Yarra Valley Wine Christmas

Its that time of year again when the man in the red suit comes along to those who are nice.

So I hope everyone has been good this year.

2010 has been a big year for the Yarra Valley with so much growth from many different mediums. The online presence of the Yarra Valley in general has grown exponentially with so many wineries and busineses gaining the idea that Social Media is now the way to go to help promote your business.

And with companies like Magilla Marketing taking the lead in this field, the Yarra Valley will become the next Napa Valley in no time.

 With sites such as These 2 are the most popular in Social media with Facebook becoming the leader on the internet in General. Google really is starting to worry that Facebook will take over as Number 1.

And with that said, Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with family, friends and those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

We should all realise what we have and be grateful for all the things we have, the friends we have and the family we have.

these are the things that make us the people we are.

We all hope that this Christmas is a safe and happy one. Please stay safe on the roads this holiday.

Enjoy life with plenty of good wine, great food and even better company.

And if your still feeling in the festive cheer after Christmas day, then we'll be open again from the 27th of Decemeber for light lunches, and with the weather looking good going into the new year, it will be a perfect time to sit and have some great wine looking at the fantastic views we have from our deck.

We thank everyone of our customers for their support this year, and the continued great work of all our staff.

thank you everyone and we look forward to seeing you all in 2011.

Warm regards

The Tokar Family

www.tokarestate.com.au

The Return of Chardonnay - Yarra Valley Wine

Firsthand reports from retailers and sommeliers have been suggesting that chardonnay is making a comeback, and the sauvignon blanc tsunami may be on the wane. Now there are figures from the statistical font of all knowledge, Nielsen, showing a return to growth of chardonnay sales in both the $14-$19 and $25-$35 per bottle categories. The greatest growth was in the $14-$19 bracket, with sales increasing 6% in the September quarter, compared to a 2% growth for sauvignon blanc. REF: Australian Wine Companion

So to that we say, bring it on.

My Secret Cellar is coming soon to a twitter and Facebook page near you.

As the name suggests its a secret. However, we will tell you that it is going to involve wine tasting, a new variety or theme each event. A celebrity, a guest chef, a wine maker, a wine grower and guests.

And yes the tastings will be done in a cellar.

If you think this sounds interesting to you, make sure you follow either of these people on Twitter to find out more

Magillamax on Twitter -

Tokar Estate on Twitter

Andrew Jackson on Twitter

Tokar Wine on Twitter

So stay tuned for more info as the first them is "The Return of Chardonnay"

 

Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Winery - Making Vincotto

Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Winery – The Making of The Vincotto

Time for something different we thought. So the idea was suggested by Leon Tokar that we make some Vincotto.

Good idea, seeing as though we had some left over grapes still yet to be picked from the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

We could have made Jam as well, but we thought we’d try this first.

So picking got underway

Ended up picking about 2 bins worth, which was probably more than what we had planned. Hmm Looks like this is going

To be an industrial venture.

Had to then try and get the old Dinosaur forklift working, mainly to move it out of the way, but also to actually move the bins.

We got it going, eventually..... then moved the bins and moved it outside before it died. Needs a new battery I think.

So once than was done, it was time to introduce the Old School Wine making.

Joe had brought along his old grape press..

So things got underway, with Colin and Joe working working working, drinking drinking drinking.... I think they found

Some chardonnay in the fridge, not sure how that got there......

So they worked away with Leon Tokar to get the grapes in the old press, pushing them down and pushing

The juices out, into buckets and then into the tank. Mean while I was driving around town trying to find

A burner big enough to go underneath to cook it and reduce it down.

Essentially Vincotto (literally "cooked wine") is a dark, sweet dense grape must produced artisanally in the Apulia region of south-eastern Italy. It is made by the slow cooking and reduction over many hours of grape must that can be made from a variety of types of local red wine grapes.

Vincotto has a sweet flavour, and is not a form of vinegar, though a sweet vinegar version can be produced using a vincotto as a base. This additional product is called a Vinegar of Vincotto, or Vincotto Vinegar, and can be used in exactly the same way as a good mellow Balsamic vinegar.

