Bellevue Bed and Breakfast McLaren Vale

SALA Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 04:41:00 +0000

The South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival is the largest visual arts festival in Australia. Its extensive state-wide program of visual arts involves more than 3000 artists and 500 venues that celebrate the diverse talents of South Australian artists.

Don’t miss your chance to journey through some of this year’s best collections, held in various places and spaces to support the very best of visual art in the state

Some of exhibitions in and around McLaren Vale

A SALA Festival 2015 art exhibition of 8 Fleurieu Peninsula artists.

Venue: Stump Hill Gallery.

Join us at the opening Sunday August 9th at 2pm for wine, nibbles and chat with our artists.
Opening Speaker Penny Griggs General Manager SALA.

All 8 artists are blessed to reside in the Southern Fleurieu region of Adelaide and are inspired to show in our various mediums: ceramics, jewellery, painting, photography, sculpture & textiles.

Artists:

Corey Dodd,
Dana Kinter ( Dana Kinter Art ),
Eileen Lubiana,
Michele Nooteboom( Nuttree Studio,)
Warren Pickering,
Anna Small ( A Small Art Factory ),
Kim Thomson ( Kim Thomson Jewellery ) and
Sarah Wood

An exhibition of flowers by Angela Palios

SALA Exhibition - 'Anthi'
August 1st – September 27th
Thursday & Friday 9 am – 12 noon
Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 2 pm

Venue:

Willunga Uniting Church

Description

An exhilarating exhibition inspired mostly by coastal summer life. Victoria’s simple but quirky stitched art, and Jen’s bright local fauna and flora in mixed media.

Venue Details

DogRidge Cellar Door and Gallery

129 Bagshaws Road McLaren Vale 5171

Description

A realist, specializing in painting and drawing, for whom every day brings a myriad of visual gifts. Christine's aim is to capture the essence of that which inspires her, drawn from complexity and beauty of the natural world in its many forms. Light, colour, shape, form, texture, space and change all contribute to her vast palette, from which she extracts the works that bring us all so much joy.

Venue Details

Hugo Winery
246 Elliott Road McLaren Flat 5171

Description

A wonderland of metal geometric shapes and fruit sculptures along with life size animals and inspirations from nature.

Venue Details

Maxwell Wines

19 Olivers Road McLaren Vale 5171

Participating Artists

Rod Manning,

Judy Manning,

Ty Manning,

Trent Manning

Description

8 of South Australia’s most fabulous artists, established alongside up n’ coming, set against a Penny’s Hill Winery backdrop. An outstanding eclectic exhibition, from the aged talents of Dridan, the emerging watercolourist Thompson, plus the brilliance, expression and abstraction of Kellet, Lacey, Newman, O’Callaghan, O’Malley & Riley.

Venue Details

Penny's Hill Winery

281 Main Road McLaren Vale 5171

Participating Artists

David Dridan OAM,

Gail Kellett,

John Lacey,

Trevor Newman,

Tom O'Callaghan,

Brian O'Malley,

Suzie Riley

Sam Thompson

Description

Dave Trengove is a South Australian impressionist landscape artist who captures the changeable and lyrical moods of the incredible South Australian countryside. In Dave’s travels from the coast to the outback, he breathes in the spirit and character of the land to render his canvas with the energy he experiences in nature. Whether harsh or lush, Dave captures the feeling of the land, sea and sky and shares it with the viewer through his artwork.

Venue Details

Serafino Winery McLaren Vale
Participating Artists

Dave Trengove

Adelaide Oval Stadium Stomp

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 04:21:00 +0000

We participated in the Adelaide Oval Stadium Stomp on Sunday 14^th June

Stadium Stomp takes stair climbing and endurance events to a whole new level. It's the ultimate stair climbing challenge held at some of Australia’s largest and most well known stadiums.

Adelaide - Adelaide Oval
Brisbane - GABBA
Melbourne - MCG
Sydney - SCG

On Sunday 14^th June both Jenny & I lined up with 1,100 other participants running up and down each of Adelaide Oval stadium bays — a total of about 6500 steps — before completing a lap of the oval to finish.

