Decided to stay an extra night in
Watervale, with this amazing couple, because this is a beautiful
area. There are over 20 wineries within a 30 km radius. There are so
many. So if you can imagine that, driving down through the stunning
valley and at every turn-off you see a sign for another winery.
The Riesling Trail
runs from just north of Clare down to Auburn. It used to be where the
old railway line passed through the valley, but all that is left now
are the black and white station signs at each towns. Now it is a very
well maintained (fine) gravel road, offering cyclists a break from
the cars, trucks and all other sorts vehicles.
Today was also the first day I've
noticed the change of seasons. Autumn is coming. The leaves
are changing colour and the trees are going bare, ready for winter.
It reminds me so much of Europe, this area of South Australia close
to the border (of the eastern states). So much trees, greenery, farm
and above all, life. Western Australia had some, but the majority of
Australia’s population lives on this side of the country and I can
understand why, it's beautiful here.
Anyhoodle, like I mentioned,
staying with a lovely couple. One of them is a nurse in a local
hospital and the other works at one of the wineries. So this morning
when I asked if I could stay another night, she gave me a map of the
area and suggested a few wineries I should check out.
So off I went on my bike. Had no
luggage on, which felt incredibly weird! I was really
unstable for the first couple of kilometres (and more so after the
first couple of wineries).
So
you turn up at the winery and head into the cellar.
Here you can learn more about the particular wine they produce and
get to taste some of them.
I
am by no means an wine expert, far from it, but I do appreciate a
good red wine. Because I'm riding at least 120 km tomorrow, I had to
limit myself in how much I actually tried. I haven't done enough wine
tasting to get into the culture of spitting it out again after having
touch you tounge for five seconds. So when you've been to four
wineries and tried over seven different types at each place, you do
notice the effect when get back on that bike again.
So
first stop
were two award-winning wineries, the Kilikanoon
Winery
and the Penna
Lane Wines.
Both had very friendly staff, that were passionate about their
products and were able to provide you with detailed information about
the entire process from grape to bottle. Penna
Lane Wines
also serve lunch on the weekends. We're not talking cheese and
crackers here, but lovely and rich flavoured country style meals,
made by the winemakers mother. Lovely woman. Makes a killer broccoli
and bacon soup with fresh bread. YUM! So after having tasted the wine
and also their homemade chutney and jams, I was on my merry way down
the road.
Next
stop
was the Mitchell
Winery.
Though it was quite an interesting place, seeing as they produce
everything there and I could see the entire process, the wines
weren't AS GOOD as the others. Later I was told they mainly produce
wine for other wineries, which is used to mix in with their own
wines.
Last
stop for the day was the Skollogalee
Wines.
Their Shiraz was quite good, fruity and rich on flavour. The Riesling
however (which
is what this area is known for)
was exquisite! I'm not a big white wine drinker and Riesling just
brings back bad memories from high school of pre-drinks before going
to some godforsaken house party. But this was totally different to
the standard German Riesling we're accustomed to in Europe. It had a
much more of a citrus flavour and a lot more refreshing (yes
I know I'm not using the “proper” wine terminology here, but sue
me...).
After
this I decided to call it a day and headed up to Clare to do a bit of
food shopping, before taking the Riesling (bike) trail back down to
Watervale (15km south of Clare).
It
was the feeling of pure joy
seeing the valley, riding on the trail and passing through vineyard
after vineyard. The changing colours, autumn coming in. The sweeping
hills with rows of vines neatly lined up next to each other. This to
me is like my own personal Disneyland. It's magical, colourful and
ever-changing.
And
as I was riding down from Swan Hill into Watervale, faced with the
spectacular scenery, I could not help but to think of Europe. About
how much travelling New Zealand and Australia has made me love Europe
even more. It might seem odd to some, but I'm more determined than
ever to settle down in a European country after having seen all this.
It reminded me of Pembrokeshire and Brecon National park in Wales
(UK) and about the fjords on the west coast in Norway. Even the
forests close to where I grew up and the variety of rivers.
So
to family and friends; relax, I'm coming home to Europe, not settling
down in Australia. Though I still don't know which European country,
but at least you'll have me within reasonable flying distance.
A
huge thanks to
Louise and Kerstine for having me. They have a beautiful home and a
lovely (and friendly) greyhound. Both do something they're are
passionate about and I greatly admire that. I wish them both the very
best of luck and hopefully I'll meet them again some time in the
future, maybe on a bike trip in Europe. Who knows.
Tomorrow
I'm heading off again. Leaving the Clare Valley. I hope to do just
over 120 km tomorrow and then do about 110 km the day after into
Renmark.