Chelsea Social aiming to kick goals in Perth

Perth has a new all day and night dining and drinking spot as of April 1 - and that's no joke.

Housed inside the refurbed ibis Hotel in the centre of the West Australian capital, Chelsea Social "is set to be the city’s premier destination for work and play".

Well, that's what the media release says.

Expect "punchy colours, playful finishes and a London-meets-Perth attitude: this vibrant venue brings something completely new to the city’s dining and social scene".

Open from 6:30am until late, seven days a week, Chelsea Social will be serving up UK-inspired classics with a modern twist.

There will be hearty breakfasts, an all-day dining menu and share platters.



There will also be cocktails, wines and pub favourites, allegedly all with some Chelsea style - the suburb not the football team.

With room for up to 150 guests, Chelsea Social has three distinct spaces: Chelsea Dining Hall, Chelsea Bar, and Chelsea Events.

Open to hotel guests and the public, Chelsea Social will offer a Friday morning breakfast "rave" every week. That means they'll have a DJ. 

"Chelsea Social is designed to be more than just a venue - it's an experience," says hotel manager Sandy Lombardi.

“We’ve created a space that captures the essence of Chelsea London’s refined elegance - where the world’s most coveted brands like Gucci, Chanel, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co are just steps away -beautifully fused with the relaxed charm of Perth to deliver an unparalleled atmosphere in the heart of the CBD."

To mark the official opening, Chelsea Social invites the public to celebrate on Friday morning, April 11, when guests will be treated to free Chelsea Buns throughout the morning while a live DJ spins feel-good tunes.

Let's hope it's not a bunfight.

Ibis Perth, 334 Murray Street, Perth https://all.accor.com/hotel/1773/index.en.shtml

Mini "goon bags" offer a serious wine alternative

"It's a mini goon bag," said Jamie, one of the young servers, when I took a Greenskin wine pouch into one of my local cafés for a tasting this week.

He was right - and wrong.

The quality of wine going into the Greenskin pouches has never been better. Two new releases; a 2024 Chardonnay and 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Western Australia are a case in point.

The sauvignon blanc is made by Japo Dalli Cani at leading Margaret River winery McHenry Hohnen, while the chardonnay is crafted by Gavin Berry at West Cape Howe in the Great Southern.

Two impressive vibrant and juicy whites for enjoying in their youth: and prices start from $106.50 for a six-pack.

Both would be ideal for enjoying chilled at a picnic, on the beach, out on the water, at a party or a sports event. The quality, I think you''ll find, is just as good as you'd find in $30 bottles.

I predict that recyclable pouches will be all the rage this year, along with half bottles and wine in cans. There is a new wine brand called Half Sister making wines only in 375mL bottles.

Convenience is everything and Greenskin offers premium wine in a 100% recylable format.

Here is their spiel: "Tired of lugging heavy, breakable glass bottles on your adventures? Are you frustrated with how long they take to chill or the hassle of disposing of them afterwards?

"We’ve reinvented the way you enjoy premium wine with our nifty 750ml, fully recyclable pouches.

"As experienced winemakers and wine packaging specialists, we hand-select premium Australian wines from renowned wineries and package them in a lightweight, unbreakable pouch.

"Forget those cringe-worthy “goon-bag” memories; this is all about enjoying premium quality wine in a convenient, sustainable package."

Some facts: pouches take 80% less energy to produce than glass; use fewer emissions in transport and are part of a free recycling program.

Co-founder Mike Davies reports: "Sales are significantly up over the past year, which is encouraging for the concept."

If you are keen to try medley packages offer whites, reds, rosés or a mix, you can place orders online. Apply the promo code MEDLEY10 to receive 10% off.

See https://greenskinwine.com/

Where to snuffle out some truffle goodness

So you have a yen for truffles?


From truffle-themed wine-matched lunches to hands-on truffle hunts, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia is showcasing several ways to unearth the magic of truffles and wine this winter.

Truffle Lunch Series at Pt. Leo Estate

Mornington Peninsula's Pt. Leo Estate is hosting a series of truffle-themed lunches at its two-hatted restaurant, Laura, in conjunction with local producers Red Hill Truffles. The day kicks off with a cooking demonstration by culinary director Josep Espuga followed by a four-course menu with dishes enriched by truffles. On August 25, the Luxe Truffle Lunch is where guests get to meet the owners of Red Hill Truffles and their truffle hunting dogs before sitting down to a seven-course truffle-centric menu with wine pairings available. Dates: July 19, August 11, August 25. Cost: $225-$380 per person.

