Barossa wine legends cook up cheeky wine event

An entertaining wine tasting event (and a special corned beef sandwich) will breathe new life into the Angaston Show.

Winemakers Tim Smith, Stuey Bourne, Hutton Vale Farm's Cait Angas, and Jane Ferrari with the corned beef sandwich that will accompany their wine event. Picture: Brenton Edwards

When the annual Angaston Show rolls into the Barossa Valley this month, it will feature a new event for fans of food and wine.

Barossa Upstairs Downstairs – a wine masterclass with a cheeky edge – is the latest addition to the show, which has been held at Angaston Showgrounds since 1897.

The February 27 event is the first on SA’s regional circuit this year.

Wine storyteller Jane Ferrari will be joined by last year’s Barossa winemaker of the year, Stuart Bourne, and fellow winemaker Tim Smith for a lively tasting of grenache, shiraz, mataro and riesling from the Eden high country and the Valley floor.

Barossa Upstairs Downstairs is not your average masterclass. These are some of the biggest personalities in the wine industry. Former Yalumba winemaker Simon Adams will also appear.

The aim is to attract a new wave of people to the community show, which has been held at the Angaston Showgrounds since 1897.

For the past 124 years, it has provided the community with a place to share produce and knowledge. In addition to horticulture and agriculture, log chopping and cooking competitions draw a crowd.

Tim Smith, Stuey Bourne, Jane Ferrari and Hutton Vale Farm's Cait Angas with the corned beef sandwich that will accompany their wine event. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Sure, the Genoa Cake and Men’s Chocolate Cake competitions are popular,” Ms Ferrari said. “But we want to give them a run for their money.

“Simon made the Yalumba Signature from about 1988 through 1999 (including the legendary 1996) and has worked with both Eden Valley and Barossa floor fruit forever.

“It’s a chance to see them compared and contrasted.”

And don’t expect boring technical wine talk. “It’s going to be exciting and informative … with lots of banter,” she said.

Nine wines from Pewsey Vale, Rockford, Yalumba, Brockenchack, Soulgrowers, Hutton Vale Farm, Tim Smith Wines, Langmeil and Sorby Adams will be poured.

Expect some rare gems. “The Rockford Vine Vale Riesling is usually only available to Rockford ‘Stonewallers’ mail order clients,” Ms Ferrari said. “I’m thrilled to bits to be able to show this wine.”

The Ango Show shaved-beef sandwich – inspired by New York’s famous Katz’s Delicatessen creation – will be served during the event. It’s inspired by the famous corned beef creation at New York’s Katz’s Delicatessen.

“It’s a very flash corned-beef sandwich,” Ms Ferrari said. “There’s no better combination than pastrami with grenache. I’ve made a killer tomato, chilli and maple relish to go with it, too.”

All the ingredients were donated by local businesses and a prominent local home cook will whip them up on the day.

Just 50 tickets are available for the wine event. Proceeds will go to the Angaston Show. Local wine brands Hutton Vale Farm, Tim Smith Wines and Soulgrowers have donated a magnum of wine an auction to raise funds for the Foundation Barossa Scholarship Program.

Tickets to Barossa Upstairs Downstairs are $40 and available at facebook.com/AngastonShow/