Humbug Reach Vineyard

27/09/2021

Yesterday we harvested the last of the Humbug honey. Paul moved the bees to their new home at Coles Bay recently but the honey was still made at humbug. It wasn’t a huge harvest but poignant as today the new owner of Humbug Reach takes up residence. It’s been a rocky start for them as restrictions in Sydney have delayed their move but we hope their new life at Humbug Reach will make it all worthwhile.
It was a bit sad that our kids couldn’t make it home to say goodbye to their childhood home but so glad that we had a big Christmas with 40 of our nearest and dearest just before COVID hit (sadly Kieran and Jagger couldn’t make it) .
Now we are looking forward to making memories at our new home in Coles Bay. We are so fortunate to be living in another beautiful place and can’t wait to share it with friends and family when borders open.
Our very best wishes to the new owners of Humbug Reach!!

16/04/2021

Since we became a hobby vineyard we haven’t bought many new barrels but this year because it might be our last vintage we wanted to give the fruit some special treatment. Paul bought a new Francois frere barrel and today the fruit was pressed into a mix of old and new barrels. This gives the wine more structural complexity and introduces some flavours from the oak. We think the slightly spicy notes from the Francois frere barrels goes very well with our grapes. It will be a couple of years before we get to enjoy a bottle!!

08/04/2021

Glorious sticky deliciousness! We love the honey from our bees but also appreciate all the other benefits. They do a fantastic job pollinating our fruit and veggies. Last christmas we picked enough raspberries to last us the whole year. And the wax is useful in so many ways. So far we have made lip balm and moisturisers, beeswax wraps and furniture polish.
We have a lot to thank Paul’s ‘girls’ for!!

08/04/2021

A different harvest today. First honey for the year. Some very cross bees trying to get into the house. Paul told them he had left the main box full of honey for them to feed on over winter but they are still angrily buzzing around.
A sparse harvest but delicious!!

08/04/2021

We picked the last of the pinot yesterday. Vintage is safely over for another year. A little bittersweet as it may be our last. Thanks to our friends who have helped us this vintage - and to those who have been coming for more than 20 years. Time certainly flies when you are having fun!!

01/04/2021

Another glorious day picking Chardonnay at Humbug Reach. Such a pleasure to pick when the fruit is in good condition. Fab fruit flavours should make for a delicious wine. Thanks to
our friends who helped out today. Small batch winemaking - rustic but effective!

31/03/2021

A gorgeous day to be picking pinot at Humbug Reach. Thanks to our friends who came to help. Some have been here every vintage for 20 years.
Chardonnay coming off tomorrow and one more pinot pick after Easter. Thank you weather gods !

24/02/2021

My friend Peter says the previous photo that I posted was terrible. Well it was snapped from my bed!! Anyway here are a couple more that give a much better view of ‘the view’ from our bedroom.

23/02/2021

After more than 20 years and almost as many vintages our home ‘Humbug Reach’ is on the market. This is the fabulous view through the vines to the Tamar River that starts my day here. I will miss it when we sell. Pic taken from my bed!!

28/11/2020

After 20 + vintages, Humbug Reach is for sale

A blog about gourmet travel of interest to those who love wine and food.