On my recent travels through Napa Valley, California, I enjoyed two stops, in particular, which showcased the great advances in wine technology from making to retailing.

I will share more of these findings over time but for now here are some images from these two concerns.

Opus One is known to people around the world and here I am pictured among their highly prized wine.

A visit to Darioush Winery was also an eye-opener for the serious yet contemporary point-of-sale/tastings efforts. It certainly is a far cry from many of the cellar doors we have over here in Australia.

Since being invited to take part in prestigious, Robert Parker in Asia wine event in Singapore in May 2010, I have now been asked to conduct the Masterclass for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Concurs of Cabernet will feature some of the greatest wine producers in the world, and now Highbank will be featured at the event.

This is such a great honour for our small operation down here in the rich, red, Terra Rosa soil of Coonawarra in South Australia.

The event also features a Grand Tasting on the 1st and 2nd of May with only 100 exclusive wineries (Highbank has been invited) from around the world being invited to represent their distinctive Terroirs. 

Highbank Wines has been invited to take part in a prestigious wine event in Singapore in May 2010 and I am particularly looking forward to conducting personal tastings at the "special venue" being made available to each of the selected wineries.

The event is the "Ultimate Parker in Asia" event, which of course is a direct reference to internationally respected wine critic, Robert Parker. It is being sponsored by Hermitage, a fine wine distributorship in Singapore, and is being held at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. 

The Grand Tasting will be held on the 1st and 2nd of May with only 100 exclusive wineries (Highbank has been invited) from around the world being invited to represent their distinctive Terroirs. 

To me, this is a welcome acknowledgement of our particular winemaking techniques and unyielding focus on accentuating the terroir of our patch of succulent, red, Terra Rosa soil in the Coonawarra.

Review of accommodation at Honeysuckle Rise, one of our cottages, from Trip Advisor, 30 January 2010

Discover the joys of the Coonawarra whilst staying in the middle of a working vineyard. Coonawarra is one of Australia’s oldest wine growing regions. An isolated 15 kilometres strip of extra ordinary terra rossa (rich red loam over limestone) that produces sublime wines.

Honeysuckle Rise Cottage is situated in the centre of Highbank vineyard. Host and winemaker Dennis Vice has created luxury self catering accommodation for wine lovers. This stone cottage is sited next to two massive red gums (estimated to be over 300 years old).

There are many places where guests can relax - the beautiful garden; the sheltered outdoor entertainment areas; inside with the high cathedral ceiling with exposed beams; the lounge area with a huge stone open fireplace; the mezzanine sleeping area (there is also provision for sleeping downstairs if you can’t cope with stairs); and the shower and spa that look onto a private courtyard garden. There are spectacular views of the vineyard from all windows but the view from the French doors in the lounge area is especially captivating – the doors and overhead arch frame the two magnificent red gums against the backdrop of the vineyard.

Excerpts from Max Allen, Food and Wine, Weekend Australian, October 24-25, 2009

I really must stop asking for feedback from readers: it seems too many of you are using it as an excuse to indulge in one or two too many glasses of vino. And we can't have that now, can we?

A couple of months ago I asked for suggestions for your Dream Team of Australian wine after putting forward my own list

Sumptious Magazine, October 2009

Two private retreats offer seclusion amongst the vines.

Honeysuckle Rise comprises two beautifully appointed self-contained facilities, which offer privacy and location in the heart of the Coonawarra wine region, and a touch of Tuscany on the Limestone Coast.

The accommodation is located within the vineyards of Highbank vineyards and affords guests the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of their naturally beautiful biodynamic vineyards.

There is a choice of two romantic guest retreats; the spacious 'Cottage' where privacy is emphasised with its own vineyard setting, or the 'Villa' with its spacious upstairs apartment and picturesque views of the vines from every room.

Built by owners Dennis and Bonnie Vice from limestone recovered from their vineyards,

Sumptious Magazine, October 2009

Naturally produced wines with outstanding drinkability!

Highbank's vines are grown without the use of chemical herbicides or insecticides, and have been farmed according to biodynamic principles for over 25 years.

The family vineyards are located only on the the highest banks of terra rossa soil, overlaying the cigar shaped limestone ridge of the renowned Coonawarra wine region.

Owners Dennis and Bonnie Vice believe, as custodians of the land, that it is their responsibility to

Excerpts from The Australian Wine Guide, 4th Edition, Late 2008

Highbank Wines rated as "outstanding". In his review, Clive says, "On the boutique winery front, American Dennis Vice at Highbank makes an organic Cabernet blend that has Bordeaux-like structure and elegance, a wine definitely worth hunting down."

The 4th edition was published in late 2008. The 272 page, full colour guide has been completely revised and features an extensive list of recommended wines and producers by grape variety and region; essential for your next visit to a wine region or bottle shop.

"In the course of my working life I taste and score thousands of wines and this knowledge allows me to confidently recommend wines to you. I’d encourage you to go out and visit our glorious wine regions and use the guide as a way of focusing your visit to maximize your time. Don’t miss these wineries on your next visit!" Clive Hartley

You can visit The Australian Wine Guide companion website here.

The August 2008 edition of Australian Gourmet Traveller says the 2004 Highbank is "one for the cellar". It notes the elegance and complexity of this cabernet blend and recommends matching it with slow cooked lamb. With the cold winters and cool summers we have down here in the Coonawarra, we heartily agree!

While the 2004 is drinking well already, Gourmet Traveller is right to point out that "it still has plenty to reveal as it ages over the next decade".

The 2004 Highbank has rubbed shoulders with the who's who of the wine world at the 19 International Tasting at La Vigna, Perth.

Judges placed this Highbank Cabernet blend that retails for $55, between two giants that cost three to four times as much. It was 0.02 points above Ornellaia from Italy which sells for $225 and only 0.01 point below Penfolds RWT Shiraz which sells for $165. Interestingly, Penfolds' Cabernet equivalent to Grange, the Bin 707, sat less than 0.4 points away.

The judges said Highbank Wines conjur a French profile with the 2004 evoking a "left bank" Bordeaux. As you can see in the full review, below, they noted "aromas of rich dark fruit, smoke, earth, pepper, and dark chocolate ... on the palate, intense concentrated ‘black fruit’ flavours with firm fine-grained tannins and crisp acid".