Oak Valley Truffle Menu and Chef’s Table Lunch at Leeuwin Estate

The Manjimup region of Western Australia is known for its high-quality truffles, and Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River has collaborated with Oak Valley Truffles to offer a month-long, six-course truffle-themed menu at the winery restaurant. The Oak Valley Truffle Lunch menu is available for the month of July, and features dishes like Jerusalem artichoke with truffle, chestnut fazzoletti, egg yolk and roasted onion, paired with current and museum release wines. On July 27, head chef Dan Gedge will present a Chef’s Table Truffle Lunch with five truffle courses and co-owner Simone Furlong will share stories on the wines. Dates: Throughout July (truffle menu) and July 27 (Chef’s Table lunch event). Cost: $250-$260.

Red Hill Truffle Weekend at Montalto Estate

Leading Mornington Peninsula wine producer Montalto Estate is partnering with Red Hill Truffles on July 20-21 for a "decadent truffle extravaganza", with a set menu showcasing Red Hill truffles, or the option to add shaved truffle to dishes served in the Piazza. On Sunday, July 21, guests can book in for an interactive truffle hunt and get their hands dirty digging for truffles alongside truffle hunting dogs Thomas and Maddie. The experience concludes with a five-course truffle-inspired lunch, starring the truffles unearthed on the morning’s hunt. Dates: July 20-21. Cost: $125-$269.

Festa Tartufo at Josef Chromy Wines

Tasmania’s chilly climate and rich soil has proved ideal for growing truffles, which is why Festa Tartufo - or Truffle Festival - is returning to Josef Chromy Wines at Relbia, outside Launceston. A five-course dinner will see executive chef Nick Raitt reveal the nuances of truffles with dishes matched to winemaker Ockie Myburgh's cool-climate wines. Date: August 2. Cost: $160.

Truffle Dinners at Mandoon Estate

Mandoon Estate in the Swan Valley will be taking guests on a culinary journey in August, with two truffle-inspired dinner events. Matched Mandoon Estate wines from both Margaret River and the Swan Valley will be available to enhance the flavour of dishes starring West Australian ingredients like Stirling Ranges beef short rib and Abrolhos sea scallops (with a generous dose of truffle). Dates: August 9 and 16. Cost: $125.

For details see: https://www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au/

Subiaco celebrates Italy over 10 days

Get even more of a taste of Italy at the annual Subi Spritz festival at Subiaco in Perth from March 8-17. 

Think negronis, cannoli, burrata and pizzas over 10 days that aim to re-create the atmosphere of the Med. 

Subiaco's streets will become a hub for events that celebrate all the best elements of Europe including pop-up al fresco restaurants in parklands, daily aperitivo hour, Italo disco-themed DJ sets, a cinema under the stars and deep dives into European wine and food at hands-on workshops.

AHOY Management joint director Brianna Delaporte said the 2024 festival would be the biggest yet, with more than 25 European-themed events across the 10 days.

'Many festival favourites are making a comeback like the Long, Long Lunch where we build a pop-up restaurant in Subiaco Theatre Gardens and invite four WA chefs to come play, as well as the Conti Roll Contest which sees conti roll creators from across Perth battle it out to be crowned conti roll champions,' she said.

'We're so excited to bring a brand-new concept to the festival this year called Pasta Lane, which will see three of Subiaco's laneways transformed into al fresco dining hotspots, serving up delicious meals in the style of a traditional Italian streetside trattoria.

'We also welcome back many of Subiaco's standout venues including Juanitas, Bar Amelie, 4Sisters Paint and Sip, Dilly Dally, Bark, Lums, Refuge and Lady of Ro, as well as welcoming newcomers Bar Banter, Subi Continental and Storehouse.

City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said: “Subi Spritz is our iconic event showcasing Subiaco food and beverage experiences to the whole of Perth. 

“It not only draws visitors to the City of Subiaco during the festival, it keeps them coming back all year round once they discover what our fantastic venues have to offer.”

Visit www.subispritz.com.au for more info. 

