Conferences & Weddings are the principal activities on a truly quiet rural site that boasts a sophisticated winery, vineyards, cricket oval, real tennis court, numerous other ball sports and a diversity of rooms for dining, conference, celebrating or just relaxing. Quality accommodation and fine dining complemented by exceptional wines make visits to Cope-Williams Winery an experience that requires reliving over and over again.
Sparkling wines, pioneered by Cope-Williams at Romsey in 1977 have become something of a signature of the Macedon Ranges wine region, backed by a diverse range of Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignon. This picturesque winery's vineyards provide marvelous morning and evening walks. The Lord's Taverners Cricket Oval is terrific to jog around and the real tennis court offers most fascinating entertainment and even a chance to play one of the oldest ball games in the world. Fine wines and exquisite dining complete the picture of a graceful country winery
The Cope-Williams' Romsey Vintage Brut is a rather special cuveé of Chardonnay, only six have been produced since 1984 when sparkling production bagan. The non-vintage version is a blend of very slow ripening Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with often, a substantial proportion of reserve wine added to ensure that the authentic House Style of Cope-Williams is maintained year after year. Cope-Williams make a classic 100% Pinot Noir Rose that retains a slight pink colour from initial skin contact. An excellent aperitif or lunch wine, it is a varietal sister to the Cope-Williams Cabernet Rose. Often, a large proportion of Cabernet juice is separated and fermented separately to dryness, retaining lovely warm fruit flavours.
A sweeter version of the classic Romsey Brut is the Romsey Riche, the 35 grams of sugar added at disgorging has been given time to integrate with the wine, creating very well balanced and refreshing flavours. Cope-Williams excel at their sparklers and this includes a very splendid, blended Sparkling Red named Coniston made from many small parcels of wine with a diversity of ages. A handsomely smooth sparkling red with or without food.
Part of the Chardonnay from each vintage is made in the modern un-wooded style as an alternative to the classic barrel fermented version that has been so successful on the show circuit. The latter is released with three or more years of ageing. The Cope-Williams Pinot is as it should be - powerful plummy and gamey aromas and earthy fruit flavours on the palate. The finely balanced structure ensures longevity. The winery produces a very special Cabernet and Merlot that's only made in years when the fruit is ripe enough to avoid excessive herbaciousness. Always a long lived wine with tight nose and palate when young.
Cope-Williams make a luscious and very unique fortified wine named The Willow - a liqueur made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, fortified with aged brandy and wood aged minimum of 5 years - not as sweet as it looks - a subtle way of enhancing most desserts and especially anything chocolate, just delicious.
