61 Vickers Lane, Nagambie 3608
(aka the Heathcote Nagambie Road)
61 Vickers Lane, Nagambie 3608
(aka the Heathcote Nagambie Road)
Inspired by the
Mediterranean.
Uniquely Australian.
Named for both the signature characteristics of Nebbiolo, and the original winemaking team of Don Lewis and Narelle King.
The original Tar & Roses team of Don Lewis and Narelle King began their winemaking journey in Priorat, Spain, immersing themselves within the classic Mediterranean wine regions and varietals. This sparked an interest in how these varietals could be grown and made back home in their native regions of Central Victoria, Australia.
Tar & Roses reflects the multi-regions of Spain, Italy and Australia, as well as traditional winemaking alongside the new. All Tar & Roses wines are lovingly made using fruit grown in Heathcote, Strathbogie Ranges, King Valley and Priorat, Spain.
Inspired by Mediterranean grape varietals, our range stretches from the delicious viscous Pinot Grigio to the complex tannic Nebbiolo.
It's the little things that make the difference... the care and continued maintenance of the wines during maturation, the constant monitoring of temperature and acid levels during ferment plus the use of quality fruit at the outset combine to ensure a quality wine result. We want to produce wines that have individual flair and are distinctly varietal and reflective of their terroir as grown here in Australia.
Narelle KingDon Lewis cemented his name in Australian wine industry history by winning the 1991 Jimmy Watson Trophy.
Sadly, 2017 saw the passing of Don Lewis and the final vintage of his legendary career. His legacy lives on in the Tar & Roses tradition of championing Italian and Spanish varietals, helping new world wine drinkers explore new flavours, and in the 'Lewis' Riesling.
OPEN THE FIRST WEEKEND EVERY MONTH FROM 10-4
Due to the ongoing, unpredictable COVID situation and intermittent lockdown orders, please check our Instagram account for Cellar Door opening information.
Due to the worsening COVID-19 situation we have made the decision to close the Cellar Door until further notice. Please contact us at info@tarandroses.com.au if you have any queries.
Open Days 2024 - 10am to 4pm
3 & 4 February
2 &3 March
6 &7 April
4 & 5May
1 & 2 June
6 & 7 July
3 & 4 August
7 & 8 September
5 & 6 October
2 &3 November
7 & 8 Dec
3 & 4 February
2 &3 March
6 &7 April
4 & 5May
1 & 2 June
6 & 7 July
3 & 4 August
7 & 8 September
5 & 6 October
2 &3 November
7 & 8 Dec
Opening Hours
10 am to 4 pm
61 Vickers Lane (otherwise known as the Heathcote Nagambie Road)
Nagambie 3608
Basket Pressed & Barrel Fermented Pinot Gris
Sourced from a beautifully maintained single vineyard on Main Ridge, Mornington Peninsula. Grapes were hand picked in the cool of the early morning & cropped at 1 tonne to the acre. Upon arriving at the winery, the bunches were destemmed and transferred into a 100 year old, traditional basket pressed. After a gentle hand pressing, the juice was racked to seasoned French oak barriques for fermentation & maturation for approximately 11 months with some occasional battonage.
Sourced from a beautifully maintained single vineyard on Main Ridge, Mornington Peninsula. Grapes were hand picked in the cool of the early morning & cropped at 1 tonne to the acre. Upon arriving at the winery, the bunches were destemmed and transferred into a 100 year old, traditional basket pressed. After a gentle hand pressing, the juice was racked to seasoned French oak barriques for fermentation & maturation for approximately 11 months with some occasional battonage.
Pale bran straw in colour. Ripe stone fruit and cumquats on the nose with hints of apricot, dried fruit and a touch of orange blossom. The palate is generous and viscous with a slight phenolic grip, oak complexity and a firm acid line. Delicious
Pan seared scallops with pea puree & crisp prosciutto
Cropped at approximately 2 tonnes per acre, the grapes were handpicked then transferred to open pot fermenters for 12 days with 15% whole bunch, the remainder whole berries.
Juice was gently pumped over once a day before racking to French oak barrels for maturation of which 10% were new.
Cropped at approximately 2 tonnes per acre handpicked fruit was sourced from cool, higher altitude, prime vineyard sites on the Mornington Peninsula.
Whole bunch pressed to French oak hogsheads (12% new) for fermentation and maturation for 12 months on lees in oak before bottling.
A SPRITZY YET SOFT PALATE OF LIGHT GREEN APPLE AND CITRUS MOUSSE, REFRESHING WITH A CRISP ACID FINISH.