We had weeks of training, both at the gym and out and about in the wonderful McLaren Vale Wine Region.

I am delighted to say I was the first across the finishing line:

Mysterious journey: How did this seal pup end up in a farmer's paddock with cows more than 35 km from the coast?

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 28 May 2015 03:59:00 +0000

A baby fur seal is recovering at Adelaide Zoo, after being found 35km from the sea in a cattle farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

A local farmer made the surprise discovery on Tuesday morning, when he was checking up on his cows which were acting strangely in the paddock. The male fur seal, weighing only 8.8kg was found laying next to a fence among his cows - a long way from where he belongs.

It is a mystery how the baby fur seal ended up at the farm in Bletchley, between Strahalbyn and Woodchester.

The closest lake is Lake Alexandrina, 20km away, while the sea is a 35km hike away from where the seal was found.

The Environment Department was called to the rescue, and the mammal was then transferred to Adelaide Zoo to undergo veterinary checks.

Adelaide Zoo kept the seal overnight and will be monitoring him closely over the next few days, hoping to release him back into the wild as soon as he puts on some weight.

There are less than 15,000 wild fur seals in Australia, most of which live in South Australia.

Vale Brewing starts beer and cheese party

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 27 May 2015 03:42:00 +0000

A South Australian brewer has become the main sponsor of Australia's largest cheese festival, replacing wine in the traditional food and drink pairing.

Vale Brewing, the McLaren Vale based brewers of Vale Ale and other beers, has signed up to be the naming rights sponsor for the tenth annual CheeseFest in Adelaide in October.

General Manager of Vale Brewing, Michael Hanton, said that they agreed to sponsor the decade-old event because the festival is all about combining good food and good times.

"There is a good mix of restaurants and wineries involved, so it's natural beer should be involved too," Michael said.

He said Vale Brewing had participated in past CheeseFests and had done beer tastings, cheese pairings and provided beer for chefs to use in cooking demonstrations. This year they will support local chefs and fresh-food ambassadors Simon Bryant and Callum Hahn.

Head Brewer Jeff Wright said beer and cheese clearly complement each other and the festival was a good way for people to develop their own pairings.

"Beer and cheese matching is very much the new black," he said.

Wright added that, similar to wine, matching beer and cheese depended on personal tastes but finding complementary flavours was important.

"Milder cheeses go with the more mild lager flavours," Wright said. "Big blue cheese flavours go with IPA's and Belgian beers."

"You need to look at the influence that hops, malt, alcohol levels and carbonation add and how they interact with the flavour and texture of the cheese," he said.

Wright stressed that to receive the full flavour experience you need to have the cheese and beer combine in your mouth at the same time.

CheeseFest Director Kris Lloyd said the festival continued to gain momentum.

"This was a concept that started on a dinner napkin and it has evolved into a much-loved festival that brings so many people together to celebrate cheese," Lloyd said.

"In 2005 we had just 800 people. Last year, there was a record crowd of 20,000. This year, for the first time, it will begin on a Friday night and will continue over the weekend."

Wright's picks for pairing:
Vale Ale - pepper hard cheese
Vale Lager - smooth cheddar
Vale IPA - blue cheese
Vale Dark Lager - vintage cheddar

Article by Jim Plouffe of TheShout.com.au

Top class destination to celebrate the McLaren Vale Sea & Vines.

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 14 May 2015 04:04:00 +0000

Are you looking for a top class destination from which to celebrate the McLaren Vale Sea & Vines festival?

The how about an authentic 10 course Thai banquet by chef Nu Suandokmai served family style with matching Woodstock wines

Sunday 7th June & Monday 8th June from 12pm onwards.

$120 per lunch – Bookings online or call 08 8383 0156

FOOD & WINE

ENTREES

1/2 Lobster, Diced King Prawn and Squid Salad Thai style
2014 Woodstock ‘Twiggy’ Blanc de Blancs or 2013

Woodstock ‘Mary McTaggart’ Riesling

Prawn Dumpling with Red Chilli and Chilli Oil
2015 Woodstock Grenache Rosé

Roasted Duck Salad wrapped in Eggnet
2013 Woodstock ‘The OCTOgenarian’ Grenache Tempranillo

Twice cooked Pork Hock wtih fresh Plum sauce, sesame seeds and Thai Nam Jim chilli sauce
2013 Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano

MAINS

Thai Green Curry Prawn Balls
2015 Woodstock Semillon Sauvignon

Thai Style chargrilled chicken with lemongrass and coconut sambal

2015 Woodstock Semillon Sauvignon Blanc or

2013 Woodstock Shiraz

Grilled Atlantic Salmon Fillet wrapped in Banana Leaf, served with Red Curry sauce
2011 Woodstock Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Braised beef cheek with crispy kale
2012 Woodstock ‘Collett Lane’ Cabernet Sauvignon or

2012 Woodstock ‘Pilot’s View’ Shiraz

DESSERT

Mango Panna Cotta
2014 Woodstock ‘Little Miss Collett’ Moscato

Pandan Cake with Jackfruit Puree and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
2013 Woodstock Botrytis Semillon

Entertainment by Acoustic local talent Jaye Holly Duo

BOOKINGS: Purchase Tickets here

Book your ACCOMMODATION: https://bellevuebnb.com.au/search-for-accommodation

Less than a 10 minute drive from Bellevue B&B to Woodstock

Ian Moss in the Vale for Sea & Vines

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Mon, 11 May 2015 02:28:00 +0000

Ian Moss will be headlining at Serafino for the Sea & Vines festival in 2015.

It's a triumphant return for 'Mossy', who last performed to an enraptured audience in Serafino's beautiful barrel room in July 2014.

Respected as one of Australia’s iconic musicians, and a five-time ARIA winner, Ian delivers an unforgettable sound - not only as a telling soloist on guitar, but especially with his silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul.

Ian’s distinctive vocal is the essential signature of his soulful, bluesy music as it has been since his first tentative foray into music during the early 1970s.

Ian will be performing all of the classic hits from his well renowned Six Strings album as well as the big hitters from his Let’s All Get Together and Soul on West 53rd albums.

The show on June 7 will include all the Cold Chisel / Ian Moss classics, performed as only Ian can.

Tickets are $90 per person, and includes; Sea and Vines wine glass, arrival drink and standing two course light lunch.

The event is from 11.30am to 7pm, with support acts Dino Jag and DJ Hollywood.

Sea & Vines runs over the long weekend, June 5, 6, 7, 8 and is part of the largest wine-region event in South

Click here to read full article in the Victor Harbor Times

The 2015 Fleurieu Peninsula whale season draws near

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 07 May 2015 05:03:00 +0000

Anticipation to see whales in Fleurieu waters is building, as the official start to the season draws near.
South Australian Whale Centre co-ordinator Leah Pippos said her team is 'extremely excited' about what this whale season may hold for the region.

"We hope to see many people down along our coast enjoying the spectacular sight of whales, which we are so privileged to see every year," she said.

The first - and last - whale sighted along the south coast to date this year was on March 30. However, one Southern Right Whale was spotted in Kangaroo Island’s waters on April 14, and another was seen two days later.

Officially, the whale season runs from June 1 to October 31.

Miss Pippos said the centre is hoping to see more whales around the Fleurieu this year compared to 2014. She said at the moment, it is ‘extremely difficult’ to identify each individual whale while they are here and as such, how many whales can be recorded each season.

“In truth, in 2013 we saw probably closer to 50 or 60 individual whales, but until we can identify them individually, it's really just an educated guess,” she said.

“Last year we saw less whales, however this is common as they seem to run in three-year cycles.”
She said factors that may affect whale numbers include reduced food supplies, hotter or colder water in the Fleurieu and boating activities.

"With the depletion of kill in Antarctica from the harvesting of krill for oil tablets, more boats on the water, seismic testing and water temperature could all play a part in the number of whales we see," she said.

