McLaren Vale adventure with a stop at Oliver’s Taranga has always been a joy. This family-owned and run vineyard sings of a passion for hospitality and a love of wine that runs deep. They nail the region’s traditional varieties, like Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro; and they’re enticing us to sip on emerging varieties, like Fiano, Vermentino and Mencia, too. They also make quince gin, which is served with oranges or mulberries from the property… Stop. It! Over 182 years, six generations of the Oliver family have faced challenges with a resolution to come out better, and the impact of the global pandemic has been no different.
Puppy love
Ohh, Marj… you delightful little ball of puppiness! If all this isn’t enough to entice, wait until you’re greeted by real boss, Marj — the fam’s twelve-month-old bulldog. Melting!
DRINK: OLIVER’S TARANGA
The reno
It was a huge undertaking in the middle of a pandemic, but the family has swung open the doors to their new jaw-dropping cellar door, which makes you feel like you’re sitting smack-bang in the middle of the luscious 110-hectare vineyard. “Our original cellar door was the tiny stone worker’s cottage built by our family’s first generation. It was beautiful and historic, but we could only fit four people in there. Now, we can welcome so many more. It’s only taken us 182 years to look this good!” jokes Winemaker and Director Corrina Wright. By seamlessly merging the old with the new, the family’s vision has come to life, with a rustic recycled red brick entrance, a 10-metre tasting bench and striking expansive all-weather deck. “We want you to feel personally hosted and like part of the family when you visit; and maybe leave having learnt something new, too,” Corrina says.
Exceptional experiences
A cellar door visit is magnificent in itself, but to go next level, check out this menu of good times… Tastes of Taranga – Get up close and personal with the range of mouthwatering wines. The Greats Reserve Series Tasting – Let the team guide you through a tasting of reserve wines on the deck or in the new cellar door.
Taranga Terroir Vineyard Experience – Jump on board Ollie (a six-seater golf cart) for a hosted tasting in the vineyards, right where the grapes are grown; then enjoy a private tasting in the original cellar door, which has also had a facelift. The Oliver team knows viticulture like the back of their hand, and they’ll answer your questions or chat vino until the cows come home. “Regardless of which experience you choose, we want you to feel wowed. There’s also plenty of fun at of our events, like our Porchetta or Paella Parties — but they book out quickly, so follow our social accounts or sign up to stay in the loop,” Corrina says. @oliverstaranga oliverstaranga.com
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04-Adelady 066-079 Issue007 2022.indd 69
4/4/22 11:34 am
