Latest news with #Nebbiolo
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Why hundreds are flocking to this hideaway outside Sydney for a dreamy slice of Tuscany: 'The perfect weekend reset'
If there's one destination that delivers no matter the season, it's the NSW South Coast. And tucked away just outside the charming town of Milton lies a hidden gem that feels more like Tuscany than regional Australia, is Cupitt's Estate. A short drive from Ulladulla and Mollymook's stunning beaches and only a few hours from Sydney, this award-winning family-run winery, brewery, restaurant, and boutique accommodation offers a truly unforgettable escape. Cupitt's Estate began over 18 years ago when Rosie and Griff Cupitt purchased a 75 hectare farm overlooking the Budawang Ranges and Burrill Lake, with the dream of growing grapes and crafting their own wine. That dream has since blossomed into a thriving estate now run by the next generation Libby and sons Tom, and Wally. Today, the property seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern luxury. From the moment you arrive, it's clear this is a place that embraces a true farm-to-table philosophy. The restaurant is a true highlight, set in a stylish yet relaxed dining room with floor-to-ceiling views The estate produces its own wine, beer, and seasonal produce, much of it showcased at their restaurant, where you'll find a menu that's both refined and regionally inspired. Think fresh house-made cheeses and charcuterie, woodfired pizzas, and vibrant dishes featuring ingredients straight from the garden. For a more relaxed experience, you can enjoy a glass of wine on the deck or settle in for a tasting at the cellar door. The estate produces its own wine, beer, and seasonal produce, much of it showcased at their restaurant, where you'll find a menu that's both refined and regionally inspired. Don't miss the Nebbiolo, a personal favourite. Start your visit at the cellar door, where you can sample the estate's impressive range of wines. Whether you prefer a crisp Chardonnay or something bolder like their elegant Nebbiolo (a standout), the tastings are guided by passionate staff who clearly love what they do. Downstairs, the wine cave offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process - rustic barrels and stainless-steel tanks silently working away. Cupitt's also boasts the longest-running craft brewery in the Shoalhaven region, pours a diverse lineup of handcrafted beers. Each brew reflects the same care and commitment to quality as the wines, with rotating taps showcasing IPAs, lagers, pale ales, and seasonal specialties. Accommodation at Cupitt's takes the experience to the next level. The architecturally designed villas are spacious and minimalist, with eco-conscious touches throughout. Each villa includes a lounge and dining area, kitchenette, and a private deck - but the real showstopper is the freestanding outdoor bathtub. The luxury Villas offer boutique accommodation with private outdoor baths We were taken for a tour of the wine cellar beneath the restaurant Watching the sun set over the rolling hills with a glass of bubbles in hand (from the outdoor tub, naturally) was a highlight of my stay so much so, I took two dips in one night. The minibar is one of the most thoughtfully curated I've seen, filled with locally made treats, Cupitt's own wines, and even pre-mixed cocktails from the estate's bar. A welcome breakfast hamper adds to the sense of relaxed luxury. Whether you're here for a romantic weekend, a winter retreat, or a summer escape, Cupitt's delivers. And while Milton may not be on everyone's radar, those in the know will tell you that autumn and summer are some of the most beautiful times to visit. What truly sets it apart is its authenticity. Nothing feels overly polished or artificial; instead, the entire estate radiates warmth, integrity, and a deep connection to the land and local community. Whether you're here for a tasting, a long lunch, or an indulgent weekend away, you'll find yourself wanting to stay just a little longer. nd it's one you'll be talking about long after the last glass is poured.