Miss Pippos urged the public to make themselves familiar with whale regulations in the Fleurieu.
Elizabeth Steele-Collins of Waipinga has been a volunteer whale spotter for the centre for a number of years.

She said there is excitement and anticipation building among whale spotters.

This included wonder about the possibility of identifying some of their favourite whales, including Milky Way, a rare Grey Morph that returned to Encounter Bay three years in a row.

“Individual identification is the key to being able to track their movements,” she said.
“It is so exciting learning each season a little more about where they go and what they do.”
Mrs Steele-Collins said she always gets excited when she spots a whale.

“There is always excitement and also a sense of awe just knowing how amazing these creatures are, how large they are and how far they have travelled to get here.”
To report a whale sighting, phone 8551 0759 or 1800 WHALES (1900 942 537) or put in a report at www.sawhalecentre.com.au

Article taken from the Victor Harbor Times

Novel based on Fleurieu Peninsula released by author Dianne Maguire

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 07 May 2015 05:00:00 +0000

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

Satirical series showcases South Australian wine regions

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 07 May 2015 04:52:00 +0000

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.

This article was first published on The Lead.

Click here for this article as it appeared in in the InDaily Newspaper
Candice Keller | 1 May 2015

Tour Down Under - 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:40:00 +0000

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.

Halliday McLaren Vale Wine Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:32:00 +0000

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.”

McLaren Vale Shiraz News: DOC ADAMS WINES Celebrates with a Trophy and Two Gold Medals at the 2012 Cartesian McLaren Vale Wine Show

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 05:14:00 +0000

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

Source: WaterBridge PR
Posted Friday, October 26, 2012 at 6:00 PM CDT - Permalink

Tour Down Under | Organisers prepare for bumper year

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 05:11:00 +0000

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.

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 05:09:00 +0000

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 :

Valerina Changarathil
October 15, 2012 10:00PM

Australian First: Mobile 3D Cinema ‘Under the Stars’

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:15:00 +0000

South Australian company Jumbo Vision International is proud to be the technical force behind the first series of the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ events at Leconfield in McLaren Vale. Established in 1991, Jumbo Vision is an industry leader in the field of 3D presentation and visualisation technology.

Jumbo Vision is providing a massive 3D screen, 2D and 3D projection system and sound system for this unique blend of live entertainment and outdoor cinema. Jumbo Vision also produced the first movie in the series, ‘Colours of Australia’. This was filmed entirely in Digital 3D, with the majority of editing occurring in South Australia. Even the musical score was composed by up and coming South Australian composer, Alexander Waite Mitchell, making a South Australian premiere even more special.

3D! 'Colours of Australia' Saturday 10th March;
2D! Red Dog - AACTA Award Winning Aussie Classic Movie Sunday 11th March;
3D! Pirates of the Caribbean- On Stranger Tides Saturday 7th April

Leconfield is extremely proud and excited to be hosting the inaugural SA screening of the breathtakingly beautiful snapshot of life in Australia - Colours of Australia. Colours of Australia took five years to produce and is a 50 minute, real life journey set in 3D, showcasing Australia's beauty and enviable lifestyle across all facets. This will feature on Saturday evening, 10th March, at 9pm, supported from 7pm by ‘Laura Hill & The Tuesday Bandits’ - back by popular demand to the Leconfield stage.

On Sunday 11th March, completing this 'cinema-with-entertainment long weekend', Australia's new cult classic – Red Dog – will be screened at 9pm. Setting the mood from 7pm will be popular band ‘Jump Daddys’.

On both evenings - 10th & 11th March - gates will open at 6:30pm so that there is time to pick a spot, purchase some food and, of course, a wine or beer to accompany before the entertainment begins.

On Easter Saturday 7th April, Pirates of the Caribbean- On Stranger Tides, will delight the audience as it will also be screened in 3D. With the lively Caribbean sounds of ‘Salcedo’ setting the 'salsa' rhythm from 6:30pm, leading up to the feature at 8:30pm, the evening will complete the season's trilogy of this unique style of event - 'live' entertainment followed by Outdoor Cinema.

