Relax in the natural setting of Pfeiffer Wines
RACV Members: Enjoy a 10 per cent discount at cellar door
Sara Schwarz
Sunday Bridge, Pfeiffer Wines, Rutherglen, Victoria
North Eastern Victoria's Rutherglen region is one of Australia’s oldest viticultural areas, home to renowned muscats and topaques, full bodied reds and crisp whites. It is home also to some of Australia’s most respected wine families including the Campbells, Browns and more recently the Pfeiffers.
These relative newcomers, having purchased their property a mere 27 years ago, have more than made their mark through their wide involvement in the Australian wine industry, on judging panels and their internationally recognised and awarded wines.
Pfeiffer Wines: a short history
Family owned and operated, Robyn and Chris Pfeiffer purchased the century old distillery which now houses the winery and cellar door in 1984. This relaxed and rustic building was built with clay bricks made from the nearby Sunday Creek and is held aloft by beams of beautiful Canadian fir that originally served as ship’s ballast. In addition to their hard work at the winery and cellar door, Chris now serves on a number of state and national industry and advisory boards.
Daughter Jen Pfeiffer returned home for a few months in 2000, intent on earning money for travelling after studying Science/Law in Melbourne. While working the vintage in charge of the Pfeiffer Shiraz, she discovered her affinity for winemaking (assisted no doubt by the years spent growing up amongst the vines, vats and barrels) and ended up winning a gold medal with this, her first wine.
Since then Jen has taken over much of the winemaking, earning Pfeiffer Wines over 300 medals and 12 trophies in the past decade. In 2009 Jen was also awarded the highly regarded 2009 Wine Society’s Young Winemaker of the Year Sommeliers’ Choice. It looks as if the future of Pfeiffer wines is in safe hands.
What will I find here?
The cellar door is open seven days offering you the opportunity to taste over 25 wines. In addition, a visit to Pfeiffer Wines can be complemented with the following:
Winery tours are held each Monday (bookings advised, no fee). This is a great opportunity to learn more about Pfeiffer wines from the vineyard through to production with the opportunity to taste straight from the barrel along the way.
Gourmet picnic hampers can be ordered 24 hours in advance for you to enjoy on the property. Bottle of Pfeiffer wine included of course.
Cheese platters are available seven days a week from cellar door or BYO barbeque supplies and cook up a feast on the free barbeque facilities.
Turtle feeding, platypus spotting, bush walking and bird watching – no charge.
What’s On?
The annual Rutherglen Winery Walkabout, now in its 37th year is held each June Long Weekend. This fun festival is held at over 20 participating wineries across the region.
The Pfeiffer Pfrolic Annual Long Lunch is held on Pfeiffer’s Sunday Creek Bridge each Sunday prior to the Melbourne Cup. Join in the festivities this October 30th as the Pfeiffers launch their 2011 gamay.
What should I ask to try?
With 26 wines on tasting daily, you are sure to find something to delight your palate.
- For those who appreciate a good white, head for the award winning Pfeiffer Riesling.
- The Pfeiffer Gamay is a light Beaujolais style wine, fresh and fruity for those who enjoy a quality light red.
- Remember to ask about the unique and delicious Pfeiffer Seriously Pink, Australia’s first rose liqueur that Jen was inspired to create after time spent working in Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Let’s Go!
Pfeiffer Wines
167 Distillery Road
Wahgunyah
Ph 02 6033 2805
Open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm Sundays, including all Public Holidays. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning.
Pfeiffer Wines is situated just near the Murray River on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. It is an easy three hour drive from Melbourne and four hours from Canberra.
RACV Members: Show Your Card and Save
with a 10 per cent discount on wine purchases at cellar door »
Regions
- North East Victoria (VIC)
- Rutherglen (VIC)
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Rutherglen native Jen Pfeiffer took a "break" after studies to do a vintage and she is still there many years later. Jen shares her favourite experiences and what makes her perfect Rutherglen day »
Pfeiffer Wines is a family owned and operated winery, located within historic Rutherglen, in North-East Victoria's Legends, Wine and High Country, a region with ... read more
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