Posts by bradley hickey
The Sea
The vintage here is getting stressful, not enough grapes to go around, and dozens of growers to coddle until the contracts are signed and the fruit finally arrives at the winery. We work til our fingers bleed, then relax. And there is no finer breeze and light than in South Australia. Viticulturists (those that prepare…
Read MoreIn Country
I’ve begun driving long distances, which has caused some confusion, thanks to prehistoric signage pointing to the long forgotten villages of Middle Earth, as well as a chance to see more of the expansive sun stained countryside. R Winery is drawing from vineyards scattered all over South Australia, like McLaren Vale, the Barossa, and fairly…
Read MoreLamb, Lies, and Precipitation
There is a lot going on down here. So much so that I haven’t been able to sit down and write because everything keeps evolving too quickly. It’s an exciting time to be in South Australia. The company I’m working with, currently called R Winery, is growing at a break-neck speed. They’re tripling their production…
Read MoreThe Drought and Oranges
This has been one of the hottest and driest summers in history, which is saying something in Australia. I spent a good part of yesterday wandering round downtown under the severe sun looking for sunglasses, an ipod cover, a usb modem, and an fm transmitor. All of these will help me continue writing as I…
Read MoreOrientation
Today was a day to get up and look around at my new surroundings. It began with a walk through the brown Adelaide Hills, admiring the golden grass, hard packed dry earth, and a few spectacular dead Eucalyptus trees (called gum trees). Rachel described the calcified trees by saying they looked as if they were…
Read MoreRest On Rest Off
After a smooth flight to Adelaide and its posh new airport, I was met there by Alberto and Rachel of the Grateful Palate. It was sunny and warm, indicative of the drought South Australia has been suffering for some months now. We met with two young winemakers of the R Winery which is now developing…
Read MoreScorched by the Sun
Reflecting upon the trip to Oz before me, and it seems like it could just be outrageous. I was in Australia about 2 years ago for 21 days and loved the geography. I just remember the landscapes were so stunning; spacious rolling hills, earth looking scorched, expansive blue sky, monstrous gum trees like massive bones…
Read MoreOut of NYC
It’s been ten years in NYC and this week I make the big move down under to Australia to turn the page for new adventures. My friends showed me off in fine style and with much love, I think. Certainly the 90 Margaux was worth leaving town for. Thank you, boys!
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