Cherubino swoops to buy new wine facility

Leading West Australian winemaker Cherubino Wines has today announce the acquisition of Margaret River Winemakers, a winery and spirits brand located on Bussell Highway, 14 kilometres from Margaret River township.

The purchase includes a 2000-tonne facility with warehousing, distillation capacity, and cellar door.

As part of the deal, the spirits brand [Three Lily's] will be rebranded with a focus on utilising Cherubino’s vineyards and fruit resources to create regional and beginning-to-end estate spirits and a produce farm shop, which will complement the existing Cherubino cellar door and Frui Momento restaurant and Enoteca located on Caves Road, Wilyabrup.

Larry Cherubino and his wife Edwina, the founders of Cherubino, have been planning an acquisition for over 20 years and are excited to integrate the Margaret River Winemakers’ assets into their business.

The current wine facility and equipment will be moved to the new facility over the next 12 months, enabling the Cherubinos to expand.

“We are committed to a long-term approach to winemaking, and this acquisition represents an incredible opportunity for us to establish the brand not only in terms of supply but will greatly support our production and marketing capabilities” said Larry Cherubino (pictured).

“Cherubino’s newly appointed distribution partner in the UK, Hatch Mansfield, Oatley Fine Wine Merchants in Australia, and our many partners and customers around the world have allowed us to make this important step with confidence and we look forward to sharing more details of the project soon.”

Brewery paints a pretty picture

Shelter Brewing Co in Western Australia has commissioned renowned local artist Ian Daniell to paint the biggest indoor mural in the south west region.

 
Daniell, known for painting life-sized ocean life, is currently working on a 200-square-metre mural of a breaching humpback whale on the walls of Shelter’s second floor lab and office.

The mural, Breach, will be completed during the ninth annual Margaret River Region Open Studios, to be held from September 10-25.

Daniell said that he was thrilled to collaborate with Shelter and pay homage to the humpback whale.

“Fun fact - the humpback whale has the largest appendage - as in arms and legs, and in their case, flippers - in the animal kingdom, so it’s great to have a wall big enough to paint a life-sized version,” said British-born Daniell.

“With humpback whales being protected, we’re seeing more of them during migrations, you could say the humpback is making a comeback, and this mural is a colourful celebration of that.

“The backflip breach position of the humpback is true to what you’d see if you’re out on a boat or whale watching from shore.”

Shelter is a sponsor of Margaret River Region Open Studios, the largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere. It enables everyone to access art as artists open their home studios inviting art lovers in to chat about art, see their work, and/or see them at work.

“Our partnership with Margaret River Region Open Studios is Shelter’s biggest collaboration to date in terms of investment,” said Paul Maley, general manager of Shelter.

“We’ve increased the space of the office and brew lab wall to accommodate Ian’s mural and we love what he’s doing - it’ll be a talking point, as all good art is, and add colour to an otherwise white wall.”

Get an early peek at the mural at Shelter Brewing Co, on the Busselton Foreshore.

Shelter brews six beers: Summer Sour, India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Extra Pale Ale, Lager, Red Ale and a cider, along with seasonal brews (current season beer is the Bonfire Stout).

Image: LewisFrench

Fremantle ups the ante

Fremantle in Western Australia has launched a new marketing campaign designed to draw visitors back to the port city now interstate and international borders have reopened.

The new campaign, by Fremantle-based creative agency &Partners and media agency Match & Wood, builds on the This Is Fremantle brand by showcasing the diversity of the city and highlighting the many new attractions that have opened over the past few years.

&Partners Creative Director Dav Tabeshfar said the campaign featured locals, visitors and business owners claiming that their Freo is the real Freo.

“If you ask 10 different people what Fremantle is, you'll get eleven different answers. We know. We tried,” Tabeshfar said.

“Then we spent many days sitting in cafes, arguing about the essence of Fremantle.

“We realised the argument was the idea. Rather than compromise to make peace, we proposed Fremantle should embrace the diversity of opinion and air the friendly banter in public.”

The new campaign includes two new videos, supported by photographs and editorial content, which will be distributed through YouTube, social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, sponsored articles on lifestyle websites, streaming services SBS on Demand and 10play and digital billboards and display ads around Perth.

In partnership with Destination Perth, This Is Fremantle promotions will also be featured in Jetstar aircraft and included with Jetstar customer emails.

