Bay of Shoals Winery: Ron samples some of Kangaroo Islands best.
The waters around Kingscote on Kangaroo Island are classic winter whiting territory - but if you get left high and dry there are plenty of other attractions, like the Bay of Shoals Winery - which offers a unique blend of stunning coastal views and a very tasty local drop.
The KI locals have been dabbling with wine production for several decades. Back in the early 1970s, a Kingscote farmer thought he'd try his hand and planted a few vines to see how they'd go. But it wasn't until the mid 90s that the industry really began to take off. As a result, KI is one of the newest wine growing districts and certainly one of the prettiest.
The first vines were planted here at the Bay of Shoals - just 3 kilometres from Kingscote - back in 1994. And since then the island's maritime climate has sustained an ever-expanding array of cool climate wines. More recently the owners have experimented with Riesling - and they believe these are the closest plantings to the sea - anywhere in the world.
Here on KI, the winemaking pioneers are prepared to take a few risks as they carve out their own identity - an identity that continues to grow with the island now home to 28 wineries and 14 cellar doors.
Follow the island's winery trail and you'll take in many of the scenic highlights of KI - including Sunset Winery with sweeping vistas of Baudin Beach and beyond. While in the middle of KI Two Wheeler Creek Wines - with its adjoining marron farm offers the perfect location for a quick bite.
You can map out your trail route - courtesy of the Bay of Shoals Winery Floor - which underpins KI's cooperative approach to marketing it's blend of wilderness and wine.
Ruth Pledge, Bay of Shoals Winery: "It's really quite unique - you can get the wildlife as well as the vines and then go to some of the producers and do some tasting and have some top quality cool climate wines."
Greg Miller, Bay of Shoals Winery: "We actively promote people coming to the island making sure they go to as many cellars doors as they can."
While KI's wine industry may be a late bloomer - the story of vines here goes back to the earliest days of official European settlement in South Australian.
Ruth Pledge, Bay of Shoals Winery: "The first vines that came to South Australia actually landed here on Kangaroo Island - but unfortunately due to the hot summer none of them survived."
Summer seems a long way off for pruner Robbie and his dog, "Snug" as they prepare for another year. At the Bay of Shoals you can watch the pruners at work or head into the nearby artist's studio - where you'll find KI institution Indiana James doing his thing.
Many of his art works adorn the Bay of Shoals Cellar door. All are made from found objects - bits of driftwood, rusted farm implements and perhaps shearing shed galvo, which Indiana works into shape. It's all part of his ongoing artistic obsession with "pelicanus conspiculatis" - a bird conspicuous throughout South Australia.
The owner of the Bay of Shoals Winery - Adelaide eye doctor Dr John Willoughby also has a passion for the pelican. It features on the winery's distinctive label. A few years back he purchased one of Indiana's soaring artworks and a life-long friendship ensued - bringing with it the chance for Indiana to relocate to this studio above this picturesque bay.
For local wine, intriguing art works and the characters that inspire them - head to the Bay of Shoals Winery just outside Kingscote. The winery also had bed and breakfast accommodation overlooking this spectacular part of Kangaroo Island. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Bay of Shoals Winery
Kingscote
Kangaroo Island
Cellar Door Open 11am - 5pm daily Or by appointment
Ph: 8553 0289Published 26th April 2009
