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Leeuwin Estate winery in Margaret River, Western Australia, is delighted to return to its classical origins for the 2012 Concert Series with soprano, Marina Prior, tenor, David Hobson and the Perth Symphony Orchestra performing an enchanting repertoire from popular operatic classics including La traviata and Tosca through to the greatest songs from musical theatre including West Side Story, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. The post concert arena party will come alive to the sounds of virtuoso, James Morrison, and his 11 piece band performing their dynamic “Motown Show” and keeping guests in the main arena dancing until late!

Marina Prior, renowned leading lady of musical theatre, is best known for her lead role in The Phantom of the Opera. She has also performed in concerts with international stars including Richard Harris and José Carreras. Marina has played the lead role in productions including The Pirates of Penzance, Cats, Les Miserable’s, Die Fledermaus, West Side Story, The Secret Garden, The Merry Widow, The Witches of Eastwick, Guys and Dolls and her most recent engagement in Mary Poppins. Marina’s recordings include Leading Lady (which reached platinum status), Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber (which reached gold status and for which she was nominated for an ARIA award), and Somewhere – the Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein. She has won numerous awards for her performances on stage as well as an Advance Australia Award for her contribution to the performing arts.

Charismatic tenor and composer, David Hobson, has sung many roles for Opera Australia and state and international opera companies, including his award winning performances of Rodolfo (La Bohème) and the title role in Orphee. Other operatic performances include Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, and The Barber of Saville. He has appeared with the San Francisco Opera in the world premiere of Dangerous Liaison, and performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. His numerous recordings include You’ll Never Walk Alone (with Teddy Tahu-Rhodes), Singing for Love (with Yvonne Kenny) and The Enchanted Way which all enjoyed Number 1 success on the classical music charts. David has won numerous awards including Operatic Performer of the Year, the Sydney Critics Circle Award, The Age Performing Arts Award for Best Performer in Opera, an ARIA Award and an Australian Film Critics Circle Award for best film score.

Post Concert Arena party: With an 11 piece band, James Morison brings his Motown Show to Leeuwin for the post concert arena party and promises to keep guests in the main arena dancing until late! James is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word, this multi-instrumentalist plays the trumpet, trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano. He has performed at the first Leeuwin Concert, in the world’s most famous jazz clubs and at the big festivals in Europe. He recorded Jazz Meets the Symphony with The London Symphony Orchestra. He has performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for Princess Anne, as well as command performances for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton and was awarded a medal of The Order of Australia for his services to the arts.

…wine is such a personal thing

We at down south magazine were fortunate enough to be privy to the exclusive ‘invitation only’ Club Nectar some time ago and enjoyed a night of fine wine, good food and entertaining banter. Hosted by the Edwards brothers (pictured left) Christo (the viticulturalist) and Mike (the winemaker), the regular event is attended by 15 “mostly winemakers and viticulturalists, plus a couple of others.” “Basically the members all have an interest in wine,” says the charismatic Christo who initiated the club three years ago. “I started it up as there were a few of us that were friends already and we all have busy lives. This was a great way of keeping in touch regularly.

Our wives are also happy, as we have convinced them that we are seeing each for a very good reason.” All members are now firm friends and the regular event places an emphasis on shunning some of the more serious aspects of wine tasting. The wine notes to follow are evidence of the tongue in cheek nature of the club. “Last wine of the evening and luckily it is a ripper. There was a bit of milling around the beer fridge happening so it had to be good to keep some minds on the job.” You get the picture. As Christo says “Wine is such a personal thing really. We’re just a few mates who enjoy getting together and having a laugh.”

On top of keeping 15 oenologist’s happy every month, Edwards Wines also has an interesting history. In 1990, Mike and Christo Edward’s father, the late Dr. Brian Edwards, flew his 1943 Tiger Moth plane solo from England to Perth. The ambitious journey, which took six weeks, was to raise funds for the Legacy Foundation of which he and his mother were recipients of when his father was killed in World War II. Brian Edwards purchased the property in 1991, not to establish a vineyard but because there was sufficient space to fit an air-strip along the property’s back boundary. Two years later, the first vines were planted and in 1994, his son Christo, a keen surfer and trained horticulturalist, moved to the area to take over the running of the vineyard. Fast forward five years and Edwards Wines is the recipient of two trophies and three gold medals in its first year of production.

Older brother and former geologist Mike joined the family business almost a decade later following four years as assistant winemaker at Voyager Estate. Sadly, Dr. Brian Edwards lost his battle with leukemia in 2003 but his renowned yellow Tiger Moth ‘Matilda’ sits as a tribute, proudly on display for all to see in its specially made hangar, adjacent to the cellar door.

Smack in the middle between Gracetown and Margaret River, Edwards Winery has certainly come a long way in a short time. The vineyard now produces a variety of grapes from 65 acres of vines, and has impressed Australia’s most respected wine critic James Halliday. “The consistency in the quality is remarkable.” Of course, the boys at the Nectar Club have known this for quite some time.

2010 Edwards Chardonnay

There was a lot of reverential murmuring about this wine with one vocal dissenter who doesn’t know what is good for him. Lots of comments about sweet nectarine fruit and balanced quality oak. The palate has a textural glycerol richness with honeydew melon and peachy fruit. Many tasters added nuances to the whole, including cinnamon, banana, orange blossom and one taster needs to learn to write something more useful than ”yeah, not bad.”

2007 Suckfizzle SBS

Wine number 2 and arguments amongst the nectar heads continue. It will be as usual interesting to see if we can get through a tasting without any blows landed. All agreed it is very oaky on the nose and palate. Opinions then diverged as to whether this was a good or bad thing. On the positive side were the comments on how fresh and lively it is for an 07 SBS. It also shows an unusual level of complexity for this style and is obviously not built for everyone’s tastes. Having said that the level of oak extract was not to the taste of the majority of nectar heads who are simple folk. Really.

2009 Xanadu Chardonnay

An air of agreement by all present on this wine. Very simple for a MR Chardy. Lots of rich stone fruit and pineapple smells backed by quite timberous or planky oak which is not yet fully integrated. The palate is soft and rich with well balanced cleansing acid on the finish but again the oak was a little on the hard side.

2010 Cape Naturaliste SSB

The first wine of the night and already the subject of much discussion. If you live and breathe MR Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc you will enjoy this wine. It is a great example of this blend which MR does so well. If you had never tasted a MR SSB before you’d be blown away by the heady mix of aromas with hints of citrus blossom, snow pea, sherbet and pineapple. The palate backs this up with soft rich fruit flavours that are fresh and cleansing. A great summer drink that more than rivals the flood of NZ SB’s on our shelves.

2009 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay

Again a vibe infused with positive murmurs filled the Nectar club house when this wine was poured. Some of the more astute nectar heads (i.e. the ones that don’t manage vineyards and are therefore useful for more than lifting heavy objects) immediately identified characters reminiscent of fine white burgundy. Ripe varietal chardonnay fruit is complicated by hints of struck match, cherry and roasted cashew oak and mandarin peel. The palate really sang and the Nectar chorus line said hints of citrus fruit flavours, textural richness, perfectly integrated subtle oak and acid, and great line and length.

2009 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon

Most comments were that this wine showed classic MR notes of choc mint and eucalyptus. The palate was flavoursome, varietal and rich. Everyone found something different in the wine which reflected its many facets. One for the cellar.

2008 Cape Grace Chardonnay

The Nectar heads were split to the kernel with this wine. The ayes said nicely aged fig and pear fruit characters on the nose with well integrated quality oak hints. The palate was rich and broad with some years ahead of it. The nays were mostly commenting on the aged characters of the wine hence showing what boofheads they are. The ayes won.

2008 Cape Naturaliste Merlot

Universally positive responses to this wine. Very classic cassis and cedar aromas with a soft rich mid weight palate. The approval rating went way higher when it was revealed to be a Merlot a much maligned variety for many of us. If all merlot was as good as this it really would be the soft easy drinking wine the punters imagine it to be. The Barbie master rated it as a winner due to its guzzle–ability. One taster commented on vinegar flies in his glass. Thanks for that very useful input.

2008 Edwards Shiraz

Very well received by the heads. The aroma was very complex and very distinctly regional MR shiraz. Very pungent aroma on this wine with classic plums and licorice backed by hints of white (not black he said) pepper and black pastilles. The palate is dense and brooding and again very complex. Its ripeness, richness, nicely balanced tannins (described by one head as plush) and soft acid make this an easy wine to drink a lot of.

2008 Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon

A very well received wine. It starts out by having a lovely sweet smelling aroma reminiscent of chocolate, leather and blackberries. The palate is rich and integrated, showing the benefit of a bit of bottle age. The heads came up with quite a variety of descriptors for this wine including Dilmah, rum and raisin and not bad. Thanks for that one boys. Very helpful to the scribe I’m sure.

2008 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon

Last wine of the evening and luckily it is a ripper. There was a bit of milling around the beer fridge happening so it had to be good to keep some minds on the job. This has it all. Ripe red berry fruit, hints of black currant cassis, prominent but very classy oak aromas. The palate is rich and long with very well judged and refined tannin structure. All heads gave it two thumbs up.

2008 Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon

The heads were a bit more inspired by this wine. It was good enough to keep most of the tasters from eyeing off the beer fridge for 10 minutes or so. Classic varietal MR Cabernet fruit with aromas of cassis, spearmint and violets supported by cigar box oak. This lead into a dense palate laden with sweet ripe fruit, velvety tannins and a long soft finish. Very classy.

Well it’s that time of year again, and the second ever edition of down south is about to hit the shelves. On the cover is Hollywood mega-star Sam Worthington, talking about the locally produced Drift. There’s also a free wine pass to get you great discounts and deals at selected wineries over the summer. We meet some local chefs, artisans and winemakers, and get towed into some of the biggest surf ever caught on film in the South-West. Awesome.

Boutique Eco also offers a diverse range of leather jackets, bags, belts and boots, alongside cotton T-shirts, singlets and shirts. Bamboo has been crafted into stockings and dresses, which could be worn with any of the silk scarves, pure cashmere jumpers or cardigans. If you are looking for Uggs there is every type on offer as well as a collection of beautiful leather boots. The new summer range of clothes will include dresses, T-shirts, jeans and flowing blouses. Boutique Eco is all about quality and sophistication, accented by colour and texture, and all produced by Australian designers using natural products. While hunting down the best quality eco fashions available, Boutique Eco’s owners have stayed true to their commitment to sustainability and ensured everything in their shops has been carefully selected to meet stringent quality criteria. Boutique Eco stores are welcoming – rich, warm, yet naturally-styled decor complements the clothes and the company’s new brand and image, which launched in early June. Eco fashion is no longer taboo – it’s fashionable, luxurious and a long way from baggy pants and hessian. Drop into one of the concept stores for a look!

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro runs from April 3 to April 10, and this year combines with is combined Sunset Events including a concert on April 9 and an Art’s Festivel from April 6 to 10.

On show this year will be Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmour and of course local hero Taj Burrow. Maybe this year Taj can go one better and claim title to this prestigious event.

Singles or Young Couples
If you are travelling as a single or a younger couple, try Must upstairs on Bussell Highway, above the restaurant on the main strip in Margaret River. The accomodation is modern and the location puts you in easy walking distance of everything in town. Plus you know the food is good downstairs – the restaurant is owned by Chef Russell Blaikie. Darby Park accomodation at the entry into Marg’s is also good. It’s new, clean, stylish and well priced. With Winos over the road, Must up the road and the Settlers Tavern or the Margaret River Hotel only a stone’s throw away it’s perfect.

