Monday, 3 October 2011

Sculpture in the Vineyards Now on Display in the Hunter

Each year weird and wonderful sculptures pop up all around the Wolllombi Vineyards for three months..

The official opening of Sculpture in the Vineyards 2011 was held in the garden behind Noyce Brothers Cellar Door, in the heart of the Wollombi village, yesterday, Sunday 2nd October.

Sculpture in the Vineyards in the Hunter Valley, NSW Australia,  features  large-scale outdoor and site-specific works as well as an indoor exhibition of small sculpture at The Gate Gallery. This event provides artists with a rare opportunity to showcase their work, engaging visitors over a three month exhibition period by inviting them to enjoy contemporary sculpture amidst boutique vineyards and an historic town, rich in indigenous and colonial heritage. People can enjoy fine wines and a wander through some of the most picturesque countryside in NSW while feasting their eyes on this years fabulous array of sculpture.

This years participating venues include-
- Undercliff Winery
Proclaimed and settled as a farm in 1846 the property still retains the original timber slab sheds and homestead, the latter is now unique accommodation for guests named Settlers Cottage. The clay quarry for the 19th century Wollombi brickworks is adjacent to the vineyards and is now a billabong fed by a subterranean water table providing irrigation for the vineyard. Undercliff Winery, built in 1993 is nestled in a tranquil valley only 1.5 kilometres from Historic Wollombi Village. The cellar door was constructed to compliment the existing heritage values of the Undercliff Estate with the external slab walls superbly set off a cedar cathedral ceiling. The wine making equipment was built specifically as was the 6 metre table used for vintage lunches and other functions.The cellar door is open daily 10 am to 5pm and the owner operators are Peter and Jane Hamshere.

- Stonehurst Cedar Creek
The vineyard is located on the land originally granted to Napoleonic War Veterans in the 1820′s and which become renowned for its horticultural produce. The Heslop family farmed deer and cattle on the property for many years before establishing the vineyard in 1995. The vision for the vineyard is to produce premium quality wines through sustainable viticulture – no insecticides and only organically approved fungicides are used. The family homestead, Cellar Door and wine cellar are all built of sandstone quarried on the farm and old convict stone. The cedar creek cottages, which are self–contained with all modern amenities, are built from old timber slabs and convict brick to the rich heritage of Wollombi. The Winery can found on the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail and the cellar door is open 7 days a week 10am – 5pm.

- Noyce Brothers Wines
The Noyce family have been farming in the Wollombi Valley for 40 years, and the wines are cultivated on land first settled in 1823. The aim at Noyce Brothers is to explore ways in which technology and tradition can push the boundaries of taste. The cellar door is in the magnificent old sandstone Grays Inn, next to the General Store in the heart of Wollombi Village, with lovely restaurants close by. Opening Hours: Open Wednesday-Monday 10.30am to 5pm

- Wollombi Village Vineyard

-  Wollombi Wines Vineyard
This is situated adjacent to the historic village of Wollombi and bordered by the beautiful Wollombi Brook. Family owned and operated by proprietors Allyson and Peter Hoft, the vineyard produces quality wines with typical Hunter flavour and characteristics, including three three lower alcohol wines. Wine tasting 7 days  a week 10am to 5pm

-  The Gate Gallery and Sculpture Garden
It is with great pleasure that The Gate Gallery and Sculpture Garden play host to Sculptures in the Vineyards for a second year. Opening in 2010 the Gate Gallery and Sculpture Garden, situated in the expansive grounds of Lavender Gate Farm, is rapidly establishing itself as an important part of the contemporary Sydney and Hunter art scene. During Sculpture in the Vineyards The Gate Gallery features an indoor exhibition of small sculptures by selected Sculpture in the Vineyard artists in addition to their site-specific works. The Gate Gallery also exhibits a range of works by Australian and international artists with particular emphasis on Aboriginal work. The Gallery is open from Friday – Monday 10.00am  – 3.00pm or by appointment. No appointment is necessary to view The Sculpture Garden, which is open daily from 10.00am – 3.00pm. Principals Caroline & Willem van Zanten welcome artists and visitors alike and are happy to discuss the artworks, personal exhibitions and forthcoming events.

History
Sculpture in the Vines began in 2002 when Susan Lowes of Millfield Wines teamed up with Stonehurst Wines’ Phillipa Heslop and Stella Downer o f Stella Downer Fine Art to launch the annual exhibition. It was held March through to April to coincide with the Hunter Valley Harvest Festival and comprised of invited artists coming through the gallery in Sydney - Rae Bolton, Jan King, Robert Hague, Trevor Weekes to name a few. The first year involved three wineries; Millfield, Stonehurst and Tallavera Grove. Undercliff Winery and Millbrook Estate became part of theexhibition in the second and third years.

In 2005 Millfield Wines was sold and together with Stella Downer and Tallavera Grove exited the exhibition. Local artist Kess Harper curated the exhibition that year on the three remaining vineyards, all Wollombi Valley Wine Trail vineyards.  The name was changed to Sculpture in the Vineyards in 2006.

Tara Morelos has curated the exhibition for the past 4 years and is joined in 2010 by Cassandra Hard Lawrie and Todd Fuller in 2011. The wineries are very appreciative of the effort and commitment each curator has given to the exhibition, and are committed to supporting artists, without whose work there could be no event.
“Our artists continue to inspire, amaze and enthuse all who visit this annual event.”  Phillipa Heslop

For more information visit www.sculptureinthevineyards.com.au 

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