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Our WineGeese journey in Australia began at the home of Irish Consul General, Mr. Patrick Scullion, our gracious host for the evening. Mr. Henry Dawson-Damer, of the Foster’s Group, talked to the group about Australian wines and led us through a wonderful tasting.

Monday found the group setting out for an exploration of Sydney, its fascinating history, its glorious beaches, and iconic architecture including the Opera House.

Mr. Charles Curran, Chairman and Governor of The Australian Ireland Fund arranged for an afternoon of sailing on his 60 ft. racing yacht, the “Sydney” to explore spectacular Sydney Harbour. He was also our host that evening at Guillaume at Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House, where Eva and John Curran were made honorary members of the WineGeese Society. Also inducted at this time were Connie and John Curran of New York. Henry Dawson-Damer once again guided us through the complexities of Australian wines that perfectly complemented the superb dinner.

Wednesday morning we departed for the Hunter Valley to enjoy the delights of this beautiful region of New South Wales. Our first stop at Tyrrell’s Wines was made all the more memorable by the tour, tasting, and lunch provided by Bruce Tyrrell, newly inducted honorary WineGeese member, who shared his great knowledge of wines.

From here we left for the showpiece of the Hunter, the Gardens at Tallawanta Lodge. Will Creedon invited the WineGeese and their chairmen, Ken Gorman and John Sharkey to plant a tree at the Gardens, a beautiful Wollemi Pine, considered one of the world’s rarest tree species. Will Creedon, our host for that evening’s spectacular dinner at Lisa McGuigan’s famed Tempus Two Winery, brought together for our enjoyment many of the illustrious wine families of the Hunter.

Our first wine stop on Thursday was a tour and tasting at Oakvale winery, owned by old friends of our fellow WineGeese, Sally and Dick Phelps. The group discovered the delights of Verdelho and sticky wines. Next we met Fay and Brian McGuigan at their lovely home where Brian took us through the fascinating story of McGuigan Wines. And Again a superb lunch guided our wine experience.

Our evening was spent at the great McWilliams Mount Pleasant Estate with an extraordinary tasting and dinner where we were joined by winemaker Scott McWilliam and Australian chef and wine writer, Peter Howard, for a Taste of Australia. Scott provided fascinating information on the wines of Mt Pleasant the history of the McWilliam family in winemaking. We were delighted to induct him into the Society.

Early Friday morning we left the lovely Tallawanta Lodge for Sydney Airport where we set out for Western Australia and our next vinous stop, the Margaret River. Once we arrived at Perth airport, our journey south was shortened by our private charter flight to Margaret River, finally bringing us to our home for the next six days, the enchanting Cape Lodge.

Saturday saw the group set out once again into the vines, literally. Our first stop of the day was the great Cullen Estate, where winemaker Christian Fraser led us on a fascinating tour of the winery followed by a tasting and superb lunch. We drove to the ocean for some sea air and a gentle stroll along the seashore.

We set out that evening for Fermoy Estate where winemaker Michael Kelly took us through the vines describing the methods and practice at Fermoy. Our superb meal on their pavilion overlooking their lake was one of the most delightful of our journey. Allison and Michael Kelly were inducted into the Society on a memorable evening.

Sunday morning was spent at leisure and our tasting began that afternoon at the boutique winery, The Growers, where once again, ‘sticky wines’ found their way into the story.

Our evening was spent at Xanadu Estate where winemaker, Glenn Goodall took us on a tour and tasting of this classic winery. Dr. John Lagan, founder and honorary WineGeese member, joined us for the tasting and dinner and delighted us with his stories.

Monday found us taking a break from our wine journey with a stop at the sheep shearing shed where we were amazed by the Kelpie dog and his unique method of herding sheep by walking on their backs.

Our evening was spent in the delightful company of the Martin family, owners of Clairault Estate. Our vineyard tour led by Brian Martin was followed by a tasting and once again, a superb dinner. We were delighted to induct Mrs. Ena Martin and Mr. Brian Martin into the Society.

Our final day in the Margaret River was spent in the company of the great Leeuwin Estate. Tricia and Denis Horgan, our wonderful hosts and newly inducted WineGeese, took us through the fascinating story of Leeuwin. Their winemakers led us through a fascinating tasting after which we adjourned for the Horgan home for a superb dinner on our last evening in the enchanting Margaret River.

Once again, the next morning our band of WineGeese departed early for their various destinations, but joined together in wonderful memories of a truly unique wine experience.

Photos

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1A: John Sharkey, Teresa Keating, Briege Tuite, and Irish Consul General Mr. Patrick Scullion at his home
1B: Lex Gamble, Ted Murphy, and Henry Dawson-Damer
1C: Garry Murphy and Helen Sharkey
1D: Diane Gamble and June Bennett
1E: Ken Gorman takes the helm of the Sydney
1F: John Curran takes over
1G: The next group awaits at the dock for the Sydney
1H: Archie Bennett and Kingsley Aikins set out on the Sydney
1I: The group at Bennelong with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind them
1J: Charles Curran, our host for the evening
1K: Connie and John Curran
1L: Pepper and Michael Jackson
1M: Ted Murphy inducts Bruce Tyrrell with the assistance of John Sharkey and Ken Gorman
1N: Sean O’Brien puts Ken and John to work at the Hunter Valley Gardens
1O: Helen Sharkey, Garry Murphy, and Kerry Chaffers at Tempus Two
1P: Dick and Sally Phelps at Oakvale
1Q: Brian McGuigan, John Sharkey, Ted Murphy, Fay McGuigan, Ken Gorman
1R: Michael and Pepper at the McGuigan home
1S: Kerry Chaffers, Kingsley Aikins, Diane Gamble, and Ken Gorman
1T: Ted Murphy, Fay and Brian McGuigan
1U: John Sharkey, Ted Murphy, Scott McWilliam, and Ken Gorman at the induction
1V: Will Creedon, Kingsley Aikins, Sally Phelps at Mt Pleasant
1W: Archie and Diane
1X: Scott McWilliam and Ted Murphy
1Y: On our way to Margaret River
1Z: Christian Fraser, Cullen winemaker guides the tour
2A: Lex and Dick enjoy the Indian Ocean
2B: Michael Kelly of Fermoy leads the group through the vineyards
2C: Archie and June with Michael strolling past the vines
2D: Approaching the lake and pavilion
2E: Michael Kelly leads the group through the tasting
2F: Ken and John aid in the induction of Allison and Michael Kelly into the Society
2G: Ted Murphy and Archie Bennett
2H: Ken Gorman and John Curran
2I: June Bennett, Sally Phelps, Dr John Lagan, Pepper Jackson, and Garry Murphy
2J: Dick Phelps, Ken Gorman, John Lagan, John Sharkey, Ted Murphy
2K: wait for it, wait for it . . .
2L: Duck, Sally, duck!
2M: The group watch in wonder
2N: as the amazing Kelpie dog herds from the backs of the sheep
2O: Lex and John get new jobs too!
2P: Soon everyone is working while the paparazzi look on
2Q: Garry and Lex and Diane at Vasse Felix
2R: Brian Martin of Clairault takes us on a vineyard tour
2S: John and Connie Curran arrive at Leeuwin Estate
2T: June and Archie Bennett, Helen and John Sharkey, Ted and Garry Murphy with Denis Horgan
2U: Garry and Ted Murphy with Tricia and Denis Horgan
2V: very happy WineGeese prepare to depart after a glorious evening with the Horgans