Both Jumbo Vision and Leconfield look forward to seeing you there for these out-of-this-world events!
About Jumbo Vision International

Jumbo Vision International Pty Ltd is a proudly Australian leader in providing and realising 3D display technology for both fun and serious applications.

They also produce 3D content, with a 3D movie 'Colours of Australia' now completed.

They love excitement and getting a 'WOW' reaction from their audiences!

About Leconfield Wines
Leconfield is a great Aussie winery owned by fifth generation winemaker Richard Hamilton and his wife Jette. They are located in McLaren Vale, South Australia and regularly host events such as 'A Day on the Green'.

Drawn to the landscape of the Vale

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:04:00 +0000

THE Fleurieu remains an inspiration for artists competing for the world's richest landscape art prize.

ARTIST Dee Jones lives at Port Willunga, drawn there by the beach, the sea, and the stunning McLaren Vale vistas. For the past half century she has painted the orderly landscapes of the farms, the almond and olive groves, and vineyards framed by the hills on one side, the sea on the other. Her paintings, naive in style, always include the farmers.

"The best landscapers are farmers," she says. "They somehow, unconsciously perhaps, arrange the landscape in those lovely patches and squares and oblongs, to produce really beautiful patterns. And McLaren Vale, because it is in a vale, has the background of the hills, and it's just got everything so far as I am concerned. It's visually very, very beautiful."

Dee Jones grew up on a vineyard and almond grove when you could still find such farms in today's suburban Oaklands. She moved to McLaren Vale after her marriage to the local chemist. But much of her childhood was spent at Port Willunga. Her uncle, hotelier Ralph Parsons, owned the big house overlooking the beach, and she would go fishing there with her father and grandfather.

As children, she and her cousins knew the famous artists who lived and painted there, like Ivor Hele, Horace Trennerry and Kathleen Sauerbier, but through their eyes they were just eccentric old people. "We as little kids used to think Horace Trennerry was an old drunk," she says. "We didn't know he was sick (with Huntington's Chorea)." She remembers him living still in "old Mrs Polkinghorne's house", the stand-alone house on the southern side of the beach that is today preserved as a ruin. It features in some of Trennerry's most evocative paintings.

Kathleen Sauerbier lived on the Old Port Road, and the kids were amazed to see her one day pruning the ivy wearing nothing but a towel around her waist. Dee's cousin Ralph breathlessly reported being witness to a huge argument between Sauerbier and Trennerry when his mother Lorna asked him to drop something off from their kitchen. Young Ralph confided he had learned some new swear words.

Fisherman Bill Howe would sit on the cliff watching for fish and call down to his sons Geoff and Kevin when he saw a school. Dee remembers the sea turning pink with blood as the Howes gutted a net full of salmon trout, with two sharks lolling in the water nearby. That was the same Geoff Howe, she says, who posed nude riding his horse bare-back along the beach for Ivor Hele.

Landscape artists have been deeply attracted to the Fleurieu since Colonel William Light first painted it, but the McLaren Vale region has had a particular attraction, and within that region, Port Willunga has been like a lure, a muse, if you like, of the artist's focus. Instantly recognisable landscapes of South Australia are the misty gums of the Adelaide Hills, the rugged purples of the Flinders Ranges, and the McLaren Vale: undulating straight dirt roads through farm country and the beaches and parapets of Port Willunga.

The early modernists like Sauerbier and Trennerry used it to define their painting styles in the 1920s, Ivor Hele used it for its muscular textures, and a new generation took over when they left off. Dee Jones was deliberately naive, Geoff Wilson and the late David Dallwitz took to it with their flat formalistic palette, while David Dridan, Brian Seidel, Hugo Shaw and many others were constantly drawn there.

