Observing an Australian Love Story

"You wanna dance?" .... "Aw yeah"

If you're of the right vintage you'll recognise those words as the mating call for young Aussies during the 70's and 80's. Many a terrified young man, having left their mates at the bar and walked over to the girl of their choice, mumbled the 'wanna dance' bit and breathed a massive sigh of relief if they got the 'aw yeah' in return. In fact they were so relieved that they often didn't know what to say or do next.

Girls don't understand this but a 'no thanks', or worse the girl simply pretending you weren't there, meant doing the 'long walk.' This humiliating and seemingly never ending return trip to your mates was, short of war, the most traumatic experience any teenage man could face. 

Aside from having 'loser' appear magically on your face, the worst thing about the long walk was coming up with a good excuse as to why instead of dancing like a man having an electric shock with the woman of your dreams you were slinking across the dance floor like something unclean.  A good excuse was expected but almost never forthcoming. While "she looked ugly close up mate" was a favourite it met with all the ridicule it deserved.

However some lucky or handsome souls not only didn't face the long walk but found themselves in a 'relationship'. Many were brief but some ended up going through the girlfriend/ living together transition into full blown marriage. So it was that during the peak of the 'wanna dance, aw yeah' period a future Mr Coca Cola ambled over to a future Miss head of a private middle school.

Glenn Richardson met Christine at a school dance and together they turned that first night into a multi-decade relationship which produced a family, two careers and an award winning wine label. Not a bad return from a classic Aussie pick up line.

This still happy couple own Observatory Hill vineyard. Located in the catchment area for the Coal River it is, arguably, the closest vineyard to downtown Hobart. It started when Chris' father wanted to try his hand at viticulture. Glenn then became increasingly involved and the vineyard expanded to the point that five years ago a decision had to be made as to whether or not it should be tackled on a full time basis.

They say timing is everything and this decision point coincided with Glenn being sick of 'putting on a three piece suit and heading into town' and Chris reaching a similar turning point in her career. Sure they could have become merchant bankers or made money with their own travel agency but they decided to chance it in the world of wine instead.

Turns out this was a good choice. Listening to Chris and Glenn you get a strong sense they understand that a successful wine label needs quality wines and sales, not just one or the other. What's more they are prepared to take the steps necessary to turn that understanding into practice.

As an example, they have a strategy of giving the wine time to develop. "The reason so many people like our wines at the moment is that we keep them for two years" Glenn said. Driving this is a fear. Chris confessed that one thing they didn't ever want to hear was someone trying their wines and saying "what a shame, last time we had one it was good ... what a shame". 

The technical term for this fear is the 'school reunion factor'. Remember when you were at school there was the hot guy or chick and then years later at the school reunion there they are but they got fat or are bald and you think "you used to be hot, what happened to you!?". This is unforgivable. However being unattractive at school and then letting yourself go is not only ok, it's expected.

This 'school reunion factor reduction' strategy has paid off. All Observatory Hill wines have won medals and this, along with secret Coca Cola inspired selling tricks, has helped to drive sales. The combination of quality and retailing nouse has put Chris and Glenn in the enviable situation of being unable to always meet demand.

What they don't talk about is the one thing that has contributed most to their success. Chris and Glenn are funny and welcoming. You become very comfortable very quickly and this allows them to, unknowingly, benefit from a potent psychological factor. Put simply, people like to buy things from nice people.

In fact they can be so charming that it's a relief that they are using their powers of persuasion for good rather than evil. They would make formidable sellers of 'time share' or 'exciting and innovative financial products'. 

Remember this if you find yourself in the Observatory Hill cellar door. You will find yourself reaching for your wallet as you laugh at their jokes, improve your wine knowledge and take advantage of their considerable travel experience. The fact that you will spend too much is at least offset by the fact that you will be taking home some excellent wines.

Now what about those wines .....

2008 Observatory Hill Riesling

Chris describes this wine made by Neil Snare as 'lemon zest' with a 'beautiful dry riesling style'. The original high acid has mellowed to be gentle but long lasting. It gives the impression of having a slightly sweet highlight but this just reflects the quality of the grapes. The other thing you will notice is a soft mineral quality. 

It is a very good food wine and it's quality has been awarded with a silver medal at the recent International Cool Climate wine show. At $22 from the cellar door it offers pretty good value.

2008 Observatory Hill Chardonnay

This multi medal winning wine reflects the effort that Chris and Glenn have expended to bring chardonnay back to the tables of wine lovers. Their preference is for lightly oaked chardonnays because they believe this approach allows the grapes to speak for themselves.

The beauty about this wine is that it can be drunk on its own. If you like sitting back in your recliner and contemplating the world, or watching tele, this is the wine for you. For the dollar conscious amongst you the 08 chardonnay is also a pretty handy food wine.

Glenn believes that this wine is still a little young and would benefit from some time in your wine cellar. You will be parting with $26 per bottle if you buy from the cellar door.

2009 Observatory Hill Pinot

The detail people amongst you will be saying 'aha so much for the hold onto the wine for two years strategy!' and you'd be right. Well spotted. "It was difficult and ran against the grain" Glenn commented but admitted that commercial pressures has meant that this pinot has been released earlier than planned.

This is the second pinot we have tried, the 08 was the subject on one of our first road tests. Chris believes that the 09 is even better than the 08. "It's more complex .... it's one of the truest examples of a Tassie pinot".

We found it a very intense wine that had fruit and tannin layers that kept you interested throughout the tasting. However you can tell that it is a little young. The back end is more pronounced and grippy than in the 08. Having said that it is still a very drinkable wine. This pinot will set you back $29 at the cellar door.

2006 Observatory Hill Cabernet Merlot

This wine is 50% cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The decision to do this was dictated by the fact that the cabernet grapes were slightly under ripe and the merlot grapes were slightly over ripe so the combination resulted in a good balance.

The first smell was evocative of times past and the taste very satisfying. It is a very classy wine. Glenn was pleased we liked it because it's his favourite. The cab merlot is the same price as the pinot from the cellar door.

If you want to know more or order their wines head to their website 

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