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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