Artist, caricaturist and art teacher Hugo Shaw remembers the primitive Port Willunga of the 1940s, when his father Richard, the SA manager of Johnson and Johnson, first started renting a local cottage. "We had an ice chest, drip safe, no electricity, and a chip heater shower," he recalls. He has spent much of his life there since the age of six. "I knew Ivor Hele very well. John Dowie painted there, and Anton Riebe. I don't know what it is but when you are there and you look at the colours and dirt and the clay and the rocks and the sand and the sea and it's always changing and moving, with this huge sky, and it's part of you as a person growing up. But it has more than that. It looks easy to paint and draw but it's blindingly difficult I find. I must have painted the jetty 200 times but every time I go back it is more difficult than the time before." He would meet Hele once a month, after drawing studies of himself in the mirror, and Hele would correct and advise him in the academic manner. "He actually just taught me to see, in simple terms."

Port Willunga was a kind of epicentre for a landscape art movement that extended across McLaren Vale and down the Fleurieu Peninsula. Heysen painted along the Bluff at Victor Harbor, and Dorrit Black painted along the western side of the peninsula. Robert Hannaford paints there still. Artists Geoff Wilson and Dave Dallwitz became familiar figures in the McLaren Vale landscape in the 1970s. They could be found painting en plein air in the time-honoured fashion, where artists stand at their easel and paint the landscape before them. Wilson, now in his '80s, paints on.

"In 1949 ... I caught the Briscoe's bus down to Aldinga. I had rented a room at the Aldinga Hotel and then (fellow artist) Brian Seidel came down and joined me and we used to walk down Old Port Road to Port Willunga." No one had a car at that stage, although by the early '50s, Seidel had the ice truck from his Glenelg ice round; perfect for carrying artist's gear. "I think once you got to the top of Tapleys Hill after that, it all seemed to be rolling farm country with hamlets like Reynella and Morphett Vale. There was no suburban development at all. Someone said it was the only landscape they had ever seen where golden wheatfields hit the shore against the blue sea."

Those pristine landscapes that Wilson remembers from the 1940s are long gone, but he hopes the area will interest rising new generations of artists.

The Fleurieu Art Prize, which opened last night, is the world's richest landscape art prize, and a celebration of a long history of landscape art in the region. Its $50,000 main prize, and $10,000 associated prizes are supported by wineries and other businesses in the region. Wineries like Wirra Wirra, Hardy's, d'Arenberg, Fox Creek and Chapel Hill are hosting exhibitions until December 5.

The main prize is to be announced on November 12 at Hardy's Tintara Winery. Details at artprize.com.au

by: Tim Lloyd
From: The Advertiser
November 05, 2011 12:05AM

An eco-friendly drop

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:42:00 +0000

MORE than 40 McLaren Vale vineyards are now a step closer to receiving certification for their sustainability.

The McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association last week released the first round of results from its Generational Farming program, which measured the sustainability of 41 member vineyards.

The program aims to encourage grape growers to use more eco-friendly practices to improve McLaren Vale’s longevity for food and wine production.

Vineyards were given scores for areas such as pest and disease control, soil and weed management, and water usage.

Individual results were released only to the vineyard owner, while overall results were made public (see fact file).

Association CEO Elizabeth Tasker said growers would need to produce high-level results over three years and be audited by a third party before they could receive sustainability accreditation.

“The results help to put McLaren Vale on the map for sustainability,” she said.

“Global research shows consumers are more likely to chose the wine made from a more sustainable vineyard. It’s not unlike fair trade for coffee.”

Chalk Hill viticulturalist Jock Harvey said the program was a first for a wine region in Australia.

“We didn’t want a situation where people just stuck a label on their bottles with words like `sustainable’ or `eco-friendly’ to increase sales,” Mr Harvey said.

“Generational Farming is a credible program which will allow only the most sustainable vineyards to gain certification.

“And the aim is not really about marketing - it’s about maintaining this area as a wine and food region for years to come.”

(Messenger newspaper; 28 Sep 11 by Katelin Nelligah)

Sade playing at Day on The Green

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Sade
Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
Saturday, December 3, 2011

The hottest tour of the US summer is heading for Australia. Timeless and enduring,

Sade will perform their first Australian shows in more than 20 years when they make a long overdue and much-awaited return this December.

