Tahbilk Winery and Region - Sunday 2 April 2023
Destination
Nestled between the banks of the Goulburn River and a wetlands lagoon, Tahbilk Winery is the oldest family-owned winery and vineyard in Victoria. The estate was established in 1860 and lies near Nagambie about 130 kms North of Melbourne.
I first visited Chateau Tahbilk with classmates from art school in 1964. The collection of heritage listed buildings, musty cellars and oak casks were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The visit left a memorable impression as I thought I’d bumped into a little piece of Europe. More recent visits on my Vespa confirm that the picturesque estate is still there intact looking better than ever. In April, the vine leaves should be starting to display Autumn colours.
Synonymous with Tahbilk is Marsanne which is one of the world’s rarest grape varietals. Planted in 1927, Tahbilk has the largest single holding of these vines in the world. The estate also boasts un-grafted Shiraz plantings that are amongst the oldest in the world. These vines survived the vine louse that decimated Europe’s vineyards in the late 1800s. The planting was nominated by renowned USA Wine Spirits magazine as one of the 25 Great Vineyards of the World.
But this is not a wine tour. It’s a ride and getting there and back will be half the fun. Enjoyable riding is to be had on quiet off-highway backroads that offer lovely scenery. Of course being a David ride, there will be one or two (or more) bridges the most spectacular of which is Kirwans Bridge. At 310 metres, it is the longest wooden bridge in Victoria. Locals fought hard over many years to retain continued use of this fabulous 140 year old heritage listed bridge. In the township of Nagambie we might pose our scooters in front of its 1875 flour mill. After lunch, some granite boulder country awaits us. The scenery is gob smacking. We may even see the Stone Circle at Highlands.
Note
As Daylight Savings Time ceases on this Sunday, I would like to get away a bit earlier than preveiously posted as we still have morning daylight that will be useful to us. If we can be away at 9:00 am, that would be beneficial. At 320 kms this is a big but very enjoyable ride. In order to keep to our schedule you need to be comfortable motoring along at around 80 kms/hour and have sufficient stamina for a long day in the saddle. If all goes smoothly, we aim to get you back to Bell Street Heidleberg at around 4:00 - 4:30 pm.
Lunch
We’ll pop into a bakery to get some take-away lunch to eat on the banks of Lake Nagambie at around 1:10 pm.
Departure Point and Time
We will start our ride North of the city at Gellibrand Cafe in the back streets of Reservoir. 16 Gelibrand Crescent, Reservoir. This meeting spot will also cater for breakfast and coffee. The cafe opens at 8:00 am. We will depart at 9:00 am sharp. < click for map >
Please arrive with a full tank of fuel.
Comments
To the dozen Tahbilk-ers who showed up for this event - what an awesome riding group! Together we buzzed along apace at 80 kmh+ and cornered as though on rails. This kept everything nicely on track. Thank you. In fact I heard that towards the end of the ride, some Harleys came up fast from the rear but the twisties appeared before they could overtake and they were left behind in our Vespa wake. The perfect Autumn day was dazzling, the 163 year old winery was full of rustic charm, the staff were friendly at the tastings and granite boulder scenery around Highlands was sublime in the afternoon light. Although our ceremony within the stone circle to turn Matylda’s 125cc into a 300cc seemed less successful, I believe her Vespa no longer needs any fuel to run it.
Hi All ,
What a perfect day for riding 👏👌
sorry I can't make it
Family is down for weekend
Have fun 🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵👍😘
Great to have you along Anthony. I believe those German Vespas go very well and please don't be shy to mingle with us. I think a Japanese Vespa might be joining us later too. MatyIda and Phil will be joining the ride at the CFA water tanks at following location on the corner of Sugarloaf Creek Road and the Seymour-Pyalong Road. We expect to arrive there around 10:55 am. Why not join us there and then Tahbilk the 43 kms with the gang. Otherwise we'll arrive at the winery around 11:30 am. Lunch in Nagambie will be around 12:45 - 1:10pm.
https://goo.gl/maps/5Bm4MG3K7QAnS2bM7
Echoing MatyIda's questions, What is the notional ETA at Tahbilk?
As I'm tempted to just meet all there for (lunch?) — so I don't spoil the parade as I'll be traveling on the big silver German 'Vespa'.
Sorry everyone, we are pulling out of this ride as we feel we just aren't totally recovered from last weekend yet.
Greg and I wish you all a fantastic day.
Matylda and Phil, we hope to catch up with you both soon in Romsey. XX
Good idea for the earlier 9 am departure. Better use of the daylight. See you tomorrow.
Looking forward to re-visiting this lovely winery with you David.
Some members might feel a bit pooped after the big Wangaratta Rally but if you can't get enough of Vespa bliss then a great scenic ride full of delights is coming up this Sunday. So far the weather gods are smiling with a perfect sunny 19 degree Autumn day. Remember to adjust your clocks back one hour otherwise you'll arrive early.
Would love to go, but would need to be later in the month, I cannot do 2nd.
Hi David, As 02 April is final day of FIGP, would prefer another weekend.
13 March and 16 April work fine for me.
Easter no good.
Regards, Raewyn
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