5 Reasons To Watch Plonk Season 2

Aussies love to have a laugh.

The Aussie wine industry, even more so. 

Hence my barrel laughter when watching the first season of internet-only wine mockumentary Plonk last year.

Fast forward a year and thanks to the South Aus Tourism Commission, and some of the key winemaking families of South Aus, Plonk 2 is launched. 

Episode One premieres Thursday 18th June 2015 on STAN TV.

The SA Film Commission is housed in a stunning blue stone heritage building which used to be a mental health hospital.

 

 

Back in the day, it was called a “lunatic asylum”.

Spooky!

And very un-PC.

Perfect to set the tone for some un-PC wine comedy.

Picture this: a group of TV producers, actors and hangers-on sharing the trials and tribulations of making a show about wine. Add into the mix cameo’s from some of Australia’s wine personalities, ditto with foodies, at some of the most beautiful wineries this fine country offers, and you have PLONK.

 

 

Escorted through the former asylum, we came out in the modern atrium, with it’s own movie theatre.

 

 

Reason 1 to Watch Plonk Season 2: The Wine

First stop on the night, the Wine Selectors wine bar.

South Aus produces Australia’s best wine. Hands down. Grange, Hill of Grace, anyone?

Through the series, take a jovial peek into some of the finest wineries in the country and the characters that bring them to light. The people behind the wine are as interesting and diverse as the tasty drops they produce. Damn, and they can act! 

Self deprecating, poking fun at themselves and the foibles of the industry – love it!

 

 

My first tipple of the night:

Rymill Coonawarra Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier 2012

Well Looky Here

Almost apricot-yellow hue, with steady fine bead.

Sniff Sniff

Lemon blossom and brioche.

Sip Sip

Soft mouthfeel, citrus and toast flavours, gentle acid finish.

Gimme Gimme

$24.95 per bottle from Wine Selectors

 

 

Reason 2 to Watch Plonk Season 2: The Food

Hand in hand, food and wine go skipping through the vineyards.

I heard a rumour that Maggie “The Legend” Beer might make a cameo in the Barossa episode!

Guaranteed to get your tummy rumbling is the outstanding food of South Australia.

How about this, which we tried at the Plonk launch, Spencer Gulf prawns with avocado creme. 

 

 

Or perhaps the Angus Beef or Wild Mushroom & Woodside Chevre are more to your taste?

 

 

 

How about these Woodside Goat Chevre and Fig tarts? Here’s a hint: I ate three. They were that good. 

Plus I scored a lucky door prize yahoo! A preview of the Wine Selector’s “Plonk Pack” of 6 wines. Noice. 

 

Have a sweet tooth?

South Aus has you covered.

Menz Fru Chocs for one. Get amongst them.

How about Haigh’s Chocolate? Lets just say these choc dipped winter strawberries and raspberries really hit the spot. 

 

 

Reason 3 to Watch Plonk Season 2: The Hilarity

 

Put these guys in front of a camera and sparks, and spittle from guffawing, ensue.

I was “that person” in the viewing theatre laughing a little bit too hard so that red wine came shooting out my nose.

Class-y.

 

 

Reason 4 to Watch Plonk Season 2: The Legends

We’re blessed with wine legends in South Aussie. 

I only saw 2 episodes and it was a “who’s who” of the wine industry. 

Case in point: the Henschke’s.

 

And “Don’t Mention Mick Jagger” Taras & Amber Ochota with a cameo by their too-cute daughter.

 

 

Some locals feature too, like Lynne (left) who is an extra in the Clare Valley episode. 

Sadly, yours truly (right) hasn’t made it onto the silver screen. Next time, maybe!

 

 

 

 

Reason 5 to Watch Plonk Season 2: The Holiday

All of this food, wine, personalities and hilarity is bound to have you wanting to hop on the next train outta Sydney down to Khe Sahn…..I mean….. South Aussie!

You’ll see just a snippet of the different towns, landscapes, scenery, places to visit, places to stay and places to eat & drink on the show, there is much more to explore in person.

Of course, right here at Willunga Wino is a great place to start holiday planning, I’ve even split things up neatly at the top up there for you. 

 

 

Truly, it is hard not to be happy in South Aus with all this good food, wine, landscapes, characters and more. 

 

 

In case you don’t catch it through tears of laughter on the show, here are the places featured. 

 

EPISODE ONE: Adelaide Hills

Pike & Joyce Wines

Shaw & Smith PTY LTD

Lucy Margeaux Vineyards

Ochota Barrels

The Camelot Castle

 

EPISODE TWO: Clare Valley

Taylors Wines

Skillogalee

Sevenhill Cellars

Hop & Vine

Jim Barry Wines

Mad Bastard

Mintaro Maze

 

EPISODE TWO & THREE: Barossa Valley Wine Region

Seppeltsfield Winery

Chateau Tanunda

Barossa Farmers Market

Shobbrook Wines

Yalumba

St Hallett

Henschke Wines

Teusner Wines

Langmeil Winery

Brockenchack Wines

Charles Melton Wines

 

EPISODE FOUR: McLaren Vale

d’Arenberg Wine & Winery

Alpha Box & Dice

Samuel’s Gorge

Wirra Wirra Vineyards

The Currant Shed

McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments

 

EPISODE FIVE: Coonawarra

Majella Wines

Zema Estate

Brand’s Laira Coonawarra

Bellwether Wines

Mary Mac Killop Penola Centre

 

EPISODE SIX: Adelaide

Torrens Footbridge

Adelaide Riverbank Precinct

Adelaide Convention Centre – North Terrace

Parliament House

Captain Jolleys Paddle Boats

 

 

 

 

Bonus Reason to Watch Plonk Season 2: Generousity

 

South Aussie wine industry has a real generosity of spirit. 

Sharing of equipment, expertise and lending a hand is par for the course. 

So to our amazing local food and tourism businesses. 

This is demonstrated by the relaxed nature and free giving of time you will experience at cellar doors.

 

On the night of the Plonk Launch, I certainly experienced the generosity of all of the parties involved on the night. 

A gorgeous South Aussie gift bag was given to each attendee, inside I was delighted to find:

• South Aussie wine bottle shaped USB stick – this is going to find a lot of use!
• PLONK wine glass – can’t wait to put a fancy pants wine in here and then giggle at the irony!
• Lovely bottle of Shottesbrook Chardy from the Vale
• Haighs Chocolates
• Handy Dandy Plonk Tour Guide

 

 

 

My lucky door prize of a “Plonk Pack” from Wine selectors had six lovely wines from places where filming took place.

 

 

In the White corner we have:

• d’Arenberg “The Prickly Pear” McLaren Vale Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne; $25 Wine Selectors
• Sevenhill “Inigo” Clare Valley Riesling 2014, $22 Wine Selectors
• Wirra Wirra “Hiding Champion” Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014, $20 Wine Selectors

 

 

In the Red corner there is:

• Zema Estate Coonawarra Shiraz, Cab Sauv, Merlot 2013; Wine Selectors
• Brands Laira Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012; Wine Selectors
• Langmeil “Kegelbahn” Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011; Wine Selectors

 

So check out the trailer, fire up STAN TV, and get some Plonk – out your honk! 

 

 

Many thanks to Candice & the South Australian Tourism Commission for the invite, SA Film Corporation, the PLONK crew, Wine Selectors, Woodside Cheese Wrights and all the wineries. 

 

 

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