Hamiltons Bluff has been laying low over the past few years, trying to survive the perils of the drought and the grape glut, which saw massive drops in fruit prices and wineries across the country simply unable to accommodate fruit.

“Our strategy was to cut back and run things as simply as possible,” said Hamiltons Bluff’s James Andrews.

“It is still important to be cautious as the industry isn’t out of the woods yet, but we have continued to produce some excellent quality fruit over the past few years and have managed to make smaller quantities of wine which we are really happy with.”

Over 40 people gathered at dusk on Friday, September 7, to sample Hamiltons Bluff’s 2002, 2004 and 2005 vintages of Sangiovese wines.

The Andrews family first planted Sangiovese vines in 1999 after a trip to Italy convinced them the variety would thrive in Canowindra.

Food matches designed to compliment the wines were offered to guests, such as spicy chorizo sausage with green tomato chutney, and walnut bread with aged parmigiano reggiano.

“Wine is always so much better with a great food match,’ said Hamiltons Bluff’s Julia Andrews.

“It’s all about great company, great food and great wine...and we are very fortunate to have it all here in Canowindra.”

Hamiltons Bluff and other Canowindra wines can be tasted and purchased from Canowindra’s major wine tasting venue “Taste Canowindra”, open seven days.

Taste Canowindra is also a café and gallery, exhibiting a large selection of works by local artists.