Stonehaven Stepping Stone Sparkling NV

New life at one of the Limestone Coast’s most significant wineries, Stonehaven. Originally built as part of the then Hardy’s mega-empire, it has seen ups and downs, including sitting dormant for a period. With the sale of the facility and vineyards to C. W. Wines, we have a most welcome resurrection. And we even have a fresh, new sparkler to celebrate this. Part of the Stepping Stone range, which is a newly released set of wines at entry level to provide winelovers with fresh, easy-drinking, good value drinking, with the focus on the Limestone Coast but extending beyond that, as well.

This youthful sparkler is a blend of the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourced from throughout South Australia. The grapes were harvested early for freshness, before undergoing a cool tank fermentation and then extended lees contact. An attractive gold colour, this is fresh and foaming, very much upfront with enthusiastic exuberance. A mix of aromas, with lemons, raspberries, spices, florals and a touch of peach. Ripe, fully flavoured, generous and approachable.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.

Wine writer and critic