The wine industry in the Bathurst region has been gradually developing over the past decade, and news like this confirms why.

While the season has been a challenging one for the local vignerons after hot, dry summer conditions, enthusiasm to try something new has led to a good news story.

The Three Cobbers’ collaboration between Vale Creek Wines, Renzaglia Wines, and Grass Parrott Vineyard to make a sparkling chardonnay shows that while we may not yet have the reputation that Mudgee and Orange boast, we have the enthusiasm and talent to create first-class wines.

The wine-making trio bought chardonnay grapes for the wine from Three Views, a vineyard based at Caloola on the outskirts of Bathurst.

The cool-climate at Caloola is expected to lend itself to producing grapes for a sparkling wine.

Vale Creek Wines’ Tony Hatch said the project was starting from the ground up.

“We picked [the grapes] a bit early to ensure the sugar content wasn’t too high,” he said.

“However, before we commit to making a sparkling wine we will evaluate the base wine.

“While we don’t have the facilities to turn it into sparkling wine here, we will complete everything we can locally.”

It is that commitment to supporting local product and local talent that should also be applauded.

The 100 cases of sparkling wine that should be available in approximately 18 months will be a first for our city – but hopefully not the last experiment in what fantastic food and wine products we can produce in the region.

As Tony Hatch said, “if it works we will look at doing it again”, and it is with such experiments great things are born.