Brown Brothers, a major force in the Australian wine industry, has signed a contract to purchase chardonnay grapes from Bellarine Peninsula vineyard, Leura Park Estate with a view to using them for its flagship ‘Patricia’ range of wines.  The contract is the culmination of an extensive 12 month search for top quality cool climate Chardonnay grapes to complement fruit sourced from Brown Brothers’ renowned high altitude vineyard at Whitlands.

Here's couple of the most recent comments. . .

Huon Hooke - Sydney Morning Herald - Good Living 23/3/10

TOP AUSSIE WHITE - Rating 95/100

Leura Park Estate BLOCK 1 Reserve Hand picked Chardonnay, Bellarine Peninsula 2008

A terrifically complex wine from Geelong's maritime sub-region.  With minerally, honey and lees-influenced aromas, it's full bodied and rich but the acidity keeps it jumping.  Heaps of character and charm.

Huon Hooke - Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE April/May 2010 Top New Releases - Australian Whites 

Leura Park Estate BLOCK 1 Reserve Chardonnay 2008 Rating 95 - FIVE STAR

A challenging, out-there style, with lots of sulphury, struck-flint, lees and matchstick aromas.  Lively yet rich and full-bodied, it's packed with flavour, including a smidge of honey, and high acidity keeps it jumping

Halliday Wine Companion 2010

25 d'Gris Pinot Gris 2008 - Rating 91/100

Scores well for its texture, balance and considerable length with notes of green apple and nashi pear; sophisticated winemaking.

Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Rating 94/100

Bright and light colour, a wine that bursts into song on its very intense and long palate; the fruit flavours exactly pitched at perfect ripeness, with citrus, passionfruit and herb running through to lingering finish

Tim White - The Australian Financial Review   - WINE - What to Drink 27/02/09

94/100. "A Cracker"

Leura Park Estate Shiraz 2007

'The palate is easy, with a lightness in the middle, but still plummy, intermingling with fine oak, cracked pepper and tannins.  Real sparkle, with bitter chocolate and forest berry pips to finish.  A Cracker. 94/100 Great value at $24.95 direct'

Paddy Kendler - The Herald Sun
Extra Food Supplement 11/11/08
Leura Park Estate Shiraz 2007 - 5 Stars - UNBEATABLE

'Now under dynamic new ownership, with a cellar door ideally situated on the Geelong-Portarlington highway and with winemaking expertise provided by the team at De Bortoli's Yarra Valley winery, Leura Park is a label to watch.  This '07 Shiraz won the only gold medal in its varietal class at the recent Geelong Wine Show and deservedly so.  Attractive red and blackberry fruit flavours laced with pepper and spice and well integrated oak; smooth texture, gentle, dry tannins and well poised'.

Phillip Stubbs - Wine Jury - The Geelong Advertiser - 18/10/08
Leura Park Estate Vintage Grand Cuvee
Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay 2008
Rating 8.8/10

'What a surprise packet this sparkling wine turned out to be.  The light salmon blush is an attractive start, with the fine persistent bubble filling the glass with real sparkle.  This is a seriously good, young wine showing smooth texture, restrained citrus flavours and a delicate strawberry finish'.

ALL YEAR AROUND. . .

Grab a deck chair, cruise on the lawn, enjoy live music from the 60's, 70's and 80's EVERY SUNDAY at Leura Park Estate!  An array of great contemporary musicians will be performing at the Cellar Door! 12 - 5pm. . .

sooooo, come in and taste some fine wine. . .indulge in a gourmet pizza or platter and kick back on the lawn to some great sound!

It's such a wonderful event, we just had to get involved last year and we are back into it this year!!  Not just a little bit but as a Community Partner!!  With a host of sensational artists coming in from all over the world and Oz, this year's Celtic Festival 2010 will be bigger and better than ever!  What better place to kick back and savour some of this region's best local wine?!  Look out for the Wine Bars (there are two!) but most of all. . .HAVE FUN!  For more information, www.nationalcelticfestival.com

The weather is getting cooler. . .and we are getting pumped about bringing back the sensational . . .HOT ROCKS - ineractive cuisine!

Bambino slabs of granite sizzling on your table. . . King Island beef, asian infused chicken, Yugoslavian cevapcipipis, Greek lamb. . .as and when you like it.

All ready to be savoured with your favourite glass (or bottle!) of Leura Park Estate wine!

In the meantime, lots of culinary delights on offer. . .Al Fresco Grazing platters (all home made and seriously yummy), sexy Summer salads, Yum Cha Bamboo Pot, not to mention the ever popular Salt & Pepper Calamari w. Greek Salad. . .

It was sooo good. . .who would go to the races when you could come to Toast to the Coast?!  Toast to the Coast '09 was nothing short of fabulous!  Thanks to all who came and celebrated the weekend with us. . .we all had a ball!

Just a few things that happened. . .

TEST PILOT MOLLY, Geelong's premier cover band, were back, live on the lawn rocking on to the best of the 60's, 70's and 80's!!  12 - 6pm both days!!

The Great Wine Spit inaugural competition was hilarious!  Not only did we see some great (and not so great!) wine spitting techniques. . .the gold coin donations went toward  supporting Barwon Health so it was a win win!

New Release Premium Wine Tastintgs - it was the premiere of our Gold Medal winning Block 1, hand picked reserve Chardonnay as well as our latest baby, Vintage Sparkling Blanc de Blanc. . .

Delectable Edibles big FAT Kanjskes in Damper, Salt & Pepper Calamari Cones, stunning cheese platters, Hot & Spicy Kumara wedges not to mention Wicked Mini Dutch Pancakes!  Other treats included Halleleura Olive Oil tastings, local produce for sale, fab giftware and, of course. . .BEER! We already have our thinking caps on about what to dish up for Toast in 2010. . .

Nothing else like it in Australia. . . custom built to pamper Leura Park Estate patrons!

Come and see for yourself what everyone is talking about!  Complete with spikes and a finesse all its own - someone said it looks like Lisa Simpson's hair! (except blue and white stripes. . .) Inside it's even better - lots of rustic chic - and loads of serious atmosphere and dining room. . .The main thing is - you'll be warm, you'll be toasty. . .AND you'll enjoy the same great, friendly atmosphere, great food and sensational Leura Park Estate premium wines!!  Oh, and the same great Sunday music ALL WINTER and on and on . . .menu updates all the time as well. . .stay tuned!!

Up against 660 entries representing the best cool climate wines in the world, Leura Park Estate brought home 4 Bronze Medals in the International Cool Climate Wine Show 2009 recently!! Soon to be proudly displaying medal regalia are our Sparkling Pinot Chadonnay '08 and VOIX de la TERRE Sauvignon Blanc '08 as well as our not even released yet Chardonnay '08 and Shiraz '08!!

We are ecstatic!  It's definitely Wine o'clock!!!

A hand picked ’07 Shiraz from a tiny 1.5 acre block took out the coveted Gold Medal in the largest class at the 2008 Geelong Wine Show...