City of Fremantle Acting Director of City Business Matt Hammond said he was excited to be launching one of the City's largest marketing campaigns to promote the destination.

“We're especially pleased this campaign has been created by local creative agency &Partners using entirely local talent,” Hammond said.

“The campaign comes at a time when our business community welcomes back, after a two-year hiatus, international and interstate visitors arriving in Western Australia to visit family and friends.

“Fremantle has always been a special place for entertaining guests, and there are now so many more reasons to make a return visit to our port city to rediscover old favourites and find new ones.”

To view the new campaign videos and find out more visit https://visitfremantle.com.au/article/campaign 

New Howard Park wine range aims to aid the environment

With sustainability all the rage - and Earth Day being celebrated today - Howard Park Wines has released a new exclusive collection; Arbor Novae, and a partnership with environmental charity Carbon Positive Australia. 

The new range is available from today, initially exclusively to the West Australian winery’s Wine Club members.

The Arbor Novae range is designed to showcase terroir through regional characters in the glass, but also through active reinvestment back into the land.

For every bottle of Arbor Novae sold, $1.50 will be donated to Carbon Positive Australia. This initiative will help support local tree planting and landscape restoration for a carbon positive future.

Founded in Western Australia, Carbon Positive has restored degraded lands Australia-wide through ecologically sensitive planting for over 20 years. Through its work, the charity has planted six million trees and captured 665,921 tonnes of carbon.

“This is about legacy and integrity -  the Burch family is determined to leave the land they source from in a better state, a more sustainable state, for future generations,” says Howard Park chief viticulturist David Botting.

“The partnership with Carbon Positive allows us to extend our legacy beyond the fences of our vineyard and in doing so, helps secure a more sustainable future for all. Arbor Novae represents one new pillar of our sustainability ethos here at Howard Park and allows wine club members to enjoy unique and carefully crafted wines that reflect varietal diversity and vineyard character, whilst directly contributing to restoring our natural landscapes.”

The name Arbor Novae means “new trees” in Latin and the Arbor Novae labels display original paintings by Fremantle artist Andy Quilty featuring abstract tree forms. 

The range features a 2019 Margaret River Chardonnay (RRP $35), 2020 Pinot Gris (RRP $30) from the Mount Barrow vineyard in Mount Barker, a 2020 regional grenache shiraz blend (RRP $30) and a2021 Old Vine Riesling (RRP $30) from the Gibraltar Rock vineyard in Porongurup.

See this link for full details www.howardparkwines.com.au/discover-wines/arbor-novae

Brewing up a storm on the Fremantle waterfront

After being isolated from the rest of the world, Western Australia has welcomed its first international and interstate arrivals. 

The border opening allows for safe travel into the state from interstate and overseas, with vaccination and testing requirements on arrival, pending the latest health advice.

Visitors can now check out the new Gage Road Brewing facility in hip and happening Fremantle, the port city just south of Perth. 

The new venue opened last month in the historic A Shed building at Fremantle's Victoria Quay. 

Built in 1926, the 100-metre-long dockside cargo shed at the entrance to the harbour has been transformed into a brewery, restaurant, bar and family-friendly venue – with much of the shed's heritage still retained throughout. 

Located right on the Walyalup Waterfront, the venue also includes a 100-metre strip of alfresco seating overlooking the ocean between Fremantle and Rottnest Island, from which Gage Roads took its name, plus a children's play area. 

Guests can sample the full range of Gage Roads beers on tap, poured direct from 16 different tanks, along with a rotating list of brewery-only exclusive brews. 

Executive chef Danny Sanchez is serving up small bites and share plates inspired by the sea featuring local produce, as well as woodfired pizzas. 

The brewery is part of Fremantle's Victoria Quay revitalisation project - which looks to develop the port precinct into a major tourism and recreation space.

Truffles make a gourmet mark in Australia

While it is hard to match the fresh, pungent - and hugely expensive - truffles found in France and Italy, an increasing number of Australian producers are enjoying success with domestic truffle products and spin-offs. 

Truffle Hill at Manjimup in Western Australia is one of the longest-established truffle producers in Australia with a popular tourism offering as well as a range of gourmet products. 

It was Australia's first successful commercial truffle farm, not surprising as the climate in Manjimup is similar to Perigord, with wet winters and warm summers, which produce the most flavoursome truffles.