The I came in to finish to job off. J

Take the Glory.

Once we had it all pressed and juice into the tank, we waited for Leon to find the right gas fitting for the burner that I had just purchased.

Seeing as though the girl said a normally BBQ fitting will work, excellent, I have 2 of those.

Wrong........

So Off Leon went.

While he was out and we were waiting, Colin noticed something.

Colin, it says Do not disturb. Get away from it..... I am not responsible when Leon gets back.

COLIN.......... too late.

He seemed quite happy with himself and with glass in hand, why not take some J

So Leon came back, caught Colin red handed and proceeded to remove the bottle of Aria from him, with great difficulty.

I couldn’t take photo’s because I was trying to pry the bottle away from him........ the Wine is that good J

The Aria

We got the burner going and the cooking underway.

Then Lachlan wanted to help on the forklift.

Didn’t do much as... well he can’t drive yet, and there was no battery in it J

So the Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Vincotto production is happening as we speak.

We are not planning on making it a commercial product, but you never know. If it turns out to be as good as the wine we make, we might just do it.

Till next time, Drink Wine and be Happy

Warm Regards

The Tokar Family.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Tokar Estate Yarra Valley Boutique Winery - Chardonnay 2006

After discussing our flagship wine “The Aria”, the next wine to move onto is our 2006 Chardonnay.

 

With a colour of pale gold, tinted with lime, this rich Chardonnay has been barrel fermented in new French and American oak barriques. This single vineyard wine has a luscious fruit flavours of nectarine and grapefruit, combined with vanilla bean and nougat for a complex palate, with a crisp lime finish. With a well balanced palate weight and fine acid structure, this Chardonnay is the perfect accompaniment to fish and seafood dishes. Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years.

At $24.00 per bottle this is a reasonably priced wine which will be great for this summer, chilled and matched with some great seafood.

 

To find out more about this wine, come on down to our cellar door to speak with Leon Tokar or one of our friendly staff.

 

We also have our midweek restaurant specials on, contact us for more information on 03 5964 9585

 

Thank you

Warm Regards

The Tokar Family

 

Yarra Valley Wineries and anything Yarra Valley using Whatzon

Getting your name out into the crowd.

Sometimes this can be a long and arduous process, with trying to find the best website or newspaper

To advertise with, or magazine for Yarra Valley Wineries.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to go too far to find a website dedicated to the Yarra Valley region in Victoria and everything about it.

John Newell, the man behind the idea for Whatzon lives and breathes the Yarra Valley

Which makes him the perfect person to run and promote the Valley and this site.

Yarra Valley wineries are often promoted well in certain publications, however if you don’t have the

Large advertising budgets like some do, then it’s hard to compete.

Whatzon allows us to put out our information up to 3 times a day with things we are doing at a fraction of the cost

Of any other website.

It truly has become one of the easiest ways for us to promote our Yarra Valley Winery and Restaurant

Here is a little information about how Whatzon works –

whatzon in the Yarra Valley

whatzon! ads are updated LIVE by Yarra Valley businesses. Daily. Often several times each day

• Come to whatzon! for constantly updated events, offers, news, specials and more
• As each ad is posted it appears at the top of the website’s front page
• All ads are searchable and results are provided to you in date order, most recent always at the top
• You can narrow down what you are looking for by clicking on the Category links :

Find it in the Yarra Valley

[EAT] places that create, sell and serve food    restaurants, cafes, diners, takeaways…
[DRINK] where to have a drink   bars, cafes, nightclubs, wineries, pubs, breweries ….
[PLAY] participate in sports & recreation, including kid-friendly, music   gigs, concerts, golf, attractions, tennis, bowling…
[STAY] where to spend a night or longer    B&B’s, resorts, cottages and other accommodation….
[BUY] shopping of course   markets, stores, sales, clearances ….
[ENJOY] appreciate arts and culture, exhibitions   galleries, studios, theatre…..

