Description
Samantha Connew, who hails from the South Island of New Zealand, is a name that has been gaining increasing attention for all the right reasons in the Australian wine industry. Previously the Senior Winemaker at Wirra Wirra (McLaren Vale, South Australia) for a decade and having worked for the Australian Wine Research Institute as well as in Spain, Italy, Oregon, Sam’s experience truly traverses the world of wine. Stargazer, named in honour of Abel Tasman as the first European to sight Tasmania and then the South Island of New Zealand in 1642, was born in 2012 after Sam fell in love with the quality of fruit and potential that Tasmania offers.
Rada is a blend of Pinot Meunier from Pipers Brook with the Pinot Noir coming from the Coal River Valley of Tasmania. It draws its name from former socialite Rada Penfold of the eponymous iconic Australian winery Penfolds, who asked Max Schubert, the man behind Penfolds Grange, to create a new blend for a special event she was throwing. While that wasn’t a Pinot Noir/Meunier blend, its unusual blend parallels Sam’s approach of blending Pinot Noir and Meunier together for Rada. The two varieties work harmoniously together, with the sweet fruited red berry notes of the Pinot Noir juxtaposing a touch of savouriness from the Meunier. It ferments naturally and only sees old and larger oak barrels to retain the purity of fruit expression. Sam continues to drive the world of wine forward as a member of both Wine Tasmania, along with being on the advisory board of the Australian Women in Wine Awards.
