I'd have to say that James Tilbrook is one of the best winemakers in the Adelaide Hills (you could probably say in Australia to be fair). The cellar door is tucked away in the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills building in Lobethal, and is not the easiest place to find. It's also not a particularly huge a space, nor is it catered to groups looking for a nice/clean cellar door experience. But the point is the wine. It is superb. In particular, the Chardonnay is remarkable. The estate chardonnay is good - very, very good. But you should treat yourself and drink the reserve chardonnay while you're there. Made from special little pockets of heaven it is very much like being transported to Burgundy. The only difference is that this wine would cost you about ten times the price if it came from France. The other wines are great too, don't get me wrong (very lovely Pinot and a cracking Syrah as well). I always enjoy coming to this place because when I go wine tasting I want to do that - taste wine.
There's cheese/meat plates which are very easy to eat, and some quite delicious options of wood-oven pizzas. They have lovely outdoor seating, and some tables nestled back in the space between all of the barrels. This really gives you a feel that this is a working space. It's not the same clean "restaurant style" experience you might get at other big wineries. But just look at that glass of delicious liquid you wisely purchased!!
A couple of warnings for those of you reading this and thinking, "wow, a cellar door I've not heard of/been to, and this guy thinks it's amazing, let's drop the kids off with their grandparents and head for the hills". Don't expect to necessarily have the experience befitting of the wine. The place itself is quite small, at least the cellar door is, and they can get quite busy and only having one or two people working there means it might be a few minutes before anyone asks you where you're from, why you're there and all the other usual cellar door chit-chat. Maybe just wait, read some of the tasting notes and slow down. The wine is worth waiting for. That being said. The last time I was there the winemaker sat with us to eat, took a genuine interest in our experience of his wine, remembered we'd been there before (about a year ago) and asked our opinion on his plans for the new cellar door location he's putting together. Now you don't get that at Jacobs Creek!
After you've been to this little hole in the wall place you might want somewhere a little bigger, and with some views and there are several other options very close by. But do yourself a favour and buy a couple of bottles of Chardonnay before you leave because it is a very wise investment in your happiness. read more
