By Christine Salins.
The name Bimbadgen is derived from an Aboriginal word for ‘place of good view’ and the winery certainly has one of the Hunter Valley’s finest views.
Located high on a hill in Pokolbin, the picturesque Bimbadgen vineyard boasts one of the Hunter’s most visited cellar doors, with a striking bell tower that has become an iconic image for the brand.
In recent years, there’s been a quiet evolution going on behind the famous bell tower, with some tweaking and refreshing of labels to more clearly differentiate Bimbadgen’s various ranges and price points.
Winemaker Richard Done, who has been putting in the hard yards for over 15 years at Scarborough, Andrew Thomas and Hunters Dream, is turning out some really smart stuff for Bimbadgen.
Back in October, the winery’s most widely available range was refreshed with a new look and a new name. The Growers Range carries a recommended price tag of $28 a bottle and showcases some classics along with new emerging styles.
Included in the range are a Vermentino and Rosé which won gold medals at the 2022 Hunter Valley Wine Show. Further attesting to the calibre of the range, the Vermentino took out the trophy for Best Other White Wine.
Stepping up a notch, Bimbadgen’s Single Vineyard range, priced at around $45 to $55, is sourced from its McDonald’s Road and Palmers Lane vineyards. The impressive 2021 McDonalds Road Chardonnay was featured in this column in early December.
There is also a premium brand, Signature, priced at $85 a bottle.
Owned by property and hospitality group Mulpha, Bimbadgen has an award-winning restaurant, Esca, a Tuscan-inspired wood fired pizzeria, and an outdoor amphitheatre where concerts are regularly held.
The portfolio has expanded to include much-loved accommodation and cellar door, Emma’s Cottage, in Lovedale. Emma’s Cottage is the home of new label, Alter Wines, also made by Bimbadgen.
Alter Wines 2021 Shiraz Pinot Noir, $28: There’s a nod to history with this one harking back to the classic ‘Hunter River Burgundy’ blends of the 1950s-1960s that were traditionally blends of Shiraz and Pinot Noir. The packaging couldn’t be more contemporary, though, with an eye-catching swirly black and white label. Light and dry with soft tannins, the Pinot Noir lends bright cherry notes to the earthy Shiraz.
Bimbadgen Growers Range 2022 Vermentino, $28: Aromatic and zesty with citrus and green apple notes. Light-bodied and refreshing, a fun, approachable drop for summer quaffing.
Bimbadgen Growers Range 2022 Rosé, $28: Also a winner for summer, this crisp, dry, soft pink is made from Tempranillo with enticing strawberry, watermelon and rose petal notes.
Bimbadgen Growers Range 2021 Shiraz Cabernet, $28: Medium-bodied with smooth tannins and subtle oak, blueberry and cherry notes, and a hint of Christmas cake spice.
Bimbadgen 2021 Palmers Lane Semillon, $45: Vibrant and generous with lemon and lime flavours, this deserves putting away for a few years to bring out more nutty honey flavours.
Bimbadgen 2019 McDonalds Road Shiraz, $55: Nicely integrated oak and silky tannins. Some pepper on the nose leading to flavours of blackberry, plum and chocolate. Big, bold and sassy.
