The start of summer is the perfect time to celebrate Sam Connew’s new season wines. Sam is a brilliant winemaker based just outside Hobart in the Coal River Valley. She worked at Wirra Wirra and Tower Estate on the mainland, saw the light in cool climate wines and moved south. Stargazer is her brand. Those of you who have been to a feast will already know Sam’s wines. She’s been making our house white for three years now, and you may remember her lovely chardonnay or her amazing Tupelo (pinot gris, riesling, gewurtz) blend. This will be a chance for us all to try her new releases. We’ve had a sneaky taste (just so we can plan the menu!) and we think this is her best year yet. A cracking riesling driven by bracing acidity and lemony hints. Rada, the pinot meunier/pinot noir blend that is perfect with everything from roast chook to steamed gow gee, duck, or with Fat Pig Farm pork and delicious vegetables straight from the garden. Her more fulsome pinot, with its elegant flavours balanced on a knife edge, boasting lean tannin and mouthwatering depth. We can’t wait to see what the garden produces that week to match with them.