LUXURY LAUNCH FOR OATLEY RANGE

THE OATLEY family owns Hamilton Island and Robert Oatley Vineyards, so it made sense for the new-release Robert Oatley range to be launched at qualia - the ultra-luxe resort in the Whitsunday Islands. Lucky resort guests had the chance to sample dishes created by some of Australia's leading chefs at a dinner that also celebrated Vogue E+T magazine's annual Produce Awards. Around 60 guests enjoyed dishes from leading chefs including Matt Moran, Justin North and Alla Wolf Tasker, who combined to create a special six-course dinner menu.

The menu was accompanied by the launch wines from the new Robert Oatley Vineyards range: the 2008 Margaret River/Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Mudgee Chardonnay, 2007 Margaret River/Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and 2007 Frankland River/Mudgee Shiraz. Three of the new wines are a blend of two regions and two combine fruit from Western Australia with grapes from Mudgee. Robert Oatley Vineyards now has seven vineyards spanning a range of soil types, aspect and altitude in Mudgee and a further three partner vineyards in the west: at Pemberton, Frankland River and Margaret River. All four wines will retail for around $25 in Australia. The wine link extends even further, with qualia's luxury spa offering vine-based treatments including a Burgundy bath soak, vinotherapie body scrub, pinot noir mask and chardonnay massage.