Michaela's Madcap Mosaics is the creation of the original mosaic garden art and sculpture. Michaela is a self taught artist who utilises materials that she has a passion for sourcing such as recycled and found objects, divine glass, tesserae, pebbles, stone, millefori, gem stones, ceramics, crockery, metal, brass, mirror and shells. Hand painted beads from a New Zealand artist are also added to her art.
Creativity has always been a part of Michaela's life though interests in drawing, photography and music. Her qualifications in Horticulture and moving to a property in Murrumbateman five years ago, led her to transform a bare hill side into a sculptured rock garden that is full of mosaic creations. There is an orchard, a vegetable and herb garden, a tea garden and various garden rooms. It is through her passion for gardening that her love of mosaic developed organically as a way to complement the surrounding flora and fauna.
Her distinctive mosaics come from her talent to see an object's creative potential and transform it into a beautiful piece of garden art. She loves to involve her children in her art and has created beautiful murals with their enthusiastic helping hands and drawings. Her most precious commodity is time.
Michaela's creations are on display at Yarrh for the month of February. Most art pieces are for sale.
Last Updated ( Monday, 08 February 2010 )
Across the Simpson
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Escaping the cold (and the pruning) for a couple of weeks, my brother Paul and I set off for an adventure across the Simpson Desert in early August. While its not an uncommon trek for 4-wheel drivers these days, its still a journey requiring care and planning, and at least two vehicles. We chose a "tagalong" tour with Peter Kneen - the "4WDGuy" (http://www.4wdtrips.com.au/). Peter provides planning, advice, guidance, inter-vehicle communications, a nerve soothing satellite phone and great company around a camp fire!
While the journey to and from the Desert re-opened my eyes to just how much of this country is flat and semi-arid (but quite green at the moment), the Desert itself was no doubt the highlight of the trip. 500 kms sounds easy (right?) but the 1100 sand dunes you cross on the way slows you down to about 100-150 kms a day. Very flat tyres and slow but steady progress is the way to go, and never lose your momentum. The driving challenge is part of the enjoyment but even more so is the sense of isolation, the feeling of being a very small dot in a sea of dunes, and the incredible, ever-changing colours and textures. Even in winter temperatures were over 30 degrees, so it's hard to imagine what it must be like in the middle of summer (the Desert is now closed from December to March).
Unfortunately a small mechanical problem (blown airbag in rear suspension - can't think what caused that!) kept us on our toes for the last part of the crossing, but we managed to hobble into Coober Pedy where the legendary (to us anyhow) Dave of Dusty's Mechanical Repairs had us back up to the Oodnadatta Track the next day. Back through the Flinders and we were home. I now have the official "I Crossed the Desert" sticker on the back of my Land Rover, as does my brother on the back of his Corolla up in Sydney! Oh well, back to the pruning...
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 August 2009 )
Yarrh Wines and Helen Maxwell Gallery
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
We are really pleased to announce our partnership with the Helen Maxwell Gallery, located on the first floor of a renovated 1960's building in Braddon. The large open space, with high ceilings and natural light is a great space for exhibitions showcasing the contemporary art from Australia and the Pacific.
From April 3, Yarrh Wines will be served exclusively at each opening. If you would like an invitation to the openings, please let us know and we will send one through.
From now until June 6th you can see works by Dennis Nona and Lyn Gascoine. For more information please go to the website at www.helenmaxwell.com. You really should try and get along to see it before it closes and moves on.
Review for the 2008 Sangiovese
Sunday, 10 May 2009
We recently received this great review for our 2008 Sangiovese:
"Another impressive red from the Canberra District. The back label calls it light bodied but I'm not sure ...
"It seems at least medium-bodied to me. It's full of interest too. It tastes coffeed and briary, dark cherried and tarry, a slash of chocolatey oak working well with the general savouriness of the wine. It finishes clean and tannic and strong. The alcohol is warming but this is good booze."
The limited release 2008 Yarrh Wines Sangiovese is available from the Cellar Door for $25 per bottle.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 May 2009 )
In the Vineyard
Monday, 05 January 2009
We’ve had a wet spring and early summer, with above average rainfall, usually in weekly/fortnightly big drops. The vines are looking fantastic as a result, with big canopies and plenty of well formed bunches. We now need to be careful of mildews (canopy management and fungicide sprays) and keep a careful eye on the fruit load. Earlier in the season we did some shoot thinning, and at the moment we’re taking out bunches in the Sangiovese and the Pinot Noir, both of which will overcrop if allowed, particular in such a good season. Lets hope we miss any hail that might be around. Next big job – deploying nets to keep the pesky birds at bay…
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