December 15, 2014 Another Big Breakfast, Penfolds and Saltram Wineries

Well I did it again, made it out to my favorite breakfast place for the big breakfast.  This time I laid off the wine and had two lattes.  Today I'm going out to two of the larger wineries.  The Saltram Winery is actually the one where I'm staying.  The pictures of the vines in my pictures around my cottage are Saltram.  This winery has been in the valley for over 150 years.  It was started by a gentleman that came over from England, and wasn't a prisoner, William Salter. Saltram Wines are reputed to be the first in the valley to produce a shiraz.
Next, Penfolds, which is probably one of the better known wineries in the world.  When speaking of shiraz in most wordily circles, Penfolds is usually mentioned as the best.  While visiting and tasting today, it was interesting to se the vast history of this winery to include Penfolds being selected as the Australian Winery of the Year in 2014. The winery started in 1844 bean English doctor Christopher Penfold.  He actually bought vines from France to start his vineyard.  But it was his wife Mary, that actually created the original shiraz from here.  Another interesting fact, in June 2012 Penfolds released a limited edition run of the "2004 Block 42" wine that was only sold in glass ampoules. The wine was labelled by the Huffington Post publication as "the most expensive wine directly sold from a winery in the world", as the winery sought US$168,000 for each of the ampoules. The glass ampoules were designed and hand-blown by Australian glass artist Nick Mount.  I passed on buying one of these, but there was a display showing this expensive wine.  
I finished my day having a pizza of all things at the 40's Diner but the Hawaiian thin crust was pretty tasty. 

Lobby of Penfolds Winery

Penfolds Tasting Area

Barrels used at Penfolds

Big Breakfast

Gnarly vine wrapped around pole.

Penfolds Winery