     

Truffle Hill (formerly known Truffle and Wine Co.) and was also the first Australian truffle company to export fresh black Périgord truffles to the global culinary stage, opening up the Australian truffle season into Europe, Asia and the Americas. 

The Manjimup region is the heart of Australia’s fresh truffle industry and provides chefs with Australian products at times of the year European offerings are not available. 

The range now extends beyond fresh truffles to gourmet truffle products, which were created so that the joy and rich aromas and flavours of truffles can be savoured and shared all year round, not only during truffle season.

Over the past couple of weeks I have tried the Truffle Hill truffle risotto, an intense and authentically Italian-tasting rice dish that my wife paired brilliantly with crayfish and lamb kidneys (above); and the Truffle Hill hot sauce, which gave a new dimension and lift to the humble sausage rolls from my local bakery. 

For details on both the Truffle Mushroom Risotto and Truffle Hot Sauce can be found by clicking on the links.

Truffle Hill dates back 25 years and was Australia’s first true commercial truffière.

Surrounded by vineyards, orchards and rolling hills, the produces not only truffles, but also wines. 

If you are visiting the region then you might want to book for a truffle hunting experience to discover how truffles grow and find mature truffles that are ready for harvesting.

Fresh truffles are for sale from June to August each year, while condiments, oils, gift packs and more are available all year round. 

Two lucky Gourmet on the Road readers won samples of the goodies. They are V. Jaynes of Queensland and D.Reardon of Tasmania. 

Fremantle blooms as summer approaches

The West Australian port city of Fremantle is coming alive as summer approaches. 

First, Rottnest Fast Ferries has launched a whale-watching experience from Fremantle: Whale Watching Perth, a selection of new whale-watching experiences. 

The two-hour cruises set off from Sardine Jetty at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. 

The new tours feature live commentary and education by marine scientists from The Aquarium of Western Australia on a state-of-the-art Voyager vessel fitted with air-conditioning, expansive viewing platforms, hydrophones and licensed bar facilities. 

The Whale Watching Perth experience offers visitors prime viewing of the annual southern migration of Humpback, Southern Right and rare Pygmy Blue whales. Tours operate until December. For more information about the tour visit the website.

Also new in Fremantle is Varsity Burgers is the first venue to open its doors at the new FOMO precinct, the heart of the Kings Square redevelopment. 

The 600-person capacity sports bar and restaurant shines a light on local skate culture, with the space featuring murals, a mini skate ramp, and painted skate decks by a range of artists. 

The burger chain also spotlights local brews, with over 40 locally supplied beers on tap. Additional vegan and gluten-free menu items are available, alongside the traditional Varsity favourites.

The Fremantle Biennale, meanwhile, is a unique and contemporary visual arts event featuring installations across the city. 

A celebration of Fremantle's rich cultural heritage and history, the third edition of the event -  CROSSING 21 - will run for three weeks from November 2-21. 

The program will feature contemporary works by both established and emerging local artists. The headline event Moombaki (where the river meets the sky) is a unique Noongar storytelling project with a choreographed drone light show, consisting of a fleet of 150 drones equipped with LED lights programmed to reveal and highlight the Swan River as a living and significant place deeply connected to the Whadjuk Noongar people. 

Presented as a series of connected stories or chapters, these brief shows will take place at three different sites along the Swan River. The full program of events is available to view online. 

 

A West Australian gourmet destination you must not miss

Combine 180 years of history, fine wines and food and beautiful riverside gardens and you have a "must visit" destination in the Swan Valley, just a short drive from downtown Perth.

Sandalford Wines, one of the founding wineries in Western Australia, is now also one of its major gourmet tourism drawcards.

Sandalford’s establishing estate at Caversham, Swan Valley, had its genesis in 1840 and coincided with European settlement in the burgeoning colony of Perth.

Queen Victoria granted John Septimus Roe, Western Australia’s first surveyor general, 4,000 acres of land on the riverbanks at West Swan in honour of his 57 years of service to the Commonwealth.

He named the property Sandalford after a priory in Berkshire, England - his original home.

Sandalford became the Swan Valley’s pioneering agrarian estate with crops, cattle grazing, vegetables and extensive vineyards and fruit orchards.