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Barolo Wine Tourism: Taste Piedmont's Finest In Its Terroir
Vajra vineyards on the sloped Langhe Hills Vajra Barolo, the King of Wines, hardly needs a formal introduction. The full-bodied red wine is known around the world for its complex bouquet and aging potential, making it a favorite of wine enthusiasts and collectors. Barolo wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes that must be grown in one of 11 communes (municipalities) in the Langhe hills of Piedmont in northwestern Italy. While all these communes are centered around the small village of Barolo, each has different soils and microclimates that express themselves differently in their site-specific wines. Together, they comprise the official Barolo DOCG wine production zone. Producing Barolos is inherently challenging due to various factors, including the nature of the grape, the terrain where it is grown, weather variability, and the wine's long aging requirements. Overcoming these hurdles requires a unique blend of passion, knowledge, and moxie. Wine and tourism have long been part of the cultural fabric of the Barolo wine region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, the Langhe Hills are known for their scenic landscapes, Medieval towns and cities, regional cuisine, and welcoming winemakers keen to introduce visitors to Barolo and their local traditions. A large proportion of the wineries in the Langhe Hills are small and family-owned. Wine tourists visiting one or more of these family-owned wineries allow them to have a personal experience with people steeped in the region's history, wines, and winemaking techniques. The Deep Roots of the G.D. Vajra Winery in Barolo The Vaira Family in their cellar MOLCHENPHOTO/courtesy Vajra The high-quality wines of the G.D. Vajra winery reflect the commitment, sacrifice, and hard work of Aldo Vaira, his wife Milena, and their now-adult children, Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, who work as a team stewarding the land. Aldo inherited the Bricco delle Viole vineyard from his father, Giuseppe Domenico, more than 50 years ago. The family name, Vajra, is an ancient way of spelling the family's surname, Vaira. Although Barolos are their flagship wines, the G.D. Vajra family produces an impressive portfolio of other red, white, and sparkling wines. These include reds like Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba, Frisa, and Pinot Nero; Moscato d'Asti and Langhe Riesling whites; and specialty sparkling wines. Family businesses, especially when they are multigenerational, are bound to evoke conflicts. However, in the case of the Vajra Winery, the interplay of different ideas and techniques between the patriarch and his clan has turned out to be one of its greatest assets. The 80-acre Vajra winery embraces tradition and research simultaneously. Among producers, Aldo was known as 'the most modern of the traditionalists and most traditional of the modernists.' He knew how to produce the classic Barolo that best represented the family vineyard, but he was also a pioneer of organic farming and sustainable agriculture in the region. His offspring continued his legacy, and they take pride in being able to innovate as well. The winery pioneered the rediscovery of Chiaretto di Nebbiolo. Since he was 15, Giuseppe Vaira, now 40, has worked in the family vineyards. He now has four children of his own. He is especially proud of the winery's 2024 Langhe DOC Nebbiolo Claré. In a Zoom presentation, he called the wine a historical representation of Barolo, ideal for drinking, even chilled, on a patio in summer. In November, Wine Spectator rated Barolo Albe 2000 by G.D. Vajra No. 9 on its list of 'Top 100' wines for 2024. Visiting the G.D. Vajra Winery Illumination from the winery's artisan stained glass windows Vajra The Vaira family has a penchant for beauty in harmony with the environment. Colored stained-glass facades illuminate each room of the wine cellar. The light changes with the seasons, creating a dazzling display designed by monk artist Costantino Ruggeri. 'Every plant starts with a seed,' says Giuseppe, metaphorically. An underground garden topped with grass and cover crops blends seamlessly into the land, ensuring the 30 staff members stay connected to nature as they work. Six single-vineyard plots with different climates and soils are spread over the property. The six leaves on the elegant wine label represent the parcels. Only vineyards on the slopes of the Langhe Hills, with the best sun exposure and an altitude between 170 and 540 meters above sea level, are allowed to produce the Nebbiolo grapes used to make Barolo. Giuseppe explains that there is a learning curve in determining how to treat the soils and when to prune the grapes. 'My dad always promoted a sense of balance,' he says. 'Viniculture requires generosity as well as knowledge.' In 2009, the winery added 2.6 hectares of vineyards in the village of Serralunga d'Alba, which had belonged to Luigi Baudana's family for five generations. The goal is to preserve the Baudana legacy, which produces four varieties of grapes. G.D. Vajra offers wine tastings and tours in English and Italian, geared toward first-timers or returnees. First-timers enjoy a tasting of four wines, including one Barolo wine from the current vintage, and a guided winery tour. Returnees can sign up for a more individualized experience. Driving through the Langhe Hills provides a convenient way to visit this and other wineries, wine shops, and attractions dispersed throughout the scenic villages in the Barolo DOCG. Compared to more touristed wine regions, Barolo maintains an authentic character, reflected in its intimate hotels, agriturismi, and guest houses, a quality particularly valued by visitors. The area is also close to Alba (less than 10 miles away), a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The G.D. VAJRA winery is located in the Vergne hamlet, less than two miles from the center of Barolo. Reservations are required.
