2024 Barossa Red Wine of Year
South Sydney had a very forgettable season in 2024.
Being completely objective about 2024, the slide started midway through the 2023 season – Souths finished ninth, falling off a rather high cliff. After leading the competition at the end of Round 12, they lost nine of their last 13 games. After extending Head Coach Jason Demetriou’s contract following the end of 2023 review, he was sacked after just eight rounds of the 2024 season.
Tumultuous, disappointing, below par.
***
What was very enjoyable about the 2024 NRL season was my Barossa Red Wine of the Week odyssey.
The Barossa Valley is regarded as one of the world’s best wine regions, featuring some of the oldest vines on the planet. Exact numbers vary, however the ‘Visit Barossa’ web page states that there are over 150 wineries and more than 90 cellar doors in the Barossa wine region.
Apart from a brief hiatus due to whooping cough, I was able to feature a Barossa wine each week of the NRL Season, as part of my footy writing.
Having moved to the Barossa in January 2023, after visiting family in ‘The Valley’ for nearly 30 years, there were many cellar doors to visit.
We also attended the Marananga Wine Show as well as the Vine Vale Shed afternoon.
In summary, we visited the following cellar doors during 2024: Pindarie, Brothers at War, Alkina, Willows, Cimicky, Tscharke, Gibson, Peter Lehmann, Ubertas, Murray Street, St Hallett, Charles Melton, Tim Smith, Hart, Henschke and Cirello.
The wonderful Artisan of Barossa establishment supports several winemakers, including Spinifex and Chaffey Brothers.
Soul Brothers features on the wine list at the Tanunda Club.
Other wineries, including Kellermeister, were visited prior to this year, while Torbreck, Sorby Adams and Chris Ringland were bottles gifted to us at various times.
The famous Rockford name features twice. Not surprisingly, John Harms provided a bottle of 2020 Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet when we met at the Tanunda Club to view New South Wales’ win in the Origin decider.
The other Rockford ‘tasting’ was a lively Friday evening, NRL Round 27. Souths were playing the Roosters. I had helped cook the barbeque for the St Petri Lutheran Church Men’s Shed monthly gathering, before joining an eclectic group – teachers, a preacher, a Principal, winemakers, others – at a table at the Redeemer school trivia night. The Reverend Eugene Minge had wiped the dust off a 2004 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. Troy Kalleske, winemaker from the famous Greenock family and one of Eugene’s parishioners, was asked to taste test. To Eugene’s great relief, Troy duly gave the twenty-year-old shiraz his stamp of approval. Whilst not featuring in the placings in the trivia competition, we certainly enjoyed this special drop! (NB: Souths were defeated by the Roosters to finish the season in 16th place.)
Top 5 Barossa Cellar Doors:
In an extremely high-quality field, here is a list of my top five Barossa Cellar doors visited in 2024:
- Pindarie (great wine, and an exceptional lamb pie)
- Gibson
- Willows
- Tscharke
- Alkina
Narrowly missed the cut:
Charles Melton, Hart, Cirello
2024 Rabbit in the Vineyard Barossa Red Wine of the Year
Torbreck – 2019 The Struie
In a forgettable season, Souths managed to defeat the Brisbane Broncos in Round 15.
This bottle was a gift from a colleague I coached with at Brisbane Boys’ College.
Torbreck is a winery I am yet to set foot in, which is fine. As I have indicated to both John Harms and Ian Hauser, this Barossa Red Wine of the Week journey has the potential to morph into a Phil Gould-type five-year plan.
The Struie – Torbreck Vintners
The week ahead:
Boxing Day: a bottle of Willows ‘The Doctor’ sparkling shiraz will be enjoyed as Australia and India do battle at the MCG.
Wine Shop – The Willows Vineyard
Merry Christmas!
To read more by RITV click HERE.
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
RITV and Murray doing what they do best!
Image: Russel Hansen
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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A good choice, RITV. Torbreck are up there with the best.
Thanks for the running commentary on Barossa reds this year. We’ll look forward to developments in 2025 where I hope you’ll pursue the notion of The Footy Almanac Barossa Red Dozen.
Does anything say Christmas in SA like sparkling shiraz? We got the day away yesterday with one too. Continue to enjoy your wine commentary, RITV. For hosting lunch, we received a Knappstein red which will be fair game when it’s cooler! Enjoy the cricket and your cuppage.
Thank you, Ian
2025 (early season) goals: for both Murray & I to be in routine – passwords – apps – other, to actually TIP every week in the Almanac Footy Tipping – I will publish Murray’s tips in the comments section of your weekly NRL blurb
2) The Almanac Barossa RED Dozen – sounds like a plan
As I’ve said – 150 wineries, 90+ cellar doors … could need more than a Gus Gould 5-year plan!
Thanks, Mickey
Sparkling Shiraz – yes, I remember a very knowledgeable Rockford staff member telling me that one of their family traditions is: Easter: local (of course!) Barossa bacon & egg rolls, and Black Shiraz for breakfast – sounds like a winning combination!
Knappstein – some Clare Valley digression could be a good thing?!
Happy Boxing Day
Rabbit in the Vineyard
Interesting list Russell. Top shelf vineyards and wine of the year.
Might I throw in best bargain of the year. And it’s out of the Barossa.
It’s the 2020 Schild Estate Old Vine Shiraz. Acquired for $12.90. Pound for pound outstanding.
Thanks Dips
I am yet to set foot into Schild – what a lovely area that is – the drive into Lyndoch
I think my wife had a “work” (?!) lunch at Schild last year – it’s definitely on my list!
$12.90 for an Old Vine Shiraz – EXCELLENT! You are definitely winning!!
Happy New Year!
Rabbit in the Vineyard
Thank you Russel
Plenty of quality wines to sip, swallow and savour. Really spoilt for choice.
Look forward to a Barossa road trip to visit those nominated, plus the Apex artisan bakery at
Tanunda and the Farmers market.
Thanks John
That’s a cracking plan for a Barossa visit !
Apex Bakery was featured on ABC news breakfast yesterday
Happy New Year
Rabbit in the Vineyard