Ascend Wine Odyssey: What to expect on SA's luxe new wine tour

Fly amongst the vines with the luxe new wine tour from Ascend Wine Odyssey.

The ground gives way below as the roar of propellers fills our ears, despite the overhead earphones covering them. I’ve been to plenty of wineries before, even in South Australia, but I’ve never hopped between them via helicopter. Nor have I seen the vineyards from this height, or the country between. This is Bryce Courtney land, dry and spotted with livestock, as we Ascend Wine Odyssey flies us between three popular wine regions and three female-owned and/or operated wineries.

At each stop, a different experience with the owners and makers – from tasting in the vines to lunch to cheese pairing – and a chance to compare how the different geography of each region gives a unique flavour to their wines. This is truly a luxurious wine tour.

Stop one: Oliver’s Taranga, McLaren Vale

Arriving at Oliver’s Taranga – one of Australia’s oldest family-run vineyards, onto its sixth generation – we’re ushered into the tasting room and restaurant. It’s a beautiful, rustic space for a few warm-up wines, but today we’ll be taking the vineyard buggy (lovingly named Ollie) out into the vines for a Taranga Terroir Tour.

Glass in hand, we make stops around the vineyard to learn about the different vines, wines and views – tasting each drop next to the plants that grew them. Along the way, we meet Corrina Wright, sixth generation in the Oliver family and current director and winemaker. She shares a few insider secrets before joining us back in the restaurant for a pre-lunch grazing board (and a few more wines to taste, of course).

Ollie the buggy on a Taranga Terroir Tour at oliver's taranga — Explore the vines as you taste the wines.

As the only female winemaker we’ll meet on this tour, Wright explains why it’s so important for this tour to focus on women in the field.

“I’m part of the Australian Women in Wine board. When we started 10 years ago, there were 10 per cent less women in production. It was 50/50 going through university but [not] coming out the other side…That has increased to 15 per cent and the industry is taking it more seriously now," she explained.

Corrina Wright Corrina Wright, sixth generation in the Oliver family and current director and winemaker at Oliver's Taranga — Get insider secrets from the owners and makers. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Stop two: Golding Wines, Adelaide Hills

Now, it’s helicopter time. No more four wheels for us, it’s birds-eye views from here-on-out. We soar over vineyards and vast countryside, all the while chatting with our pilot, thanks to sturdy headsets that offset the noise of the propellers. An easy 20-minute ride has us in a whole new wine country and vineyard: Golding Wines .

outdoor tasting platform at Golding Wines, Adelaide Hills — Taste wines in the great outdoors. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Owners Lucy and Darren Golding are waiting for us beside their winery, but before heading inside, we’re whisked up to a bespoke tasting platform built on a hilltop, with gorgeous views over the vines. Here, we snack once again, chomping on freshly baked focaccia bread, dips and other goodies crafted using produce from the onsite estate kitchen garden. While the Goldings talk us through their vision and the wines they brought for us to taste.

Next is lunch at their restaurant, Ginko . We sit outdoors amongst the apple trees as several dishes are brought to us. The menu here shows off the best of South Australia, focusing on locally-sourced, seasonal produce.

Sit down to lunch at Ginko restaurant, Golding Wines, Adelaide Hills — Sit down to lunch at Ginko restaurant.

Stop three: Kimbolton Wines, Langhorne Creek

Satisfactorily full, but not to the point we have to worry about weighing down the helicopter, we jump back in our ride and soar over to Langhorne Creek. This might be a lesser-known and smaller wine region of South Australia, but if Kimbolton Wines is any indication, it packs a serious punch.

wine and cheese pairing experience at Kimbolton Wines — Try a range of wine and cheese pairings. (Image: Kimbolton Wines)

Here we meet one half of the brother-sister duo, Nicole Clark. As the fifth-generation owners of Kimbolton, the family have grown up with winemaking in their blood, and put it to good use. Clark takes us into the adorable converted shipping container tasting room where a line of wines and a platter of cheeses are waiting. With what little space we have left in our stomachs, we start my favourite activity of the three stops: experimenting with wine and cheese pairings.

With incredibly happy tastebuds, the time comes to catch our helicopter back to where it all began, Oliver’s Taranga, before heading back to our hotel in Adelaide for a well-earned nap.

aerial of helicopter on Ascend Wine Odyssey — Fly between stops for a unique experience.

The details

An Ascend Wine Odyssey tour runs daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm (unless the weather interferes). The cost is $7000 per couple, with a two-person per-tour maximum (weight limits apply). Start and finish at Oliver’s Taranga, and find your own way to and from this winery – it’s an easy 40-minute drive from Adelaide.

Feast your way through Sun Country on the Murray – a beautiful and bountiful region in northern Victoria with gourmet delights galore.

Nestled on the lands of the Yorta Yorta People along the mighty Murray River, Sun Country is a truly extraordinary place. The northern Victorian enclave is a tapestry of meandering waterways, ancient forests, sandy beaches, enchanting country towns and an easy way of life.

Beyond its landscapes and bucolic charm, Sun Country on the Murray is a culinary paradise: think farm-fresh produce, family-run wineries and no shortage of places to feast.

If you’re a serious foodie or simply epicurious, here’s your ultimate guide to a gourmand Murray River getaway.

The Murray Farm Gate Trail

The self-guided Murray Gate Farm Trail lets you sample the area’s best produce while immersing yourself in the lush Goulburn and Murray Valleys. The trail has something to suit every palate and pace, but there are a few notable highlights.

