COVID be damned - as social restrictions continue to ease there’s a bunch of ways to support your favourite band of inner suburban booze producers, both online and in person, and get a quality tipple at the same time.
May 20, 2020
Partnership
You can still get your Eastside Wine & Ale Trail fix
While news came from the Premier this week that a pathway back to full trade is being forged for restaurants, cafés and pubs, there’s one boozy pastime still scuttled by the dreaded coronavirus: that annual autumnal wine tasting tour through one of South Australia’s far-reaching regions.
Wineries are still only open for takeaway bottle sales and tastings remain forbidden, and until they’re lifted the romance of the 40-or-so-minute drive out of metro Adelaide is somewhat subdued.
But there is still a way to drink well and deal directly with local producers, without burning though half a tank of petrol. The Eastside Wine and Ale Trail offers considerate drinkers a dual convenience: a cohort of beer and wine makers all clustered together, and all barely 10 minutes out of the CBD.
With each business taking the response to COVID-19 in their stride, these inner-suburban producers are all ready and willing to help you bring something special to your next properly socially distanced dinner party.
Plan your next visit with CityMag’s handy guide to the Norwood Payneham & St Peters’ Eastside Wine and Ale Trail.
Above: Denise Tranter (left) owner of CW Wines
CW Wines
4 Nelson Street, Stepney 5069
CW Wines was quick to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, implementing a number of hygiene and social distancing measures, both at their Stepney cellar door, and their winery in the Coonawarra. Thankfully, they were able to complete their 2020 vintage – despite the disruption.
The CW cellar door is open for takeaway wine purchases form Monday to Friday 9am ‘til 5pm, and they offer free same-day delivery within the Adelaide metro area for any orders placed before 11am. And if it’s your first order with the company, they’ll also offer a 20 per cent discount.
L-R: Ferg’s founders Jordan Hein and Bevan Ferguson
Ferg’s
8a Union Street, Stepney 5069
While the suburban cellar door with a small-bar vibe initially opted to close its doors until coronavirus restrictions were lifted, the team has rolled up its door on the odd occasion since for its series of Small Producer Sales.
Ferg’s will host another Small Producer Sale in the future, so stay tuned to its Facebook and Instagram pages for updates. The two founding wine brands, Moorak and Massey, are also available to purchase online. Hit the hyperlinks to browse the selections.
Heartland Wines
24 Beulah Road, Norwood 5067
The team at Heartland have seen keen interest in their delicious wines since the public was urged to shelter indoors en masse, and so they’ve expanded their hours to welcome the public from 9am ‘til 5pm Monday to Friday. Before the crisis, they were only open for visits on Friday afternoons.
Heartland Wines’ Susie Bishop says she’s sad to not be able to offer tastings for the time being, but looks forward to the day when she can share the winery’s wares with people, glass in hand.
Brooke and Adam Lampit
Lambrook Wines
Warehouse 4, 2-20 Magill Road, Norwood 5067
With the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions, Lambrook immediately lost all of its on-premise customers – bars, restaurants and the like. These restrictions are only beginning to ease from this week.
In response, Lambrook pivoted towards online communications, and the good old reliable community-based practice of letterbox drops. The winery offers online ordering and contactless delivery, to make the process as easy and safe as possible for fans of the Lambrook range.
Lambrook is also currently offering its Aloft range of Adelaide Hills wines for $150 a dozen, with free delivery. And for anyone who purchases from the Lambrook Premium Plant range, the winery will throw in a magnum of Amelia Reserve Shiraz, valued at $100, for absolutely free. They’re a generous folk.
Chef John McFarlane flanked by Little Bang co-founders Ryan Davidson and Filip Kemp
Little Bang Brewing Company
25 Henry Street, Stepney 5069
As one of the Adelaide beer-drinking community’s favourite brewpubs, it was a difficult day for punters and Little Band alike when they lost the ability to trade at their taproom. For all the potential of the enormous site, it became essentially a bottle shop and takeaway kitchen.
The brewery worked hard to adjust to the New World Order, and introduced a new online ordering system for both beer and food, as well as a delivery service. A new website is also in the works.
Little Bang Brewing is open for alcohol sales from Monday to Saturday, and can offer local deliveries of both beer and food from Wednesday to Saturday evenings. For more information and to browse the ever-changing beer offering, visit the website.
Moorooroo Park Vineyards
31-33 North Terrace, Hackney 5069
The coronavirus shutdown came at a very inopportune time for Barossa winery Moorooroo Park Vineyards, who were on the cusp of launching their city cellar door in Hackney.
Alas, the plans have had to be put on hold, their Barossa cellar door has been closed, and the business has reoriented towards online sales.
But therein lies the silver lining: get Moorooroo wines delivered to your door at the click of a button. Visit the website and browse the range. If you join the mailing list, or follow the business on Facebook and Instagram, the team will keep you up to date with their rolling weekly specials.
Signature Wines
105 King William Street, Kent Town 5067
Like the rest of the world, Signature Wines looked into the COVID-19 future and saw only uncertainty. They immediately pivoted the business towards online sales, and have since worked to create a range of new wine packs, like the Happy Hour at Home Pack: six bottles of Signature wine and a ‘WINE TIME’ cap, currently available for $130.
The winery kept on the front foot, launching its own Signature Wines app (available now in the App Store), and partnering with beloved Torrensville restaurant Parwana to offer meals every Thursday night.
The Norwood cellar door is currently operating as a bottle shop from Tuesday through Friday from 9am ‘til 6pm and 11am ‘til 2pm on Saturday. Jump over to the website or check out the Signature Wines app to browse the range and place an online order.
Your first purchase via the app will come with a 30 per cent discount. Get in.
Vineyard Road
31 King Street, Norwood 5069
While IRL connections were canned following cellar door closures, Vineyard Road doubled down on its digital presence, keeping their fans and followers up to date with a “stronger and more frequent social media presence,” says group manager Irene Kamm.
The business also evolved its online sales strategy, allowing for customers to create mixed six packs of their choosing, as well as occasional speciality packs for notable occasions (it’s what your Mum was hoping for on Mother’s Day).
Vineyard Road also introduced a ‘click or call and collect’ payment system for customers, while retaining their operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am ’til 5pm.
For updates on special offers from the winery, Irene suggests keeping an eye on the Vineyard Road Facebook and Instagram pages.
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