A spritzy yet soft palate of light green apple and citrus mousse, refreshing with a crisp acid finish.
The grapes were machine harvested, crushed and pressed through an air bag press in the protective presence of SO2. Cold tank fermentation was undertaken at between 10 to 12 degrees celcius. Pressings and free run were fermented separately but combined post fermentation, after which the wines were stabilised and blended. The base wine was then sent for secondary fermentation which was undertaken in Charmat (pressurised) tanks. Yeast, nutrients and sucrose were added.
A spritzy yet soft palate of light green apple and citrus mousse, refreshing with a crisp acid finish, with a lifted bouquet of green apples, grapefruit with hints of pear and spring flowers.
Prosciutto wrapped fresh melon.
The wine has a lifted aroma of creamy berry compote with hints of tangerine and honeydew melon sweetness.
**wine colour in bottle photo is indicative only**
Fresh and lively with citrus notes that combine beautifully with a mouth filling viscosity. The wine finishes crisp and long.
**wine colour in bottle photo is indicative only**
Each year we make this wine in a style we love to drink. Some years it might be Nebbiolo or, like this year, Sangiovese. What we want is a crisp, aromatic & dry style that drinks both well on its own but, more importantly, with food. Using these varietals also helps us achieve a trademark, savoury character that complements the fruit profi le, all making for a delicious wine screaming to be paired with seasonal dishes.
The wine has a lifted aroma of creamy berry compote with hints of tangerine and honeydew melon sweetness. The palate is full of intense berries and melon, lifted and fresh with the fl avours of citrus and melon combining beautifully. The wine has a textural mouth coating quality that leaves you wanting more. A well balanced wine that fi nishes dry
Seafood or charcuturie
An embodiment of the name Tar & Roses, this wine shows lifted floral aromas with hints of herbal tea and spearmint. The palate is fleshy with substantial tannins and long, lingering acidity.
Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE, 1 September, 2019
From sangiovese to nero d'Avola, montepulciano and more, there’s a perfect Italian red wine for every occasion. Renowned for their boldness in flavour, while holding impressive substance and character, the red wines of Italy are of benchmark quality, and enjoyed all over the world. Explore this striking bottle by Australian winemaker, Tar & Roses. Narelle King says: "Burnt cherry red in colour, with lifted floral and carnation notes, and hints of black tea and herbs on the nose. Substantial tannin on the palate; lingering and fleshy.
Halliday Wine Companion, 13 June, 2019
James Halliday
90 Points
Mid-ruby and bright; such a complex nose of raspberry fruit, joss sticks, aniseed, basil, violets, menthol and old cedar - all appealing. While that entices, it's a false alarm: the palate is not at all ready to give a look in as it's tightly coiled with acidity and raspy tannins doing battle and they need time to settle. (Jane Faulkner)
Halliday Wine Companion 2019
A DELICIOUS MOUTH FILLING BURST OF MANY FLAVOURS REMINISCENT OF APPLE PIE AND BICKFORDS LIME CORDIAL WITH A TOUCH OF CLOVES.
From one of Australia's best Riesling winemakers, comes this impeccably structured wine. It's overflowing with orange and quince blossom, hints of mint and thyme. Deliciously mouth-filling, the palate explodes with lemon and lime flavours that take you all the way to a crisp, dry, lingering finish. This is craftsmanship in motion. Try it with asparagus wrapped in prosciutto or fresh oysters.
When picked at optimal level of ripeness, the riesling grape has a beautiful dusty pale lemony gold colour, with a sweet musk stick flavour. With care and attention, we aim to retain these characters through to the finished wine.
A zesty palate of lemon and orange pith, fruit sweet and refreshing with a long linear tight acid finish, with a lifted bouquet of orange blossom with hints of musk sticks.
Freshly shucked oysters with sea salt.
Halliday Wine Companion - 2022 Riesling 96 points GOLD
The late Don Lewis was a star riesling winemaker. This wine named in his honour lives up to the Lewis style in both fruit concentration and class and is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2021 vintage. At once delicate and floral but with a solid core of pure, intense lime and citrus. A pitch-perfect riesling embracing a touch of savoury lemongrass, a pinch of spice and a brisk sherbety tingle set to some racy acidity. Age will be kind to it.
Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port Published 02 August 2023
Campbell Mattinson - 90 Points
Indeed it has some class. Lime blossom, blood orange, stonefruit and talc flavours purr through the mouth before gliding evenly and well through the finish. It felt fractionally jumbled at first but given some air it ironed itself out. It’s a very attractive wine to drink.
