Contentious Character is a contemporary estate with a winery, cellar door and restaurant tucked away in the hills of Wamboin (just 15 minutes from the Canberra airport).
Located at one of the region’s highest elevations, Wamboin’s contrasting sunny days and cold nights are perfect for cool-climate winemaking. The Contentious Character team produce elegant and nuanced wines (with cracking names).
The Contentious Character co-founders took over Lambert Vineyards in 2016 and since then winemaker Jeremy Wilson has championed a minimal intervention approach. Jeremy strives to create wines that are balanced, complex and display the fruit in all its glory.
Contentious Character offer wine tastings with food matching elements. For those looking to spend some time outside, try a Contentious Character gourmet picnic experience. The winery also host bespoke events such as cabaret dinners.
The cellar door and restaurant are open Thursday and Friday 11am-9pm, Friday to Monday 11am-5pm.
Here are five Contentious Character wines to try:
2021 Contentious Character Premium Pinot Gris
Aged 15 months in oak to provide a unique structure, this pinot gris displays flavours of Pink Lady apples with hints of toasted oats, nice upfront fruit and acidity providing a soft finish.Food pairing suggestion: Rich Comté cheese.
RRP $45 | Buy now
2022 Contentious Character Chardonnay – Chardy Party
Lemon aromas with subtle hints of apple, which come through and resonate with a wonderful full-fruit flavoured mouthfeel.Food pairing suggestion: Fresh seafood.
RRP $29 | Buy now
2022 Contentious Character Verdelho – Viva La Verdelho
Organically grown fruit from Cowra, this verdelho displays tropical fruit flavours with hints of passionfruit and lime, supported by good clean acidity for length.Food pairing suggestion: Barbecued seafood.
RRP $29 | Buy now
2022 Contentious Character Riesling – Give Me One Good Riesling
Displays lemon and lime aromas that come through and resonate in the middle of the palate with fresh zesty acidity.Food pairing suggestion: Carpaccio.
RRP $29 | Buy now
2021 Contentious Character Shiraz – Holy Shi*raz
Deep red and displaying a perfume of plum, cherry and black pepper, which carry through in the mouthfeel and taste via the support of balanced tannins.Food pairing suggestion: Roast lamb rump.
RRP $29 | Buy now
Contentious Character know you can't always be in Canberra, but they can come to you (with free shipping in Australia!). For a limited time, join the Contentious Character Wine Club and receive a complimentary $100 gift card (along with loyalty discounts on wine, dining and events).
For more information visit contentiouscharacter.com.au.