The Roe family purchased a 300-hectare property at Wilyabrup in Margaret River, planted vines in 1970, and joined a handful of others in pioneering Western Australia’s second classic wine region.

In the 1990s, the business was sold to the Prendiville family, who have continued to build on tradition.

Opened earlier this year, the new Sandalford Bar and Restaurant is open for lunch, Monday to Sunday from 11:30am, and for drinks and dinner on Friday to Sunday evenings until late.

Featuring an open kitchen and a wood-fired Sicilian pizza oven, the facility offers a selection of wine from Sandalford's Swan Valley and Margaret River portfolios.

CEO Grant Brinklow said the total spent on the enhancements, which were completed during the property’s Covid-19 closure, was in excess of $3.5 million.

Executive chef Alan Spagnolo, a vastly experienced pan-handler, heads the kitchen team and was in top form during our recent visit.

The vibe is less formal than it used to be; but the food remains seriously good with dishes incorporating fresh regional produce.

Standout vegetarian dishes include Gin Gin paprika cotolette with coal roasted chilli tomato aioli; or maybe try Dardanup lamb rump, char-grilled medium, with roasted eggplant, carrot, feta and date relish.

All menus feature an abundance of local Western Australian seafood. 

Two standouts for me were Abrolhos Islands char-grilled octopus, orange, basil, purslane and pink peppercorn dressing (above) and the shellfish risotto (below) with lobster, local prawns, scallops, tomato, basil and Aleppo pepper.

There are several activities on offer. First, you can travel to Sandalford Estate by river boat.

Cruise into the upper reaches of the Swan as you sample wines before disembarking at Sandalford Estate’s private jetty for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, video presentation and Flight of Wines wine tasting.

A gourmet two-course lunch is presented on-site before a dessert buffet and afternoon tea is served back on board the vessel.

Alternatively, a one-hour Sandalford Experience tour and tasting is priced at $25 per person and operates daily at noon. Bookings are essential.

Or, perhaps you'd prefer to create your own wine blend.

First you participate in a winery tour, learning about the winemaking process up to the blending stage. Then, you’ll put your knowledge to the test, creating your own original blend of wine, which can be enjoyed over a meal.

This three-hour experience is priced at $145 per person and operates every Saturday at noon.

During summer, Covid permitting, Sandalford regularly hosts concerts featuring the likes of Neil Diamond and Jimmy Barnes. It is also a popular wedding and conference venue. 

# Sandalford Wines has recently welcomed wine industry veteran Ross Pamment (above) as its senior winemaker while Hope Metcalf is on maternity leave. He will oversee both Swan Valley and Margaret River operations.

For details and experiences visit www.sandalford.com/  

So you enjoy your rieslings with a few years of age?

The Howard Park rieslings from West Australia are renowned for benefitting from a few years in the cellar. 

Good news for lazy wine lovers is that the Burch family - owners of Howard Park - are prepared to do the cellaring for you. 

Howard Park Wines has just unveiled the eighth riesling release in its Museum Series, re-releasing the 2014 Mount Barker Riesling.

The Mount Barker and Porongurup sub-regions of Western Australia’s Great Southern experienced warm to hot conditions throughout the entire vintage period but ocean breezes helped the vines. 

In the making of this wine, each vineyard block is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. The free-run juice is racked before a long and cold fermentation to preserve character and fruit flavours. Blending occurs in June of the vintage year. 

In a nod to Howard Park's history, the label design for the 2014 Museum Release Riesling commemorates the inaugural 1986 Riesling with original artwork created by the late artist Denise Bowen, mother to now Howard Park Wines chief winemaker Nic Bowen.

The artwork draws inspiration from the Great Southern landscape with a colourful depiction of the Marri and Karri trees, which are unique to the region.

“A tasting of this wine seven years ago showed the wet slate notes that are so typical of the Great Southern region. Over time, the notes of lemon and lime have softened, giving way to secondary flavours such as praline and brioche,” said Howard Park Wines director of winemaking Janice McDonald. 

“As our Museum Series has shown in the past, it will continue to age, grow and evolve the longer that it’s cellared. It is a wine that sits beautifully amongst the line-up of museum releases and we’re proud to celebrate this release with Denise Bowen’s beautiful artwork.”

The Museum Series offers an opportunity to get a taste of rare back vintage wines without the difficulty of storing the wines for future enjoyment.