• you can also search by Tags - click on the top right link for Tag Cloud
• Archive links are also available from a link in the footer

Whatzon is becoming a great source for not only the Yarra Valley Wineries, but also many other businesses out here such as

Bed and breakfast accommodation places and many other interesting things to see and do.

It really has taken a lot of the heart ache out of worrying about having someone to update our information

Because we can do it ourselves, and it’s as easy as using your Twitter account or direct from the Whatzon page.

I strongly suggest to anyone wanting to push their business to contact John – john@whatzon.com.au

You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks John from the Tokar Family.

 

 

Red Wine is Good For You

Red Wine is Good For You

Does red wine deserve its reputation as a healthy choice?

It has been linked with all sorts of health benefits over the years: the
heart, the lungs, prevention of breast cancer, prostate cancer, tooth decay,
longevity and just general wellbeing. But can this be true and how can one
drink affect so many parts of the body?

Our reporter Dr Andrew Rochford uncorks a few reds to investigate the truth.

The whole idea that red wine keeps us healthy comes from something called
the French Paradox. Scientists noticed that despite a diet loaded with
saturated fat, very few French people actually croak it from heart attacks.

Just 83 out of 100,000 Frenchmen die from heart disease compared with 230 in
the US. The difference? The amount of red wine they drink.

Family doctor Philip Norrie is such a red wine advocate and fan that he
bought his own vineyard in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. He's also
written several books and a thesis on red wine and its health benefits.

"We're all going to die from something and what I'm trying to do is delay
your death," says Dr Norrie. He says the wine has been used medicinally for
over 5000 years for antiseptic (treating wounds, water and preoperative), as
a tranquiliser or sedative, and as a hypnotic.

This 'wine doctor' is a devoted disciple of red wine - he recommends it to
many of his patients.

REF : Health on Ninemsn

Read the rest of the article here.

Yarra Valley Winery Weddings at Tokar Estate

Imagine a wedding where you pledge your vows to one another with views beyond imagination to highlight this special moment?  Set against the beautifully dramatic backdrop of the Yarra Valleys finest vineyards, sweeping mountain ranges and stunning skyline, Tokar Estate’s pristine gardens make a superb setting for your ceremony.

Balmy summer nights and glorious sunsets over the Vineyard makes the deck adjacent to the Restaurant ideal for pre –dinner drinks and canapés.  Then, with a magnificent menu accompanied by award winning boutique wines, you and your guests will be treated to the finest of Yarra Valley Hospitality.

Hosts, Leon and Rita Tokar together with their passionate and professional staff, will ensure that your Wedding day is stylish, enjoyable and a Magically memorable event.

A day that truly reflects your unique tastes.

Please contact us for more information on Yarra Valley Winery Wedding Packages and we will be more than happy to help you with the most special day of your life.

rita@tokarestate.com.au

natalie@tokarestate.com.au

An Image story of Tokar Estate

History of Australian Wine

History of Australian Wine
Australia is currently one of the foremost wine making nations, with a
quality reputation throughout the world, but this has not always been the
case. Australia has had a series of peaks and troughs in both production
and quality over its history but it is currently experiencing a period of
sustained growth and reputation that started in the early 1980's and
continues today. Australia currently holds 4-5% of the worlds wine market
and this is rising steadily.
The origins of wine making began back in 1788 when vine cuttings where
brought to shore by Captain Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove. These initial
vines proved unsuccessful but success stories where not far around the
corner when the settlers ventured further a field and found good quality
soil that combined with the strong sun and favorable overall climate led to
the beginnings of the Australian wine industry in land around Parramatta and
close to the current Hunter Valley region near Cessnock.
The major growth in the Australian wine industry began with the
introduction of European immigrants from Germany and Switzerland, bringing
with them the knowledge and experience needed to start cultivating the
excellent growing conditions, particularly in the cooler southern regions of
the country, specifically regions such as the Barossa in South Australia.
By the turn of the 19th century there were vineyards many of today's major
viticulture areas.
Read More About the History Courtesy of A Nice Drop

And for more information about Tokar Estate you can visit our Website