Winemaker Notes
The Beelgara Winery has a history that dates back over 80 years; Italian immigrants originally built it in 1930. The winery is near the village of Beelbangera, which is in the Riverina and one Australia’s largest grape growing regions. The name Beelgara is taken from the original name “Beelgara Vineyards” which is the proud and historical name for the vineyard sites that surround the winery even today.
An extensive expansion and upgrading program has been undertaken since 2001 with a major additional focus on operational efficiency, functionality, amenity and quality. This extensive capital expenditure program has been undertaken to improve the winery layout, upgrade plant and equipment and streamline the winery and packaging processes.
Being located in the Riverina Wine District of NSW, the winery has a rich resource in local quality fruit but also sources cool climate parcels of wine from across Australia, including Hilltops, Clare, Adelaide Hills, Watervale, Coonawarra and Yarra Valley to build a truly Australian brand offering across its premium wine ranges. Beelgara’s wines range from affordable to premium price points.
Wines are made by Rod Hooper, an accomplished winemaker with over 30 vintages to his name. A graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Oenology, Rod gained international winemaking experience with vintages in California, France and Germany. He has worked as winemaker for Penfold’s, Hardy’s, Goundrey and Leasingham.
The birthplace of Australian wine but also fast to embrace innovation, New South Wales is full of historic wine regions as well as some of the nation’s most contemporary producers. Along the entire western side of the Great Dividing Range, New South Wales includes the famous wine regions of Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Orange, Hilltops, Canberra and Riverina.
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. Popularized in Bordeaux, the blend is often mimicked throughout the New World. Somm Secret—Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but they can be served before, during or after a meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage.