Stargazer Wines open new tasting room

It has been a five-year journey for Stargazer Wines in its pursuit of opening a new tasting room at the Palisander Vineyard.

Samantha Connew founded Stargazer Wines in 2012 and has since taken over the Palisander Vineyard, initially planted in 2004.

Ms Connew said the new tasting room represented a significant personal and professional milestone.

“From the outset, I wanted to create a space that reflects what Stargazer is all about: considered, thoughtful and grounded in this place,” she said. 

“The Palisander vineyard has grown alongside my winemaking journey, and this tasting room brings everything together.

“It’s a place where guests can see where their wine was grown, feel the story of the landscape and taste the results in the glass.”

Plans for the new space began in 2020.

“I can’t wait to share the beauty and character of the Coal River Valley with everyone who visits,” Ms Connew said.

“Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, we hope you’ll enjoy discovering the wines and the place that inspired them.”

With wine varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir, Ms Connew is the sole operator and owner of Stargazer.

“It’s been good in a way, because it's limited the scale that I can grow at,” she said.

“I fund everything myself, which has kept my growth in line with my production and sales levels.”

Having been part of the wine industry for decades, Ms Connew said she had noticed the recent rise of low-alcoholic content drinks.

“I think it's most easily seen in the Chardonnays; they are far less oaky and less alcoholic than they used to be 30 years ago.

“I think the exciting thing is—and it's kind of a double-edged sword— people are drinking a lot less than they used to, but they're willing to spend more to drink better, which I think is a good thing.”

“Wine is a different commodity from spirits and beer because we only get one chance at it each year.

“People understand where their wine comes from; it’s not something they mindlessly grab off the shelf at Dan Murphy’s.”

Ms Connew also recently won the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Winemaker of the Year Award.