One of the Whitsundays’ newest experiences is the Whitsunday Green golf course, just a short ten-minute drive from Airlie Beach. This gloriously pretty nine-hole, par-three course and driving range has a lot going for it, including exclusive wine tastings from Lisa McGuigan Wines.
Perfectly manicured greens are foreground to a jaw-dropping backdrop of the Conway Range tropical rainforest. Their course is an ideal spot for golf pros (on holidays) to spend a little time brushing up on perfecting their putting; or for families to get together to enjoy a relaxed round of golf without the driving distances and endurance challenges of an extensive course.
Best of all, after completing a rewarding nine holes, the clubhouse surprises with its food and wine tasting experiences that are of true gourmet quality. This is primarily due to its exclusive Queensland tastings offering of premium Lisa McGuigan Wines from the Hunter Valley. The experience includes tastings of six wines paired with either a cheese or mez board platter; a complimentary glass of your favourite wine is also included. On the day of our tasting, we opted for the mez platter, including a mild sopressa, salami and prosciutto, a softly-spiced avocado dip, semi-dried tomatoes, charred capsicum, caper berries, cheeses, kalamata olives dukkah, fresh sourdough bread and new season olive oil for dipping.
We found the range of Lisa McGuigan’s wines outstanding due to the care and creative winemaking, lifted aromatics and clever varietal blending choices made with some of the wines. Additionally, the wines showcase diversity in selected fruit that Lisa sources from different regions throughout Australia and New Zealand. The following is a rundown on the selection of wines we tasted, from lighter to heavier style.
2017 Stella Luna White (Blend)
This aromatic and well-balanced blend of Semillon, Gruner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc is the house wine at Whitsunday Green. A classy dry white offering a balance of citrus and melon with a crisp finish.
Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
This wine is a decidedly tropical affair with mango, pineapple and grapefruit zest fragrances that layers its fresh and vibrant palate. It’s well suited to the Whitsunday Green’s surroundings. Made with New Zealand fruit, it a class act that – with just a flavour hint of almonds – pairs well with the triple smoked cheddar, double brie and selection of condiments on our platter.
2019 Pinot Gris (Hilltops, NSW)
This is a leaner, cleaner style Pinot Gris that works perfectly in the warmer, humid climate. The wine is fine and elegant with detailed layerings of pear, passionfruit and citrus commanding attention.
2019 Claudius Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)
The 2019 Claudius Chardonnay continues the refreshing citrus style. Lemon and melon flavours fill the palate, giving way to a nutty hemp seed broader but still clean finish.
2019 Moscato (South Australian Blend)
We felt the surprise standout wine of the tasting was the salmon/rose-coloured sparkling Moscato. Explorative and enjoyable, we loved its Wizz Fizz-like, playful upfront flavours that broadens to a Turkish delight fullness of flavour. This Moscato is perfectly balanced with enough acid freshness to cleanse the palate for those that may shy away from sweeter wines. A delightful blend of Muscat and Frontignac.
2017 Stella Luna Red (Blend)
Presenting with pleasing cherry/chocolate aromas and a lighter to mid-palate weight, this is a clean and classy and modern dry red with a depth of flavour due to gentle spice and soft tannins.
2019 Pinot Noir (McLaren Vale)
Made from McLaren Vale fruit, the 2019 Pinot Noir is a quality offering featuring partly spice-driven flavours coupled with classic Pinot Noir cherry notes. Touches of mushroom and forest floor aromatics add lovely complexity. As the wine has been matured for 12 months in old French oak, flavour hints of earth, smoky spice and blackberry are also present.
Whitsunday Green
1 Regatta Boulevard, Cannon Valley (Whitsundays), Queensland
Tel 07 4946 1190
whitsundaygreen.com.au
Lisa McGuigan Wines
2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW
Tel 02 4998 7854
lisamcguiganwines.com
Comments are closed.