When we were in Melbourne we rented a car and drove out to Mt. Langi Ghiran winery. We sell their wines and thought it would be cool to meet the folks who make it, and see the place. Well, it was a trip!

This winemaking region is very remote — and desolate — compared to McLaren Vale and Barossa. I think they said the nearest vineyards to them are 6Km away. Unlike the Barossa and McLaren Vale, which reminded me of California wine regions, this reminded me more of the California desert, off of Highway 395.

The winery itself was startling in this location, and the little area it’s in is beautiful. We had lunch there, which was simple and fabulous — little sandwiches, cheese, and fresh fruit — and some of their wines. Their wines are great, particularly their reisling, their shiraz, and their Cab-Merlot blend.

One problem they’re having this growing season is lack of water. It’s been so dry in the area that the local water authority has cut their ratio of water. We went up to the local reservoir to check it out. The stumps are normally below the water line.

As a side note, driving to the winery we went through a town called Ballarat. Ballarat has a tourist radio station, on which they play (among other things) the Ballarat song, a waltz which describes all the wonderful things in Ballarat. (They also play the Begonia Waltz, which lists all the kinds of begonias grown in Ballarat. But that’s another story). Anyway, in the Ballarat Song, I believe it’s mentioned that Ballarat is the “birthplace of Democracy.” Take that, Athens!