The 42
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Legendary Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast dies aged 92
KEVIN PRENDERGAST, THE legendary Irish horse racing trainer, has died at the age of 92. The Kildare trainer saddled over 2000 winners in a career that spanned more than 60 years. Advertisement Horse Racing Ireland paid tribute on Friday to a 'trailblazer' and 'one of the all-time greats of the Irish training ranks who has left an indelible mark on racing'. Prendergast's finest hour arguably came in 1977 when he won the 2,000 Guineas, his sole English Classic, with Nebbiolo. Remembering Kevin Prendergast. In 1977, he became only the third Irish trainer (after Vincent O'Brien and his father) to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as Nebbiolo, ridden by Gabriel 'Squibs' Curran, beat The Minstrel into third — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 20, 2025
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
ITV halt live Royal Ascot coverage to announce tragic news
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info ITV's live coverage of Royal Ascot was paused this afternoon as the death of "a legend of the sport" was announced. Just minutes into the broadcast from the fourth day of the meet, presenter Ed Chamberlin informed viewers that legendary racehorse trainer Kevin Prendergast had died at the age of 92. The Irishman trained over 2,000 winners over the course of his glittering career - which spanned six decades - but he sadly passed away just a few weeks short of his 93rd birthday. He was the son of the legendary Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast and started out as an amateur jockey before taking out a trainer's licence in 1963. Prendergast would go on to win nine Classics in his career, with eight of those victories coming in Ireland. His sole English Classic win came when Nebbiolo triumphed at the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas in 1977. Meanwhile, his last winner in any race came last August, when Copie Conforme, ridden by Chris Hayes, won at Bellewstown. Announcing the news moments into Friday afternoon's coverage, Chamberlin told viewers: "There was some sad news earlier today, the news that the Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast has died at the age of 92. "A trainer that had over 2,000 winners, he won four races here at Royal Ascot and nine Classics in total, including Nebbiolo in the 1977 2000 Guineas. "He really was a great trainer and an even better man." Chamberlin then handed over to former jockey Ruby Walsh to give his thoughts on the tragic news, asking him: "Ruby, would it be fair to describe him as a trailblazer in the training ranks?" "Oh, he most certainly was, Ed," replied Walsh. "He followed in the footsteps of his father Darkie and he trained for long enough to compete against the great Vincent O'Brien and Aidan O'Brien. "So he was a trailblazer, his horses always looked impeccable, he was a brilliant racehorse trainer, he was a legend of the sport, but he was a massive character and he will be sadly missed." A statement from ITV Racing read: "Everyone at ITV Racing is sad to hear the passing of legendary trainer Kevin Prendergast aged 92. "Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Wine with Leslie: Intriguing tastes of Nebbiolo
I've often been asked what led me to fall in love with wine, and I think it was probably just my innate hedonism. I adore the scents, flavours and textures to be found in even modest bottles of wine, and of course in great wines from say Burgundy, Bordeaux and Piedmont (to name just three of my favourite regions). What inspired this column was a fragrant and fruit-driven Nebbiolo di Langhe in Lidl this month as part of their Italian celebration. Given that my last two columns covered southern Italy, I decided I needed to give other countries a chance, so I have chosen two other wines that offer similar pleasures. Nebbiolo is rarely a bargain and this is because it is such a difficult variety to manage. Nebbiolo is picky about the soil it is planted in, it is the first variety to bud but also the last to ripen (usually mid-October). It needs a long growing season with plenty of sunshine and well-drained soils so it is particularly suited to Piedmont. You will find examples in Australia, California and almost every new world region, but none have come close to recreating the complex aromas and flavour profile of the wines of Piedmont. Nebbiolo can have scents of violets, cherry and plums but also tar, ink, and cold tea. The best Barolo and Barbarescos are fragrant, elegant and enticing, but also much more grippy and structured than you would expect from such a beguiling aroma. I'm also recommending a Spanish Mencía which can also offer intrigue and complexity, but is generally a more easy drinking wine. And of course I had to include a Bourgogne Pinot Noir which is all about the seductive scents matched with structure and acidity; even Riedel recommend the same glass for both wines. There are finer Bourgognes to try, but this one is a good place to start. Santenzo Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont; €10.99 Santenzo Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont; €10.99 Lidl This has to be the best value Nebbiolo in the country and is one of number of good Italian wines in Lidl this month (also look for Fiano and the Riccardi Chianti Colli Senesi). Blackcurrant and dark plum fruits with a touch of ink, fruity and ripe with noticeable weight and texture. Tannins are present, but they are integrated and overall this is quite the charmer. Brezo de Gregory Perez, Bierzo, Spain; €21 Brezo de Gregory Perez, Bierzo, Spain; €21 MacCurtain Wine Cellar; Sheridans Dublin and Galway Mencía has similar molecular properties to black truffles, they say, and matches them brilliantly, as does Nebbiolo. Mencía offers scents of violets and lively ripe fruits such as blackberry and cherry, but also an earthy tone. This is one of my favourites, with pastille aromas, supple and layered fruits, but with a lightness of touch and lingering red and black fruits. Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Bourgogne, France; €32-33 Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Bourgogne, France; €32-33 JJ O'Driscolls; La Touche; Molloys; O'Briens Pinot Noir is an obvious grape to compare to Nebbiolo and this Bourgogne version is even somewhat affordable; Jadot are big but they are consistent. Bright cherry-strawberry aromas with a hint of earth; supple, textured and lingering tangy red fruits. O'Driscolls also stock the excellent Two Paddocks & Two Picnics Pinot from NZ, both made by Sam Neil (yes, that Sam Neil). Beer of the Week 8 Degrees Brewing 'Full Irish' Single Malt IPA, 6% ABV, 440ml €3.75 8 Degrees Brewing 'Full Irish' Single Malt IPA, 6% ABV, 440ml €3.75 Bradleys; Matsons; Tesco; Independents; I first tasted this in 2014 (initially for a festival but soon brought into the core range) but have not featured it here. From Irish grown barley malted in Cork, but using New World hops (simcoe, cascade, citra and amarillo). As expected from those hops this is a hop-bomb, packed with lime and lychee fruits but with a good hit of malt on the mid palate. Perfect summer drinking. Read More Wine with Leslie: Deep reds to savour from my Italian excursion
