Kangaroo Island’s first winery – now in Penneshaw’s CBD

Most travel guides still cite the cellar door of Dudley wines to be out far East on Kangaroo Island, about 20km away from Penneshaw. But when you drive through this village where the ferries from Australia’s mainland reach the Islands shore, you cannot miss the big sign stating: ‘Dudley’s cellar door, now in Penneshaw.’ Right in its CBD if you like, just opposite the pub.

Well to tell you the truth, we are talking more about a cross of cafe, wine tasting counter and clothing shop than a real cellar door. The ones of us who aim to taste the wines in a romantic atmosphere close to the vines themselves will be disappointed. I am usually suspicious, when staff in a self-proclaimed cellar door starts the conversation with ‘would you like coffee or are you here for the wines?’, but hey, I am on my way to try out the wines from Kangaroo Island’s first and oldest winery.

Dudley Wines from Kangaroo Island

Dudley Wines from Kangaroo Island

The wine portfolio consists of nine individual wines, presented in two ranges – the Island Range, which is priced at an entry level to suit locals and the many tourists coming to the Island and the premium Vineyard Series. On top of that Dudley now also has two limited releases available.

On this particular hot summer’s day I tried the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, the 2007 Island Chardonnay and Dudley’s 2005 Porky Flat Shiraz – my impression: very average wines, aimed at the summer tourism market and all of them lacking character. I couldn’t help and ask a few questions about soil and wine production itself, however the staff wasn’t really able to help me out on this.

Coffee, wine or clothes, all in one shop

Coffee, wine or clothes, all in one shop

Kangaroo Island deserves better than this, so my recommendation is to avoid this ‘fancy’ set-up in Penneshaw’s CBD and try out the smaller local wineries while being on this wonderful Island.
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Mein Besuch bei Dudley Wines auf Kangaroo Island war leider eine ziemliche Katastrophe. Weit entfernt von romantischen Weinhuegeln, ist die sog. cellar door vor wenigen Wochen nach Penneshaw gezogen und hier steht eine Theke, plaziert zwischen einem Cafe und einer Modeboutique ausgestattet mit modischem Schick der 80er Jahre.

Die Dudley Weine selbst sind in zwei preisliche Segmente eingeordnet, zusaetzlich gibt es zwei limited releases. Saemtliche von mir probierten Weine waren eher durchschnittlich, leider konnte mir die dortigen Bedienung auch wenig ueber die Winery oder gar die Besonderheiten der Dudley Weine berichten.

Meine Empfehlung: der fish & chips shop in Penneshaw ist eine Reise wert, dort gibt es zwar keinen Alkohol, aber dafuer fantastischen Fisch, geoeffnet zwischen 16 und 20 Uhr.

Ihr Michael Brecht

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