Dandelion Pride of the Fleurieu Peninsula Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Region: South Australia
Proprieter: Elena and Zar Brooks
Winemaker: Elena Brooks
Established: 2011
Address:
PO Box 138
McLaren Vale
South Australia, 5171

Dandelion Vineyards, the love child of Elena and Zar Brooks, was rated as a Five Star producer in its first year in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2011 and again in 2012. “Elena is not only the beautiful wife of industry dilettante Zar Brooks, but also an exceptionally gifted winemaker”. And was listed amongst the Best New Producers in 2011 and 2012 and awarded the equal highest pointed Sauvignon Blanc in the Guide, equal highest pointed Rose in 2012 and equal highest pointed Eden Valley Shiraz as well. Indeed, 20 of the 21 of Elena’s wines reviewed by James Halliday have received more than 90 points. (The miss a most respectable 89/100) and an unprecedented four wines

Dandelion, Sister’s Run, Heirloom Vineyards, Cien y Pico

Elena originally hails from Lyaskovets, Bulgaria, a small town famous for its wine. She is a qualified winemaker, BSc (Oenology) Adelaide and has made wine for various Australian Wineries as well as being a consultant winemaker to a number of leading wine companies in Spain, Italy and Bulgaria.

Born to a MIG Fighter Pilot and Helicopter Mechanic (both of whom happened to be involved in the wine industry in Lyaskovets), Elena's interest in winemaking stemmed from time spent translating for Australian Winemakers Stephen Bennet, David Norman, Dylan Rhymer, Kym Milne MW and others, who worked at her mother's winery between '93 and '98.

With Stephen Bennet’s support and her family’s encouragement, Elena made the move to Australia and started studying winemaking at Adelaide University in 1998, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science (Oenology). (Elena’s mum was

A trot down the road from McLaren Vale, the Southern Fleurieu is a relative newcomer as a wine region. Keep in mind we're comparing to some of the old regions in South Australia – vines were planted here as early as 1853, and it wasn't until bushfires in the late 19th century that most were wiped out. it is re-emerging as a great region, with a fantastic Mediterranean climate and great soil. Like The Vale, complexity and elegance feature in its wines.

History

Buxton Laurie is the first bloke on record for planting vines in the region (1853, Port Elliot). 4000 vines were producing 1,500 gallons of wine every year until the bushfires hit and destroyed the vines. Today, wineries and vineyards are active in several areas – Currency Creek, Kangaroo Island and the notable Langhorne Creek. Grenache, Viognier and Pinot Gris are starting to pop up amongst the familiar Aussie reds and whites grown in the region, showcasing the wide variety of climates and

Cabernet Sauvignon is unmistakably one of the world's most recognised red wine varieties. It is produced in most major wine growing regions across the world, from the banks of the Gironde in France to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, to the valleys of California where it overtook the Zinfandel variety on it's rise to glory. Since the late 1800s Australia has definitely proven itself in the world of the humble 'Cab Sauv'. Speaking locally, I turn the page on my desk copy of Halliday's 'Wine Atlas of Australia & New Zealand', to read: 'Whichever yardstick one adopts, Coonawarra produces most of Australia's great Cabernet Sauvignon.'

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