Luxury Couples
For those newly weds or guys who are out to impress, Smiths Beach Resort and Injidup Spa are clear winners. Injidup Spa is an exclusive stay, with 10 only luxury villas and an award winning day spa. Each villa has it’s own plunge pool and wonderful ocean views. Smiths Beach is a contemporary resort and is located on the beautiful Smiths Beach, which is perfect for evening walks or a swim. If you want something a bit more nature-based, try  Hidden Valley Retreat. This is a wonderful retreat set in beautiful natural bushland (pictured here). Selador is a private and exclusive home residence for adults only – it is split into two wings, so is perfect for two couples wanting to share – and the price is good at $500 peak and $400 off peak. Another favourite of ours is Bunker Bay Resort. It’s hard to beat this place. Beautiful views, a great infinity pool and fabulous bar area and restaurant. Tennis, beaches, day spas – you name it, they have it. Seashells in Yallingup is also a great place to stay. Situated right next to historic Caves House, this is a well presented neat, clean and modern resort.

Families
There are hundred’s of holiday homes available from letting agents for families to book – you can look at most of these online. There are a few letting agencies around. We have used Private Properties a few times and Dunsborough Holiday Homes. With a family we think this is a great option, as you get space and all the amenities you need. If a house isn’t for you, Abbey Beach Resort in Busselton is one of the best places to stay for families. Smiths Beach, Bunker Bay and Seashells mentioned previously are also great for kids as well as couples. Abbey Beach Resort has 3 pools, with one indoor to beat the heat. The resort also has a playground, tennis courts, and the beautiful Geographe Bay beach in their backyard. A cafe and restaurant are on site too. Rooms are big which is a must for larger families.

That should cover all your bases for this summer. We know all of these places, and all are given our VIP stamp of approval.

RUSSELL ORD

1974 / WIFE CATHERINE / KALANI, TAVIAN AND AYLA MY TRIO/ INSPIRATIONS FAMILY NO QUESTION / SURF PHOTOGRAPHER / MARGARET RIVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA / COVERS EDITORIAL ADVERTISING / TRAVEL / FILM DIGITAL / WRITING / WATER LAND LIFESTYLE CREATE / NO EXPECTATIONS / EXPERIENCE THE WORLD / FIRST PUBLISHED 1998 / CYCLOPS NIAS SHIPSTERNS JAVA / ENTHUSIASTIC PROFESSIONAL RELAXED SACRIFICE / SURF SNOW RUGBY LEAGUE SPORTS BOOKS/ PEOPLE PLACES RESPECT / LIFE IS GREAT / BIO IS BRIEF.

Russell Ord is a genuine lad and world-class surf photographer, but if you ever asked him he would say the complete opposite. That’s just Ordy, he’s never really been one to steal the spot light, it’s just not his style. With Ord photography is all about the passion and if you’re lucky enough to shoot with him, you too will quickly realise how true this really is. Soon after opening his first ever Gallery in Cowaramup, Western Australia, Ord had a customer come through the door, turn to him and say, “I’ve seen this Russell Ord guys shots before in surfing magazines, his photography is great. Do you know him? Ordy smiled and looked back at the guy and replied, “Yeah, I’ve met him a few times before,” and that was that. See Ordy’s not one to make a fuss, nah he’d rather just get on with life, keep it simple and enjoy every day with his much loved friends and family. (Written by Justin Ward – Soggybones Magazine Editor)

Visit Russell in person! at The Sitting Room Gallery, Bussell Highway, Cowaramup or in cyberspace at www.sittingroomgallery.com.au or www.soggybones.com

Cheong first became seriously interested in cooking at boarding school in Perth. When a new chef started in the boarder’s kitchen, and there was a noticeable difference in the quality of the food, Cheong’s interest was piqued.

His first professional cooking job was at Voyager Estate in Margaret River for a special event with local chef Don Hancey. He then moved to Perth to take up an apprenticeship at Burswood Resort Casino where he learnt the art of quality large-scale food production – and how to make 100 litres of bechamel sauce.

Cheong moved to Must to finish his apprenticeship where he is now sous chef and works closely with owner Russell Blaikie.