Led by Barry, Baz to those who know him, and Gabriela White, they shared a passion for both the production and consumption of wine. The winery, now known as Gomersal Wines, was resurrected with the establishment of a new vineyard in 2001, opening of a new cellar door in 2005 and function room in 2006, and of course, production of a range of quality wines. The vineyard, just across the road from cellar door, consisting of 42 acres of Shiraz, and 8 acres of Grenache and Mataro supplies the winery with rich quality fruit with which to make wine. The unique cellar door is a true Australian experience, with eucalyptus trees and native plants throughout the grounds, magnificent red gum tables and pink gum bar, and truly Australian artwork covering the walls. The Barrel Room provides a wonderful and versatile setting for functions of all styles, including weddings, birthdays, conferences, launches and art exhibitions.
Gomersal Wines is located on Lyndoch Road, in the village of Gomersal, just 5 minutes from Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa, opposite the cellar door, on the north western ridge of Barossa Valley. The Gomersal area experiences warm to hot summers and cool winters with daytime temperatures ranging from 12˚C – 45˚C, and nighttime temperatures ranging from-2˚C – 30˚C. Average rainfall is 400mm per annum. The range of soils at Gomersal is quite interesting and exciting, as they vary dramatically throughout the vineyard. It begins with clay over calcerte and slate bedrock, moving to more weathered slate at the bottom of an ancient glacier. Over the hill the soils are deep, sandy loam and black clays. This variety in soil types create some excellent subtle flavours in the grapes, which come through in the wines.
The vineyard consists of predominantly trellised Shiraz, about 42 acres, with some bush vine Grenache, 2.5 acres, and Mataro, 5.5 acres. Vines are planted on east-west slopes with predominantly north-south rows, and bush vines growing east-west on a south facing slope.
At Gomersal, the wines are limited only by quantity, but not by quality, with fruit from low yielding vineyard providing concentrated and intense flavours to work with. The red varieties come from estate grown vines, with trellised Shiraz, and Grenache and Mataro grown as bush vines, Riesling is sourced from a small, single vineyard in Eden Valley. The fruit isn’t picked until Baz is satisfied with the flavor, a much loved pilgrimage which then leads to harvest.
The team take pride in the wines they produce, and ensure the quality of the wine from vine, right throughout the winemaking process to bottling. Gomersal wines are made to be enjoyed and remembered. The philosophy is to produce wines which are the purest and most honest reflection of the vineyard and soil. Minimal intervention, judicious use of oak, and maximum flavour are the goals.
The walls of the cellar door Gomersal are graced with some magnificent paintings by local artist George Aldridge. He studied painting at the South Australian School of art, and graduated with a Dip. F.A.P. in 1979. George lives his passion for art, and spends much of his time drawing inspiration from the truly magnificent landscape that is the Flinders Rangers. He has work represented in private collections throughout Australia, London, Italy and France. The glorious rustic country atmosphere, off the beaten track, offers a quintessential winemaking experience. The views from the cellar door are as calming and clean as they are pure Aussie bush, with eucalypts, rolling pastures, vineyards, and the reedy line of Gomersal Creek just across the road.
The tasting room is spacious with a tall ceiling, magnificent pink gum bar, impressive red gum tables, classic old lounge chairs, and some stunning Australian artworks. In winter there is a cosy fire, while in summer, a huge eucalypt hardwood veranda that wraps around the tasting room provides plenty of shelter and cool shade. The Barrel Room still has its original corrugated iron walls, often graced with artwork or photography of local vineyards. The room has a high timber beamed ceiling, enhanced by stunningly handcrafted long Oregon tables. It's all part of the ambience and natural surrounds which combine to make Gomersal a very special place for making and enjoying wine.
