Tumbarumba

The Tumbarumba region is the origin of many of Australia’s best sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Shire of Tumbarumba includes the towns of Khancoban and Tumbarumba, as well as such villages as Rosewood, Jingellic, Tooma, and Laurel Hill. Located in south-eastern NSW in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Tumbarumba is 525 km (or a 6 hour drive) south-west of Sydney, is much closer to such region centers as Cooma and Tumut, and is only a 2 hour drive from Canberra.

The name Tumbarumba is probably derived from the language of the Wiradjuri tribe who occupied much of the area. Though various meaning are given, including ‘very soft’, ‘hollow sounding ground’, ‘thunder’, or ‘place of big trees’. The community was established in the 1850s after gold was discovered in the district and workings continued there longer than in most areas, finally petering out only in the 1930s. Since then the district has depended on timber, agriculture and tourism.

Unlike so many regions, Tumbarumba had no 19^th century vineyards to boast of, with its first vines being planted in 1982 by Ian Cowell. Development was slow with only eight vineyards established by 1990. Today, however, there are more than 25 vineyards covering a total of almost 300 hectares, and at altitudes of up to 800 metres. The majority of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the region are used for sparkling wines with these making up some 75 percent of all vines, as the cool climate would lead you to expect.

The region, tucked into the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains, is surrounded by idyllic mountain peaks, natural bushland, lush agricultural pastures and expansive vineyards ranging from 300 to 800 metres in altitude. As part of the Australian Alps that includes Mount Kosciusko, Australia’s highest peak, Tumbarumba is the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular alpine scenery.

At these higher altitudes, cool sunlight allows the grapes retain their delicate flavours. Many sunshine hours, cold summer nights and a late growing season help balance the overall cold. Frost is always a problem and requires a careful choice of site, with north or northeast-facing slopes preferred, and those facing south impossible. It is also necessary to have a good slope that allows cold air to drain at night and so reduces the risk of frost.

With only two cellar doors in the region you don’t have to go far. Wineries include the Glenburnie Vineyard, which provides not just great wines but spectacular B & B style accommodation, nestled as it is amidst the surrounding mountains and only 4 kilometres from Tumbarumba. Planted with some 12 hectares of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir, you are able to enjoy some of the best typical cool country wines in the world.

Excelsior Peak is another winery worth the visit, established by Juliet Cullen, a pioneer of viticulture in Tumbarumba, The nine hectare vineyard is located 25km south west of Tumbarumba at an elevation of 600 metres with a north-west aspect, overlooking Carboona Gap. The Excelsior Peak 2000 Pinot Noir was chosen as one of the "Top 40" wines at the 2002 NSW Wine Awards, from over 600 entrants.

Food and wine events are the Snowy Mountains Regional Food Fair, in November, and Dine in the Vines and the Tumbafest, both in February. During Tumbafest, Tumbarumba town attracts some 4,500 people to enjoy the performances of soloists, choirs, cabaret, rock and country musicians. At the same time you can enjoy regional foods like blueberries, raspberries, apples, apple juice, beef and lamb.

There are also many local attractions, including the Kosciusko National Park, the Hume and Hovell Walking Track, the Pioneer Women’s Hut and Paddys River Falls. The Pioneer Women’s Hut is a museum dedicated to preserving domestic objects belonging to rural families, especially women. Most of its objects are able to be handled, and much work has gone into gathering the stories behind the articles. The museum has been run entirely by volunteers since it opened in 1985, and is located at Glenroy Heritage Reserve on the Wagga Road, 8kms from Tumbarumba.

Held in November each year, the Khancoban TroutFest is another attraction unique to the area; a week of fishing competitions in the charming Khancoban area’s various dams and rivers. For those seeking more active recreation there is also the Upper Murray Challenge, a gruelling race held in October for teams and individuals. Competitors cycle 38 km over forest trails, 4wd tracks and open paddocks in and around Khancoban, they then paddle 11 kms down the fast flowing Swampy Plains River to where it joins the Murray and then continue on for another 15 kms. Finally, the remaining runners relax as they complete the last 7 kms along a gently undulating dirt road.

The sunny slopes are perfect for ripening Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to create wines of intense flavour and complexity. Due to the colder climate of the region, the majority of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown here are used for making sparkling wine, however the recent dry conditions produced by drought have meant the production of delicious table wines from vineyards at the 800m and 900m levels.