Helm Wines

15/20

19 Butts Road, Murrumbateman NSW 2582 Australia

Open 10am-5pm Thursday - Monday
Cards MC,V,AE

Tasting bench

The Verdict

To "Cellarbrate": Friendly cellar door team, charming historical setting, nice place for a picnic on a sunny day

To "Wine about": Nothing

How many bottles did we buy: 6

Suitable for: Couples, wine lovers and small groups

Visited February 2014 and August 2016 (weekday)

Getting There

Country

State/Province

Region

Accessibility

Australia

New South Wales

Canberra District

Located about 40 minutes north of Canberra in Murrumbateman, access is mostly via a paved road with the last c.900 metres, including the driveway, being gravel

Upon Arrival

Parking

Setting

Commercial/Boutique

Ambiance

Airconditioning/Fireplace

There is ample gravel parking

The cellar door is inside a cute old public school house with a nice little verandah. There are also picnic tables and chairs situated around the cellar door under the large pine trees and looking over the vineyards

Commercial

The tasting room is quite small and whilst maintaining many of it's original features has also been refurbished. The old wood stove provides some warmth on a cool day and adds to the cosy atmosphere

Yes/Yes

Tasting Experience

Number of wines on tasting

Particular wines or varietals known for

Wait time

Knowledge of wines

Staff attitude

Winery Tour Offered

Tasting seating available at counter

Tasting sheet/order form provided for notes

10+

Reisling and Cabernet Sauvignon

There was no wait time on either of our visits even though there isn't someone permanently at the cellar door, with a ringer at the front gate notifying the team when someone is arriving (so if you arrive and no-ne is there, they won't be far away!)

We were taken through our tasting by the owner and winemaker. He obviously had an excellent knowledge of the wines and was generous in sharing his knowledge of the wine industry, which was much appreciated

Friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable, we had a nice chat

Yes, for groups on weekend mornings, by appointment only

There were no chairs in the tasting room, but if the weather is nice sometimes tasting are conducted at the chairs and tables outside

There was an order form provided and there are laminated tasting notes in a booklet on the tasting bench

Food Offering

Yes/No

Restaurant/Café/Tasting platter

N/A

Hip Pocket

Price range of wines

Tasting Fee

Refundable on purchase?

Tour Fee

Delivery cost per dozen

Club Membership with Discounts etc

$28-$52

Free, $5 for groups over 8

Yes

$10 per person

$0-$40

Yes, receive museum release wines for the price of current release for the commitment to purchase 1-2 dozen per year

Other features, facilities and offerings

Gift Shop

Toys/play area for kids

Dog friendly

By the way...

No, but they are able to run around outside and see the alpacas and sheep

Yes, outside only

This cellar door is really nice and we have now visited in both summer and winter. Winter was cosy with the fire and in summer we were able to have a picnic in a nice spot on the tables behind the cellar door

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