The more than two-hour long spell-binding set list takes fans on a journey through a collection of timeless hits; from the iconic ‘Smooth Operator’, ‘The Sweetest Taboo’, ‘Your Love Is King’ and ‘Is it a Crime?’ to ‘Soldier of Love’. Dubbed by US audiences as a ‘must see - the concert tour of the year’, the critics have been left similarly awestruck by the sultry and flawless performances.

Showtimes

5.00pm Gates Open
6.00pm Opener
7.00pm Main Support
8.30pm Sade

Ticket Type Price
General Admission $ 121.00 AUD
Silver Reserved Seat $ 149.00 AUD
Gold Reserved Seat $ 199.00 AUD
Platinum Reserved Seat $ 299.00 AUD
Concert & Dining Package $ 398.00 AUD

Accommodaiton is avaialble at Bellevue: Click Here to Book

Protecting McLaren Vale - Nick Stock

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 08:31:00 +0000

Here is a fabulous over view of McLaren Vale. The only thing not mentioned is staying in the region.

So there is only one real place to consider: Bellevue B&B on Chalk Hill Road.

We have live availability and secure booking facility: Click here to book.

This way you get to enjoy this wonderful region from a wonderful location.

South Australian Business Awards announced on 22 July

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Fourteen of South Australia’s outstanding small and medium businesses are in contention to win the 2011 Telstra South Australian Business Awards this Friday 19 July.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Hilton, Adelaide from 6.30pm.

The Awards are in their 19th year of celebrating the State’s best entrepreneurs and innovators in the small and medium sector. They include the prestigious title of South Australian Business of the Year.

There are seven Awards with two new categories in 2011. The new Awards are:

The Telstra Regional Business Award which will recognise the best business located outside the metropolitan area of Adelaide;

The Blackberry® People’s Choice Award which is open to all entrants in the Awards and is decided by a public vote.

South Australian winners receive a share of the $500,000 in cash and prizes, become part of an exclusive national business alumni, and proceed to the national Awards in Melbourne on 26 August 2011.

The finalists for the 2011 Telstra South Australian Business Awards are:

Business Owner Micro-Business Award

Bellevue Bed & Breakfast: McLaren Vale
Brazcom Imports: Glenelg North
DVE Business Solutions Pty Ltd: Mount Barker
Lights at 133: Mount Gambier
Tour Barossa: Tanunda

MYOB Small Business Award

Health and Life: Adelaide
Hern Financial Services: Eastwood
LBW Environment Pty Ltd: Norwood
North Adelaide Fitness Centre: Ovingham

Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award

Beerenberg Farm: Hahndorf
Cowell Electric Supply Pty Ltd: Cowell
KeyInvest: Adelaide
SCF Group: Mile End

AMP Innovation Award

Cowell Electric Supply Pty Ltd: Cowell
North Adelaide Fitness Centre: Ovingham
SCF Group: Mile End

Yellow Pages Social Responsibility Award

Caramel: Adelaide
Cowell Electric Supply Pty Ltd: Cowell
Health and Life: Adelaide
KeyInvest: Adelaide
Lights at 133" Mount Gambier
SCF Group Mile End

Congrats to green builder in NT

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:02:00 +0000

Finally a builder designing homes to suit the Top End’s unique climate! Since 2007 Justin and Karinda Gill have been building environmentally sustainable homes. Abode New Homes includes solar hot water, solar power, 5 star energy efficiency and inverter air-conditioning in every home it builds.

Bellevue B&B is a Telstra Business Awards Finalist.

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:19:00 +0000

Hi everyone
We are stoked to let you know that we have been named as a finalist in the 2011 Telstra Business Awards – Micro Business Category, (that’s for business with 5 full time employees or less).

The gala night and announcement of the winners will be on the 22nd July at the Hilton.

There are 14 SA finalists for this year’s Awards.

Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Deena Shiff, says analysis of the finalists’ business performance shows:

More than 50% of the finalists’ new business in the past year came from either existing customers or referrals from those customers.

