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where the ferry docks, is a good place to start your wine tasting. In town opposite the Penneshaw Hotel is located the outlet for Dudley Wines which was established in 1994 and has 3 vineyards in the eastern end of the island on the Dudley Peninsula. This is the largest KI producer with 9 different wine styles.

I was most impressed with their Grassy Flat Sauvignon Blanc having a distinctive herbaceous aroma. Other offers in their Island Range included Chardonnay, Merlot, Rose, Shiraz and a Shiraz blend which were of good standard. The two premium reds were Porky Flat Shiraz (soft, smooth and peppery) and Hog Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, both being top notch and I wished I could afford to buy a case of both. Finally, I tried Mary's Blush, which is promoted as a very popular sparkling Cabernet blend, having strawberry overtones. Not really a man's drink?

Where to next?

The other cellar doors include the Andermel Marron and Two Wheeler Creek Wines where a small winery is combined with a unique farming establishment of fresh water crayfish called a "marron". These grow to about one foot size and are harvested to provide a white flesh delicacy which can be sampled while wine tasting, and more so in their adjacent cafe. The Two Wheeler wines include, Shiraz and sparkling Shiraz, Cab. Sauv, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a special sparkling white. The Island 2007 blend of Shiraz 62%, Cab Sauv 23%, Merlot 15% aged in oak for a year, was to my liking, it being a dark brick color with a fine berry aroma.

Close to Pennashaw and on a superb hilltop site, is Sunset Winery where visitors can sip and nibble in a delightful patio area and view the stunning coastal scenery. The water fountain here attracts the Ligerian bees for a drink while heading home to the Island Honey Farm. A similar range of wines is offered including a fine Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot 2007 blend. But what could be better than a cool crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a plate of KI oysters on the shell, to sample while watching the sun set?

Tourists using Kingscote town as a base have only a short drive to experience the Bay of Shoals Winery which is proud of its Pelican brand of wines. This hilltop locality overlooks the Bay of Shoals and Reeves Point where the first settlers arrived to South Australia. The Sauvignon Blanc 07 and 08 are topnotch, and you can also browse through the adjacent art gallery showing creations by local artists and sculptors. Always there is a sparkling Shiraz to brighten one's day and inspire you later to have an adventurous evening at the local Kingscote pubs, namely the Queenscliffe Hotel and the Ozone Hotel!

Finally there is the serious Cape d'Estaing Winery at Emu Bay on the North Coast, not far from Kingscote. A 10 hectare vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes. Their objective is to produce premium reds and they have succeeded in winning many medals. No fiddling around with white wines for them! The grapes are hand picked at optimum times to produce their Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines which are aged in oak for 18 months or more. Famous is their Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon 01, 03 which is aged in oak for 28 months, with a final bottle fermentation. Great stuff!

Kangaroo Island off the south coast of South Australia has many attractions for the tourist. I have concentrated on the wineries which are a delight, being so new and fascinating. In between times you can go and pat a koala or feed a kangaroo in a wildlife reserve, or look at seals and penguins, go fishing off the beach or a boat, or just kick up the white sand on the many beautiful ocean surf beaches that surround the island. It is a great place for a vacation.

Learn more about this author, Allan Taylor.
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