Today we ventured out to visit the Villa d'Esta vineyard in Dyers Crossing. Very small vineyard run by Zolie Toth....who is Hungarian, and pretty much does everything including manning the tasting room. Zolie's ancestors have been in the wine business for almost 500 years, and he has a very interesting past. Came to Australia as a Master Vintner for a startup winery....and left there after the Management began to cut corners in order to mass produce. Has run his own place for about 14 years. So we sat and talked and tasted. When we shared our Hungarian - Lischka heritage he brought out a book and showed us where the Lischkas were probably from. He went and got some cheese and crackers and we moved outside....ate some 'table grapes' which we picked from the vines.....and drank some more! Other patrons came and went, but he wasn't interested in us leaving...so we didn't. So we spent the better part of the afternoon with Zolie....watching birds, drinking wine, and taking care of the Monkey! Great day again.....
The birds of Australia are fascinating, and plentiful. We are awakened every morning by quite a chorus from many different varieties....the most vocal being the Black Backed Magpie. They are the size of our crows....but have a great series of calls.....with the most amusing being one that sounds like a ringtone for a cell phone. Very amusing. Other species we have identified include: southern Fig Bird, a member of the Oriole Family, a Willy Wagtail, a Superb Fairy Wren, a Superb Parrot, and several laughing Kookaburra. Add about a dozen that I haven't matched to my new field guide yet......so for an amateur birder...this place is awesome!
Hear for yourself !
Hope all is well and you are having a great time.
ReplyDeleteLizzy