Blogpost: In Vino Veritas – Moorilla and Domaine A

Posted by T • October 24, 2019

Posted by T • October 24, 2019

In Vino Veritas – Moorilla and Domaine A

 

Claiming that I harbour a weak spot in my left chest for anything related to Tasmania would be an understatement par excellence.

At least twice a year I carve my way to Hobart for their annual winter festival Dark Mofo, which we have covered extensively throughout the years, as well as new exhibitions and the indulge in what the island has to offer.

MONA comes with many things outside the confines of art and Moorilla Estate complements their offerings on the vino front.  Being the second winery to be established in Tasmania in the twentieth century, the estate is not only iconic because of its affiliation with MONA but also because of the fact that it is situated next to the actual site of MONA in a manner that leads into the Derwent River.

The vineyard has established its name as one that consistently produces quality textural drops with its head honcho Conor van der Reest having set the ship on course for a route that is paved with (inter-)national accolades.

Needless to say that MONA’s aesthetic DNA is tangibly present in every fact of the label designs, the bottles, down to corkage, which are not merely superficial features but ones that significantly accentuate and enhance the indulgence.

One of the favourites from Moorilla is their shiraz, or “Syrah” with a complexity that covers the spectrum from peppery smokiness via meaty berry-heavy fruitiness to tannins that are calibrated at just the right level of textured chalkiness. If you like reds and breadth of flavour, chances are that you will fall in love after a dance with Miss Syrah.

The other stalwart drop is their sparkling rose?. Now, the fact that rose? is normally not exactly my chalice of wine should give an indication of how good this one must be if it materializes amongst my faves. I love the acidity, which embeds its Pino Noir-esque fruitiness and recommend it as an aperitif to transition proceedings eventually to richer drops.

Should you have the privilege of visiting MONA, you should try the wines alongside a meal at MONA’s hatted flagship restaurant The Source, a place that has become infamous for many a debaucherous party and that is fronted by the Moorilla Wine Bar, which offers seasonal treats, share plates, and house-made breads and pastries with Moorilla and Domaine A wines.

Established in 1973, Domaine A is the winery MONA recently acquired and a perfect match for Moorilla as its wines grow on ancient soil and revel in a temperate cool climate, which is then embedded by the best practises and best features of old and new world styles and approaches to wine making.

Case in point:

Lady A 2016, a grande old dame whose golden hues are complemented with a bouquet of citrussy and vanilla aromas, which tickle the nostrils with an array of woody and oaky nuances. What materializes on the palate is creamy and continues down the lemony route before culminating with a lingering finish that adds nutty and chocolatey flavours to the mix.

A drop that is subtle yet leaves one smacking one’s lips – be it an accompaniment to fish or on its own.

---

photo from company website

T • October 24, 2019

More recent blogposts

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday and Foxing

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 27, 2025

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Foxing Budweiser Stage Toronto, Canada August 24, 2025 What a treat catching two great bands Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria co-headlining on their 2025 North American tour. Special guest Foxing, from St. Louis, Missouri, opened the night with a 30 minute set, weaving delicate melodies into explosive waves of emotion that filled … Read more

Chevelle – Bright as Blasphemy tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 23, 2025

Chevelle @ Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Canada August 20, 2025 That feeling, when you’re having the best experience ever, and you don’t want it to end! Chevelle delivered a powerful headlining performance marking a high-energy stop on their 38-date North American Bright as Blasphemy tour, with supporting acts Dead Poet Society and Asking Alexandria setting the stage. A wall … Read more

Less Than Jake Summer Circus @ RMA 8/1/25

Posted by Aaron H • August 6, 2025

Less Than Jake - Credit: AMH The circus is in town. Less Than Jake are currently on their Summer Circus Tour promoting their latest EP, Uncharted. They've brought along ska and punk legends Fishbone and The Suicide Machines and ska newcomers, Catbite. Together, they've melded a perfect mish-mash of bands suitable for all ages. Riverside was in for a good … Read more

The Hives @ Enmore Theatre

Posted by T • July 26, 2025

The Hives Enmore Theatre Sydney, Australia July 23, 2025 Let’s be clear: The Hives didn’t play a show. They detonated one. On a cool Sydney night at the Enmore Theatre, the Swedish kings of garage rock stormed the stage like tuxedoed insurgents, staging a velvet-clad coup d’état against anything remotely resembling restraint. It wasn’t a concert. It was controlled chaos … Read more

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 22, 2025

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival Peterborough, Ontario, Canada July 19, 2025 Gob nailed their set, energizing both die‑hard and casual fans alike. The band’s punchy hooks and raw performance had the crowd bouncing throughout the 90‑minute set, delivering both nostalgia and vitality. A perfect addition to a summer night in Peterborough! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Murder City Devils/Animal Self @ GHCH 7/12/25

Posted by Aaron H • July 17, 2025

Murder City Devils - Credit: AMH The Murder City Devils don't get out much anymore, so when the opportunity presented itself, I made my way down to Pomona to catch one of the 2 shows they had lined up in California. They brought along Animal Self, which features Kareem Karam and Coady Willis from Murder City Devils as well as … Read more

Daryl Gussin - A Year In Submission

Posted by Jiffy Marx • July 16, 2025

Can't say my review of it will be as well written or entertaining as this book of 50 poems by Daryl Gussin. Daryl is the managing editor of Razorcake. Daryl was in an awesome punk band called God Equals Genocide. Daryl is my friend but also possibly my spirit animal. Part of me wonders if the leather jacket that Daryl … Read more

Tripping Daisy North American Tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 13, 2025

Tripping Daisy @ Lee's Palace Toronto, Canada July 11, 2025 Tripping Daisy brought us back to 1995 and sounded better than ever! When the crowd sings along 30 years later there’s no better feeling! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Death from Above 1979

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 6, 2025

Death from Above 1979 @ SummerStage New York, USA July 2, 2025 Death from Above 1979 tore through SummerStage with pure, unfiltered energy. The Toronto duo delivered a thunderous set packed with fuzzed-out bass, pounding drums, and raw vocals that had the crowd thrashing from the first note. From classics like “Romantic Rights” to newer bangers, the band was tight, … Read more

Sum 41 @ Scotiabank Arena

Posted by Mirela Z. • June 19, 2025

Sum 41 final shows - day 1 of 2 Scotiabank Arena Toronto Canada Jan. 28, 2025 All photos by @front.row.fans   Read more