The Wine Front, 28 March, 2019
Huon Hooke
Light-straw colour, with a softly floral aroma, clean and gentle, with hints of gardenia and Easter lily; the palate likewise, with softness, roundness and accessibility. The length is very good.
The Real Review, 20 March, 2019
Top Gold - 96 Points
Class 01. Riesling and Other Aromatics eg. Traminer, Frontiac.
Victorian Wine Show 2018
A LUSCIOUS TEXTURAL WINE WITH MOUTH FILLING JUICY PEAR AND HONEYDEW MELON CHARACTERS, WELL BALANCED, CRUNCHY ACIDITY.
Alluringly fragrant with sweet nashi pear, white stone fruit and mandarin fruit flavours, bundled up in bright natural acidity. Hints of honeydew melon dance around the edges. It’s rich, viscous and elegant, a testament to the winemaking prowess of Narelle King. Enjoy it alongside snapper in burnt butter sauce.
In 2024 our pinot grigio was sourced from four main vineyards; one in the King Valley, one in Sutton Grange, the Stratford Vineyard just north of Nagambie as well as the Mitchelton vineyard. The higher altitude of the first two vineyards provide cooler conditions, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, ideal for the development of the delicious classic fresh peach and pear flavours, while the warmer region brings out the more tropical aromas of the flavour spectrum.
The palate is generous with abundant fruit sweetness of mandarins and pears. Nashi pears and white peach on the nose with hints of guava, floral blossom and citrus notes of mandarin.
Grilled snapper in soy ginger sauce.
CLASSIC CENTRAL VICTORIAN SHIRAZ BLEND, REPLETE WITH SWEET BLACK CHERRY, BLOOD PLUM AND LIQUORICE CHARACTERS.
High praise comes in far and wide for this Heathcote Shiraz. It’s typical of the region showing black cherry and fennel aromas alongside a palate that’s broad and savoury with hints of blood plum, liquorice and roasted beetroot. It’s juicy, well balanced and sensational value to boot. A great partner for salt-crusted eye fillet.
As with previous vintages, the grapes come from two main vineyards, one off the deep red Cambrian soil, the other from tougher more gravelly ground. The first gives us rich, chocolatey and earthy flavours whilst the other has more highly fragrant notes with good acid and sweet fruit. The wine that results is our take on Heathcote shiraz.
Rhubarb and mulberry flavours on the palate. Mouth filling with fine grainy tannins, well balanced with a clean finish. Ripe black and red berry fruits with liquorice, spice and warm earth.
Chargrilled eye fillet with a fresh garden salad dressed with oil and balsamic vinegar.
RICH, RIPE DARK CHERRIES, BLOOD PLUMS AND MULBERRIES. AN ELEGANTLY CRAFTED PALATE WITH FINE TANNINS AND A LONG FINISH.
Rich, ripe dark cherries, blood plums and mulberries. An elegantly crafted palate with fine tannins and a long finish.
Grapes come from a selection of vineyards in Heathcote. Two are off the deep red Cambrian soil and the third comes from tougher more gravelly ground. The Cambrian delivers intense wines with chocolate and earth while the other terroir is more highly fragrant with good acid and sweet fruit.
Aromas of black mulberries, mint and spice with hints of chocolate and vanilla.
An elegantly crafted palate of rich, ripe dark cherries, blood plums and mulberries with fine tannins and a long finish.
Barbecued Wagyu with garlic mash, roasted beetroot and a fresh garden salad.
Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points GOLD
Hand-picked fruit from 3 vineyards, each parcel kept separate. Crushed and destemmed. Racked off gross lees and into barrel for mlf and maturation in French barriques (28% new). Contains a powerful fruit component from ancient Cambrian soil, which helps explain the generosity, energy and textural intrigue in this wine. Packed with blackberry, dark chocolate and dried herbs. Rolls out across the palate with an earthy warmth and fine tannic edge. One to age.
Jeni Port (Halliday) - August 2021
Campbell Mattinson 93 Points
Not so much roses, but plenty of tar. Malt, licorice, asphalt and peppercoprn flavours too, and not a little dark chocolate/vanilla on top. It’s rich, cuddly, well-integrated and seductive, though alcohol warmth does show. Tannin is fine and well massaged into the fruit. In all it’s a mighty example of shiraz from the Heathcote region, and a smooth/seamless one too.
The Wine Front, 28 March, 2019
Gold Medal
Saint Martin Oak Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2017
AN OPULENT WINE WITH RASPBERRIES, POMEGRANATES AND SPICE NOTES ON A BED OF POWDERY TANNINS, AND A TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE ON THE FINISH.
