Be the first to try the New Release Wines at Contentious Character Winemaker’s Dinner

The new releases include the 2016 Cabernet Merlot. Photos: Supplied.

Canberra Wine Week is back for 2019, and with this year’s theme Expect the Unexpected, the program includes over 40 tempting events running from April 5-14. An annual initiative of the Canberra District Wine Industry Association and it’s members, it showcases the best wine, food and wine tourism experience the Canberra region has to offer in and around the city in Autumn.

“Contentious Character vineyard and winery always embraces Canberra District’s’ Wine Week with enthusiasm and look to bring something different to the table and make it relevant to people’s interests at the time and season,” said Tony Mansfield, who makes up one quarter of the Contentious Character team and heads up all things Brand and Marketing for the company.

“For us, a farm to plate philosophy is not just about food but can also be about wine. We grow it on our property, make it on our property and pair it with foods grown in and around Wamboin, some of which we grow ourselves. So there’s an authenticity to the integration of our food and wine that we like to demonstrate in Wine Week.”

“This year, Canberra Wine Week also coincides with our next release of wines and so we couldn’t afford not to have a Winemakers Dinner to introduce those wines along with a tour and talk on how Jeremy Wilson, one of the Contentious Characters and our Winemaker, made these wines what they are,” shared Tony.

The Contentious Character Winemakers Dinner will be held on Saturday 6 April. The evening will commence on the deck of the property to watch the sunset on the last day of Daylight Savings with a glass of something special in hand. Diners will then move downstairs to the winery’s barrel room for the talk and tour of the vicissitudes of making the new releases.

The new releases include the 2016 Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Pinot Gris, 2017 Chardonnay and 2017 ‘Rough End of the Pineapple’ Pinot Noir. Many drinks and stories will be shared throughout the evening, including the interesting tale behind the ‘Rough End of the Pineapple’ Pinot Noir. “Winemaker Jeremy thought he would end up washing it down the drain of experience but managed to bring this delicious wine back to life with a few twists and turns,” revealed Tony.

As usual, Chef Tom Stoneham, who has been with Contentious Character since the beginning, is very familiar with the wines coming off the property. He has prepared a four-course menu of great pairings bringing the best wine experience he can to the table.

The 2018 Pinot Gris.

The Pinot Gris which is full of ripe fruit flavours of peach, lemon, lime with hints of honey, ginger and cloves, will be served with a Slow cooked Dewsbury pork with parsnip and pear, while the dry Pinot Noir is paired with Seared duck breast, pickled cucumber and local plum sauce.

The slow-cooked Dewsbury pork is a crowd favourite and will include parsnip and pear this time, instead of braised lettuce and peas (as pictured), to compliment the wine.

The big earthy Cabernet Merlot will accompany a dish of Rangers Valley beef, mushroom and duck fat potatoes. To end the evening, dessert will be a Banana parfait with caramel and lime, matched with the Chardonnay which contains hints of pineapple, jackfruit and coconut right through to rich toffee and butterscotch notes.

2017 Chardonnay.

Be the first to try the new release wines at Contentious Character Winemaker’s Dinner, Saturday 6 April. Book your tickets here.