At The Bar with Harvest Rock’s Cellar Door Wine Curator Nick Stock

The second iteration of Harvest Rock returns to South Australia this weekend; bringing topline international acts like Beck and Jamiroquai to the stage, but it’s also a chance to embrace the fabulous wines from the region too.

While Paul Kelly, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Sparks and Santigold will crank their soundtracks for the festival goers, it’s the drinks list you won’t want to miss.

Australian wine critic Nick Stock takes centre stage of his own as he curates the finest drops the region has to offer when it comes to matters of the vine.

The Cellar Door Pop-Up is your chance to drink your way around some of SA’s best wine regions all at the one convenient location which he has carefully curated so you get the best. That’s more than 100 wineries to wrap your tastebuds around – what’s not to love about that!

The Write Drop talks to Nick Stock who shares his love for Adelaide, why burgundy rules his palette and shares which South Australian winery is ticking all the boxes right now.

MY CITY

Adelaide is such a fun place for me. I love it for the incredible wine from the surrounding regions and for the stunning golden beaches to the south (where I live and co-own the Silver Sands Beach Club) and the way the city is embracing an exciting hospitality and dining culture.

FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY

It has to be cooking Port Lincoln mussels in the half shell over charcoal on Sellicks Beach with just a dusting of pepper and a drizzle of local Diana olive oil. It is so simple. I love the simplest food experiences. And a glass of Koomilya Rosé from just across the other side of McLaren Vale. OK, a bottle.

FAVOURITE BAR MEMORY

Wow, I have quite a few. I can’t go past the front bar of the Exeter Hotel in Rundle Street which has been there since 1851 and has not changed all that much over so many years. Their beer is so fresh, you meet real people here and you have real conversations. I drank Krug Champagne here with Olivier Krug and his daughter Clemence last Saturday and I reckon that’s right up there!

WINE THAT DESCRIBES YOU

Pinot Noir. Always delivers, always a lot of fun and can also get serious when needed.

BEST HANGOVER CURE

A swim in the ocean at Sellicks Beach and a lot of icy cold mineral water. And great sex (can I say that?).

BEST INTERSTATE BAR

I love restaurant bars that can feed you, serve great wine and make great cocktails. Gimlet in Melbourne nails this and sitting in the centre of this beautiful dining room is an absolute treat. It always feels so special.

FAVOURITE WINE RIGHT NOW

It has to be red Burgundy. Predictable perhaps but there’s really nothing like pinot noir at this level. Barolo is close! Local favourite is Adelaide Hills chardonnay and I drink Murdoch Hill, Shaw + Smith and Ochota Barrels regularly, to name a few.

FAVOURITE WINERY

I have a long list but I am going to single out Murdoch Hill in the Adelaide Hills. The wine quality here tis phenomenal and they specialise in outstanding chardonnay and pinot noir – my favourite white and red wines.

BEST NEWCOMER IN THE DRINK WORLD

I am so impressed with Nick Dugmore of Stoke Wines who is driving a wave of interest around Kangaroo Island wine. He has worked so hard on his own vineyard and winemaking but has also done so much for others. His determination and generosity are an impressive combination. A young leader, a weapon, he is so bloody inspiring!

NEXT DESTINATION

I’m going to get across to Lisbon, Portugal. I have a great mate who has set up some fun businesses there and he keeps telling me how great it is. Time to go check it out!

TELL US ABOUT THE WINE PROGRAM AT HARVEST ROCK 2023

Expect to drink so many great wines and meet a really amazingly talented group of South Australia’s best winemakers. They’re all set up in the Cellar Door feature which was packed last year and really is the place to hang when you’re in between the stages. I’ve chosen winemakers that make really delicious wines, really drinkable wines and are people that really love going to great music festivals. So, you’ll probably get a dance out of them in the crowd too.

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