1. Rich Glen

Rich Glen Provedore and Rich Glen Skin & Beauty — Stock up at Rich Glen. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Rich Glen is renowned for its award-winning olive oils. Everything is grown and created on the family farm in Yarrawonga, the results of which you can visit at Rich Glen Provedore – a treasure trove of gourmet foods, including that signature olive oil. Or explore Rich Glen Skin & Beauty, which stocks lush handmade skincare and wellness products.

2. How Now Dairy

A charming micro-farm producing ethical dairy, How Now Dairy , lets its baby calves remain with their mothers and its cows roam on rolling pesticide-free pastures. Try a selection of cheeses that do good and taste good, including a fantastic punchy blue, and velvety milk with a thick, creamy top.

3. Cactus Country

Cactus Country in the murray — Stop into Cactus Country. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Cactus Country is a 12-acre stretch of desert-like garden containing cacti of all shapes, sizes and colours. Naturally, it makes the most of its bounty at the on-site bar and restaurant, with a cactus-infused dessert menu alongside a vibrant line-up of Mexican snacks and mains.

4. The Olde Creamery

The Olde Creamery is a local icon, a former hobby farm that has flourished into a thriving purveyor of flowers and foods. The elderflower cordial and bramble gin and tonic jam are must-tries, and make for tasty mementoes of your trip.

Wineries, breweries and distilleries

The region’s sunny climate and rich soils make it a prime place for viticulture. If wine isn’t your thing, you’ll also find boutique breweries and distilleries producing top-notch beers and spirits.

1. Squires Winery

a couple sitting at the bar at squire's winery, sun country on the murray — Pop in for a tasting. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With its idyllic positioning on the Ovens River, Squires Winery is a lovely setting for a long, leisurely lunch or tasting. Enjoy a riverside sip of prosecco, rosé or cab sauv, complemented by seasonal bites and a backdrop of towering gum trees.

2. Cape Horn Vineyard

Cape Horn is one of the region’s most established vineyards. Its sparkling durif/shiraz is a crowd favourite and well worth trying on your foodie tour, especially if it’s served with one of the winery’s delicious wood-fired pizzas.

3. Byramine Homestead & Brewery

A top pick among beer, cider and history enthusiasts, Byramine serves a rotation of brews made on-site in the historic homestead. Wander through the venue and learn about its colonial past before sitting down to a freshly made Ploughman’s and cold local ale.

4. Monichino Wines

Monichino is a slice of la dolce vita in northern Victoria, producing classic Italian varietals like pinot grigio and aromatica. Drop by for a tasting at the cellar door (open weekends or by appointment) and explore everything from crisp whites to robust fortified wines, or pack a picnic and savour your glass in the picturesque gardens.

5. Corowa Distilling Co

Corowa Distilling Co crafts an incredible variety of single-malt and blended whiskies, and is a beloved spot among locals and visitors alike. Stop in for a tasting flight in the whisky room, or a hearty breakfast or lunch paired with a wee dram.

Farm-to-table dining

If you’ve got the time to linger over a gourmet spread, Sun Country on the Murray has an abundance of outstanding restaurants and cafes.

1. O’Reilly’s Food and Wine

O’Reilly’s feels much like stepping into a good friend’s home, albeit with a refined twist. The menu changes weekly and rotates through a selection of comforting yet elevated dishes – think lamb cottage pie, French-style moussaka, a perennially popular open steak sandwich and cakes that change flavours weekly.

2. Stock and Barrel

a couple eating at Stock and Barrel victoria — Soak in views of Lake Mulwala. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Tucked inside The Sebel Yarrawonga hotel, overlooking sparkling Lake Mulwala, Stock and Barrel does pub classics with a Sun Country spin. Order a perfectly seared steak and triple-cooked potatoes alongside a freshly poured pint, or try a regional highlight: local produce features abundantly across Stock and Barrel’s dishes.

3. The Bend

With spacious decks and panoramic views of the Murray, The Bend is ideal for a sun-soaked long lunch. Order a round of moreish share plates (like baja fish tacos and a warm-from-the-oven brioche loaf stuffed with cream cheese and herbs) or a signature cocktail and indulgent main – we can’t go past the slow-braised wagyu brisket.

4. Blacksmith Provedore

If you’re after a slick yet relaxed dining destination, head to Blacksmith Provedore . Perched right next to Lake Mulwala, the venue is airy and elegant, with a minimalist-chic design. The pizzas are seriously good too, made with 72-hour fermented dough and toppings sourced from Italy’s finest producers.

5. Broken Willow

As soon as you enter Broken Willow ’s front doors, you’re greeted with genuine hospitality and a classic bistro menu that has something for everyone: succulent grilled meats, parmas and schnitzels, juicy burgers, and international dishes ranging from weekly curry and stir-fry specials to zippy banh mi.

While you’re there

Thompson Beach in sun country on the murray — Discover plenty to do between meals. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

Got a few hours to spare? Make the most of your trip by exploring the natural wonders and rich cultural heritage of your riverside surroundings.

Barmah National Park is a sanctuary of walks through majestic river red gums and serene wetlands. Here, a seat on board a Kingfisher River Cruise offers a different Murray experience, letting you see the vast river from the perspective of the Yorta Yorta peoples.

If you’re a watersport enthusiast, Lake Mulwala in Yarrawonga is a favourite for canoeing, cruising, fishing, kayaking and water skiing. While the silo murals at Katamatite, St James, Tungamah and more recently Waaia are essential stops in Victoria’s famed Silo Art Trail .

In Cobram Barooga, make sure to visit Thompson’s Beach, the largest inland beach in the southern hemisphere. Nearby, the Bullanginya Dreaming project is an award-winning 1.8km immersive art experience that immerses you in light and sound to tell a rich story of country, culture and connection.

Start planning a tasty getaway to Sun Country on The Murray at suncountryonthemurray.com.au.

The most luxurious wine tour in Australia