All but two of the finalists specifically trained staff in the past year to improve customer service.

Twelve say almost 90% of customers are satisfied with their services;
All finalists say the majority of their staff are aware of who the company’s best customers are.

“The best South Australian finalists clearly have a commitment to providing top customer service that underpins their business growth,” Deena says.
Face-to-face feedback, surveys, newsletters, packages for new customers and rewards were among the most common methods South Australian finalists used to develop and nurture customer relationships.

The Telstra Regional Business Award will recognise the best business located outside the metropolitan area of Adelaide.

The BlackBerry People’s Choice Award is open to all entrants in the Telstra Business Awards. The Award is decided by a public vote.

Winners of the Telstra South Australian Business Awards will be announced at the Hilton Adelaide on 22 July. The national Awards are in Melbourne on 26 August.

SA wine region development to go ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:23:00 +0000

A controversial housing development at the gateway to South Australia's McLaren Vale wine region will go ahead despite opposition from winemakers.

Winemakers opposed the plans because the Seaford Heights site is the strategic entry point to the wine and food tourism region.

Urban Development Minister John Rau says that after consulting the community he has approved a revised plan that increases a buffer zone around the development and will improve its visual appeal.

"The government has understood the concerns raised and delivered a solution that ensures that the character of the region is retained," Mr Rau said in a statement on Wednesday.

The government would provide funds to create a green gateway to one of the state's most significant wine districts, ensuring a rural vista is retained along the northern entrance to McLaren Vale, he said.

The $500 million development will comprise more than 1100 houses.

nineMSN

New Cellar door to open .... 1.1km from Bellevue B&B....

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:54:00 +0000

THE Angove winery is commonly associated with its long-standing vineyards and winery at Renmark in the Riverland, and with its now-closed historic cellar door and winery at Tea Tree Gully, Angove Wines has laid the slab for a new cellar-door centre in McLaren Vale.

The Angove family is retaining its cellar door and winery in Renmark, but the new Chalk Hill Road centre marks a step up in its relationship with the McLaren Vale region, a source of its fruit for the past decade.

The new building will contain a modern cellar door, casual lounge and dining areas with outdoor kitchen and courtyard, and will offer cheese platters when it opens this year.

Another cellar door in a region with already more than 70 showed McLaren Vale was still growing as a food and wine destination.

Coriole Poetry Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Bellevue B and B) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:50:00 +0000

Enter the $4,000 Coriole poetry competition and you could have your poetry read at tables across Australia.

Bringing poetry to the table on wine bottles, the $4,000 Coriole poetry competition will select the 2012 Australian Wine Poet. The winning poet will also receive the honour of a Coriole red wine named after them, along with six of their poems included on the back of the named wine bottles.

To be released in 2012, the six bottles will be packaged together with a brochure on the poet, the project and the wine. The wine is a blend of Cabernet and Barbera, a high quality wine that sells for around $35 per bottle.

Director of Coriole Vineyards, Mark Lloyd said, “What better way to enjoy good wine than with a poem at the table? What better way to enjoy poetry than with a glass of good wine in your hand?"
A celebration of the written word, previous Coriole poetry competitions featured the work of highly regarded poets, Jude Aquilina and Peter Goldsworthy, on wine bottles. The successful poetry series was well received by wine drinkers and poetry lovers alike!

For entry into the Coriole Poetry Competition, poets should submit six poems, which are no longer than 100 words each. The style of the poetry should be suitable for reading at the table and can include any subject matter, be humorous or serious. Previously published poems may be submitted.
Two Australian award-winning poets will judge the poems anonymously.

The poetry competition is open to Australian residents over the age of 18. Entry is free.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.coriole.com/wine-poet and submitted via email helen@coriole.com or posted to Helen Tothill, PO Box 9 McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171.
Entries must be received by 5pm Monday 30 May 2011.

Competition Enquiries: Helen Tothill (08) 8323 8305 or helen@coriole.com

For accommodation please visit www.bellevuebnb.com.au