AN OPULENT WINE WITH RASPBERRIES, POMEGRANATES AND SPICE NOTES ON A BED OF POWDERY TANNINS, AND A TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE ON THE FINISH.
In contrast to the Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, the Tempranillo is an early ripener and has no problem reaching full maturity in the soils at Heathcote.
A complex nose of raspberries and spice with currants, red liquorice and hints of incense and musk. Raspberries, pomegranates and spice on the palate, and a touch of chocolate on the finish.
Lamb tagine and rice pilaf with dried cranberries and raisins.
Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points
Shimmering in deep purple with aromas set to lifted and intense in earth, bay leaf, black cherry, licorice and rosemary. A wine of some poise and class which belies the pricepoint. Succulent fruit holds the key to its charm, enhanced by a touch of savouriness and guided by ripe, cherry tannins. No reason not to open now, but it can also take time in bottle.
Jeni Port (Halliday) - 06 July 2023
LIFTED MULBERRY CHARACTERS WITH DUSTY EARTH AND SPICE WITH FINE TANNINS, CRUNCHY ACIDITY AND A HINT OF SPICE.
Lifted mulberry characters with dusty earth and spice with fine tannins, crunchy acidity and a hint of spice. It’s a red wine made for food.
Sangiovese is a thin-skinned variety like Nebbiolo, known for its herbal & spice notes more than its fruity notes. It has an attractive mid red colour and is characterised by high levels of tannin, well balanced by acid. It is suited to well drained soils with abundant sunlight, both of which the Heathcote vineyard provides.
Lifted mulberry characters with dusty earth and spice. Medium bodied with dried herbs, fine substantial tannins, crunchy acidity and a long finish.
Wild boar ragu with homemade pasta
2021 Sangiovese
Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points
Matured in seasoned barriques. Thoughts immediately rush to pizza, it's that kind of sangiovese. Gets the tastebuds singing with the first rush of black cherry scents with redcurrant, thyme and pepper. Seriously smashable with its vibrancy, its mix of dark chocolate, cola, cherry, licorice and light savouriness running across the palate. Plenty of charm.
Jeni Port (Halliday) - 03 August 2022
GOLD MEDAL
AUSTRALIAN ALTERNATIVE VARIETIES
WINE SHOW 2020
WET BITUMEN MELDS WITH FLORAL NOTES, DAMP EARTH AND HINTS OF LEATHER AND CRANBERRY. FINE SUBSTANTIAL TANNIN ON THE PALATE, DRIED PETALS PLUS EARTHY TAR, ELEGANT AND LONG.
Tar and roses are flavours synonymous with nebbiolo and this red embodies the name like no other. Black liquorice sweetness, leather and olive tapenade characters, combined with bold tannins give this impressive wine flexibility to cellar for several years. It will go down a treat with your classic spaghetti al pomodoro.
Nebbiolo is a thin skinned variety known for its unusually light colour and deceptively high level of tannins. In fertile soils it can produce large crops with large bunches and berries. The Heathcote vineyard, while close to the rich deep Cambrian vein of soil, is tempered by harder granite gravels that has seen the vines produce a more balanced canopy to crop ratio. The balanced crop level has meant even ripening and minimal disease pressures.
Wet bitumen melds with floral notes, damp earth and hints of leather and cranberry. Fine substantial tannin on the palate, dried petals plus earthy tar, elegant and long on the finish.
Chargrilled rib of beef with porcini butter
An embodiment of the name Tar & Roses, this wine shows lifted floral aromas with hints of herbal tea and spearmint. The palate is fleshy with substantial tannins and long, lingering acidity.
Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE, 1 September, 2019
Sweet raspberry like fruit on the front palate. The wine flows across the palate beautifully with fine tannins, good acid and flavour balance, great structure and length.
Sweet raspberry like fruit on the front palate. The wine flows across the palate beautifully with fine tannins, good acid and flavour balance, great structure and length.
Both older bush vine grenache and carinena as well as younger trellised syrah and cabernet are included in this blend. The older vines are all dry grown while the younger vines have access to irrigation which until recently was banned in Spain. Each individual vineyard and in some cases, varieties within the vineyards, were vinified seperately and matured in seperate parcels before being carefully selected for the final blend. Individual barrel selection was also used to bring complexity, balance and structure to the wine.
Sweet raspberry like fruit on the front palate. The wine flows across the palate beautifully with fine tannins, good acid and flavour balance, great structure and length.
Grilled meat or vegetables.
Heathcote’s leading women in wine have once again joined forces to release their 4th edition of the highly regarded, 12 days of Christmas Wine Calendar. As with the traditional advent calendars which were so well loved by children, this wine lover’s version features 12 elegant half-bottles of premium Heathcote wines hidden behind 12 secret doors.
