Why Visit Deviation Road?
- You love Champagne and sparkling wine in general
- You like to support women winemakers (go girls!) and family businesses, too
- You want to enjoy wine outside with a stunning view and maybe a regional cheese or charcuterie board
The Story of Deviation Road
If you’re looking for premium bubbles while wine tasting in South Australia, look no further than Deviation Road. The winery produces exceptional cool climate wines from well-developed vineyards in the Adelaide Hills regions. Owners Hamish and Kate Laurie were destined to find success in the wine industry continuing a five generation winemaking tradition between them.
For Hamish, winemaking goes way back in the family. His grandmother was actually the very first female winemaker in South Australia. Hamish’s vineyard, which produces most of Deviation Road’s wonderful wines today, is one of the oldest vineyards in the region. In 1991, Hamish and his dad created Hillstowe Wines which went on to become an international brand. Then in 2001, he had the opportunity to open his own winery and he took it! Deviation Road was born and his partner, Kate, joined Hamish at the winery later that first year.
Kate knew she wanted to work in wine when she was only 19. She took the opportunity to pursue wine and her love of all things French by enrolling in Lycée Viticole d’Avize in Champagne. She actually learned how to make Champagne in Champagne!! What a dream. After 3 years of study in France, Kate returned to work at her family’s winery in Western Australia before joining Hamish at Deviation Road.
Today, Kate handles most of the winemaking aspects while Hamish manages the winery and vineyards, the resident disgorger, and Kate’s partner in blending. And in life, apparently. 😉 While most of the fruit for Deviation Road wines comes from Hamish’s vineyard on Deviation Road in Carey Gully, Hamish and Kate also source some fruit from other premium, cool climate sites in Adelaide Hills. The microclimates of Adelaide Hills are able to provide fruit with a variety of flavor profiles and dimensions, making for more interesting wines. All Deviation Road sparkling wines are made in the traditional method, hand bottled and disgorged by hand, too. The winery seeks to produce wines that demonstrate the fruit purity of the region while showcasing the best Adelaide Hills has to offer. In my opinion, Deviation Road has definitely accomplished just that.
Tastings and Experiences
The Deviation Road cellar door is located at the gateway to Hamish and Kate’s 50-hectare property. The cellar door is charming and the deck offers a perfect place to taste wine outdoors with an incredible view of the Deviation Road vineyards. If you’re planning to visit the winery, I recommend giving yourself enough time to sit back, relax, and enjoy both the spectacular wines and the charming setting. The cellar door also offers regional cheese and charcuterie boards to enjoy with your wine flight for $15 – $30.
Deviation Road tasting flights include:
- The Autumn Flight – $15. Loftia Vintage Brut. Pinot Gris. Grüner Veltliner. Ironbank Shiraz.
- The Classics – $20. Loftia Vintage Brut. Altair Brut Rosé. Chardonnay. Pinot Noir.
- The Noble Cuvée – $30. Southcote Blancs de Noir. Loftia Vintage Brut. Altair Brut Rosé. Beltana Blanc de Blancs.
- The Masters of Sparkling – $50. Loftia Vintage Brut. Camille Savès Brut Carte Blanche NV Premier Cru. Beltana Blanc de Blancs. Demière-Ansiot Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV.
