Slow start for the day with a lot to do. Plan for today is for a Gundog Eatate lunch as something of a farewell to Hunter Valley living.
Must say I am struggling. Did get over to the wine shed ahead of the community AGM to see if they needed my proxy vote. I decided not to attend the meeting as the community will soon be part of my history. They can shape their future. Good to chat with a few folk. Added to the melancholy - it is also 2 years since my mother died.
Wine lunch is being held in the barrel room here where Gundog wines are made. Nicely set up with a smaller group than the last one in 2019. Covid screwed the last 2.
Matt Burton, winemaker extraordinaire introduced Andy the chef
Menu - designed to match an eclectic raft of wines. Cured ocean trout for the whites
Partridge and a delightful artichoke item - never liked artichoke but this was special - to match the eclectic white, rose and subtle red
Beef cheek pie to go with the bold Hunter Shiraz reds
Sorry for lack of food photos - was hungry and it was yummy.
Matt chatted between each course. I love his passion. Sat next to his father who steered his retirement to buying a bush block outside Canberra with some vines to support his son's wine career. Father follows son is not the normal story.
Behind Matt is poster for Path2Change - they run a program locally in Newcastle to help young people out of hard times and broken homes. Gundog are sponsors
Jenn talked from the heart about the program. The best part is Gundog offer work experience in cellar door and the winery to some of the kids
Was a lunch rounded out with a special wine - M Burton Shiraz aiming to grab a slice of the premium Shiraz market.
Good lunch and probably the last such one in the valley.
Pushed my weary and reflux ridden body, which rejected the dessert and muscat, into the garden to pull weeds. Did that until it was dark - then had a snooze. Did not get what I wanted done - need to get out of bed earlier or find smarter ways to work.
Sandwich for dinner - emotions are hard work. Does not help that my wife is ill too
You can make a donation for Path2Change if you would like to help young people breakout of a cycle of abuse and drugs and alcohol
https://www.givenow.com.au/path2change
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