What's in the box
A collection of 12 x 375ml bottles of wines from five different wineries.
This unique boxed wine gift honours heritage, emerging varietals and many of the Heathcote Flaship favourites.
A mix of varietals include Rosé, White wines, Mediterranian varieties and traditional reds.
Tasting notes for each wine will be revealed in a special top-secret envelope included in the box.
High-quality wines in each pack, including:
Two wineries that have been awarded 5 red stars from Halliday Wine Companion
Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winning
Whether you’re purchasing for yourself, to share with family and friends or gifting to a wine lover, this special collection is sure to please!
The women - a mix of winemakers, viticulturists, business managers & marketers - have carefully selected a variety of highly regarded wines from their current release and winery cellars so that the calendar includes a mix of white wines, rosés, Mediterranean varietals and traditional reds. To reveal anything more would spoil the surprise!
The Heathcote Women in Wine 12 Days of Christmas Wine Calendar utilises the rarer seen half-bottle size (375mls) which is perfect to share between two at home. It also makes for a unique and thoughtful gift for a wine loving friend who might prefer to savour it for themselves.
Recipients are invited to celebrate in the true spirit of the official ‘12 days of Christmas’ by opening each door to reveal a surprise wine from the 25th of December until the 6th of January. Alternatively, if you can’t wait, you can always countdown the days leading up to Christmas starting from the 14th.
“We are so proud to be part of something special that not only highlights the power of collaboration but also highlights women in our industry as well as our beautiful region. This makes our advent calendar the first of its kind!” - Jodi Marsh of Sanguine Estate.
This unique offering comes with a compelling pedigree. The pack includes wines that honour heritage, emerging varietals and many of the Heathcote flagship favourites.
1x Tar & Roses Shiraz
1x Tar & Roses Sangiovese
1x Tar & Roses Tempranillo
1 x Tar & Roses Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
1x Tar & Roses 'The Fog' Nebbiolo
1x Tar & Roses 'The Rose' Shiraz
LIFTED MULBERRY CHARACTERS WITH DUSTY EARTH AND SPICE WITH FINE TANNINS, CRUNCHY ACIDITY AND A HINT OF SPICE.
CLASSIC CENTRAL VICTORIAN SHIRAZ BLEND, REPLETE WITH SWEET BLACK CHERRY, BLOOD PLUM AND LIQUORICE CHARACTERS.
AN OPULENT WINE WITH RASPBERRIES, POMEGRANATES AND SPICE NOTES ON A BED OF POWDERY TANNINS, AND A TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE ON THE FINISH.
WET BITUMEN MELDS WITH FLORAL NOTES, DAMP EARTH AND HINTS OF LEATHER AND CRANBERRY. FINE SUBSTANTIAL TANNIN ON THE PALATE, DRIED PETALS PLUS EARTHY TAR, ELEGANT AND LONG.
RICH, RIPE DARK CHERRIES, BLOOD PLUMS AND MULBERRIES. AN ELEGANTLY CRAFTED PALATE WITH FINE TANNINS AND A LONG FINISH.
Burgundy red (and a tinge of brick). Sour raspberry & cherry aromas with hints of ripe beetroot, clove spice & cola.
vibrant cranberry & crunchy pomegranate give way to silky tannins on the palate with hints of sour cherry and rosemary herb characters.
2x Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio
1x Tar & Roses Prosecco NV
1x Tar & Roses Lewis Riesling
1x Tar & Roses Rosé Mediterraneo
1 x Tar & Roses Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay
A SPRITZY YET SOFT PALATE OF LIGHT GREEN APPLE AND CITRUS MOUSSE, REFRESHING WITH A CRISP ACID FINISH.
A DELICIOUS MOUTH FILLING BURST OF MANY FLAVOURS REMINISCENT OF APPLE PIE AND BICKFORDS LIME CORDIAL WITH A TOUCH OF CLOVES.
A LUSCIOUS TEXTURAL WINE WITH MOUTH FILLING JUICY PEAR AND HONEYDEW MELON CHARACTERS, WELL BALANCED, CRUNCHY ACIDITY.
FRESH AND LIVELY WITH CITRUS NOTES THAT COMBINE BEAUTIFULLY WITH A MOUTH FILLING VISCOSITY. THE WINE FINISHES CRISP AND LONG.
Pale straw. Honeydew with hints of apple, key lime pie and spice. Juicy lime & white peach, with a textural mid palate through to focussed finish. Big flavours are restrained by balanced acid and a touch of oak.
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