General News
22 November, 2022
Good drop in Canberra
CARBON Tax and Leadership Spill were back on the agenda when federal MPs gathered at Canberra’s Parliament House last week. Kingower’s Mark and Christine Gilmore raided their Both Banks’ vintage cellar to share rare drops of Loddon wine at the...
CARBON Tax and Leadership Spill were back on the agenda when federal MPs gathered at Canberra’s Parliament House last week.
Kingower’s Mark and Christine Gilmore raided their Both Banks’ vintage cellar to share rare drops of Loddon wine at the first post-COVID regional showcase.
They joined 24 other producers for federal MP Anne Webster’s Magnificent Mallee.
“We took some of our vintage wines and there was particular interest in the naming of Carbon Tax (2012 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot) and The Leader’s Spill (2018),” Mark said. “We sold a few bottles to MPs and staffers.”
Mark and Christine name their wines after significant events each vintage.
Among those to drop in on Magnificent Mallee was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton who triggered the Liberals’ 2018 leadership spill against then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“Changes to industrial relations laws had been debated in Parliament on the day of Magnificent Mallee and the MPs were genuinely interested in how we (as businesses) were going,” Mark said.
“The Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) was out of the country but I’m sure he would have loved our wine too.”
Dr Webster said: “It was a fantastic evening where members and senators from across Australia got a taste of what makes Mallee so great.
“It was also a great opportunity for Mallee businesses to network and showcase their brands to a very receptive audience.”
Also sampling Mallee produce were Nationals’ leader David Littleproud, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and fellow minister Bill Shorten.
“I received so many compliments from parliamentary colleagues about the evening and the lovely produce on hand,” Dr Webster said.
“Many told me they cannot wait for the next time we hold an event like this, some talked to me about coming to Mallee for a holiday instead of the Gold Coast.
“This is a proud moment for Mallee and all our producers. The House of Representatives courtyard was teeming with activity as politicians perused the various goods from producers from every corner of Mallee,” Dr Webster said.
Premium red wines are crafted by wine-maker Cameron Leith from grapes grown on the Gilmore family vineyard at Kingower. The first vines were planted in 1985.