Tales from the Vale

Today we are talking Leigh's longtime friend & Colleague Norm Doole. He is a Canadian, Merchant Banker, Vineyard & Winery owner, amongst a host of other things. He loves the good things in life; Travel, good food and wine and is also the proprietor of the legendary McLaren Vale Man cave.  

Tales from the Vale recorded this episode live from the Willunga Farmers Market to celebrate the 2014 Fleurieu Food Festival. We spoke with Nick Hutchinson from the Fleurieu Milk Co, local Chef and caterer Todd Steel and Catriona Byrne from Feather & Peck pasture raised eggs.
 

On this episode we are chatting with Fil Scarpantoni, who transformed the family Scarpantoni Estate winery into a great success, winning the famous Jimmy Watson Trophy amongst countless other awards over the past 30 years. He's happiest on a tractor or spending time with his family with a glass of wine in hand.

On this episode we talk with Andy Clappis. He was raised in and around restaurants that have shaped and influenced Adelaide's rich dining scene. He now bakes famous loaves of bread, raises sheep & cattle on his property in Willunga, has a commercial kitchen in his living room and opens the doors to "his place" week in and week out. 

For the first time we interview a couple, who returned to McLaren Vale to take over their small family owned winery and turned it into a bona fide cult success. and one half of this duo also became McLaren Vale's first Master of wine. We hope you enjoy the conversation we had with Drew & Raegan Noon of Noon wines.

On this episode we speak with probably the most experienced wine maker in McLaren Vale. With a long career in Australia and abroad he is universally regarded as one of the nicest people in the wine industry. Currently spending his time wine making, consulting and tending to his home garden, please welcome the legendary Mike Farmilo.

Our guest is a legendary butcher and according to Leigh, one of the funniest men to ever work behind a counter. Please enjoy our conversation with Jim Ellis as he sheds light on not just the history of Ellis Butchers, but the town of McLaren Vale itself.

The Vasarelli name is synonymous with Food, wine and our region. Today's guest is non-other than Vicky Vasarelli, affectionately known as "The Godmother" of viticulturists in and around McLaren Vale. 

This episode we sit down with Leon Bignell MP who gave up a career in journalism to work as a media advisor. Firstly for the federal labour party in 2001, & then for a South Australian government minister, before becoming our Mawson member for parliament in 2006. 

Todays guest on Tales from the Vale is the youthful CEO of Willunga's own Diana Olive Oil, Dom Scarfo.