The Howard Park Museum Release Riesling 2014 (RRP $41) is now available to members of the Howard Park Wine Club before being released to the public in late 2021.

See www.howardparkwines.com.au

Five-star hotel delivers six-star experience

When a hotel has been named the best in the country multiple times, that creates an expectation of excellence among guests. 

COMO The Treasury - named best city hotel in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific for 2020 by Travel + Leisure magazine - not only lives up to expectations but exceeds them. 

During my career I have been lucky enough to stay in a range of global hotel icons including The Ritz in London, the Meurice in Paris, Amandari in Bali, and the Palace of the Lost City in South Africa. 

COMO The Treasury is in the same class - both when it comes to facilities and to service. 

Even though you are in a five-star environment - someone to park your car, someone else to whisk away your bags, a check-in lounge rather than a desk - the vibe is effortlessly courteous. The staff here are slick and helpful without the slightest hint of condescension.

Opened six years ago - and named best hotel in Australia and New Zealand by Conde Nast Traveler in 2017 - the luxury urban hotel has a charming Victorian-era façade on Cathedral Square in the centre of Perth city core. It remains on the Conde Nast Gold List.

There are just 48 large rooms and suites: all with a definite boutique buzz. 

"We pride ourselves in offering unparalleled luxury service and a bespoke cultural experience from the moment our guests arrive," says general manager Jesse Tibert "It is with the help of our attentive staff that COMO The Treasury rises to the top.”

The rooms (all different) are impeccably equipped. Think Egyptian cotton, super-comfy beds, air-con, a complimentary in-room bar replenished daily (thanks for the delicious cashews), private safe, multimedia hub, USB charging points, free wifi, Illy coffee machine, electronic blinds and super-modern bathrooms with heated towel rails, bathrobes, and slippers.

There was no iron and ironing board, but a phone call saw them arrive quick smart. 

This is a serious five-star property so there is a 24-hour reception, concierge and daily housekeeping and turndown service (a rarity nowadays). Complimentary fruit and water are delivered daily (no nickel and diming here).

The historic 19th-century Treasury is part of a building that is now a gourmet hub but that sat empty for more than 20 years before being completely reimagined. 

There are two restaurants - Wildflower (above) and Post with chef Kim Brennan in charge - within the hotel, a bar and a spa offering COMO Shambhala wellness therapies. There is a heated indoor pool, gym and a personal trainer on hand should you want or need one. 

My wine tasting appointment meant I had to miss out on an Indian head massage (below).

Super-knowledgeable Emma Farrelly oversees not only the wine lists in house, but also the wine program for Petition, Poole’s Temple and Petition Wine Bar and Merchant, which are among the several wining and dining options within the State Buildings complex. 

Beer Corner, Telegram Coffee, The Honeycake and Long Chim are other choices, depending on your mood.

Thanks, Emma, for introducing me to new Western Australian wine names including Trait, Dormilona and Vino Volta, but the lists also include favourites including Barolo and Bourgogne. 

Dinner at Wildflower (overlooking the city) is a memorable modern Australian experience (particularly with a selection of matched wines), while Post does excellent breakfasts. Those are for another review another day. 

# COMO Hotels and Resorts has 15 luxury properties around the globe in destinations including Bhutan, Turks and Caicos, Miami, Indonesia, Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Maldives. Room rates start from $595. See www.comohotels.com/thetreasury  

# The writer was a guest of COMO The Treasury but hopes to soon return as a paying guest  

 

A remarkable 50-year wine journey of inspiration and innovation

When local doctor Kevin Cullen and his physiotherapist wife Di met with their friend Dr John Gladstones in the 1960s to discuss the possibility of a wine business in the sleepy surfing haven of Margaret River they were on the first steps of a magical, inspired and innovative journey. 

Earlier this month their daughter Vanya Cullen and her team celebrated 50 years of excellence that has encompassed a movement to organics and then biodynamics, early adoption of screw caps, a carbon-neutral winery and a largely self-sufficient restaurant.

Cullen Wines is today globally recognised as a beacon of eminence with the Kevin John Chardonnay and Diana Cullen Cabernet blend regarded as being among Australia's icon wines. 

Under the slogan "quality, integrity, sustainability" Cullen is now firmly established as an icon.

A celebration dinner and three days of memorable tastings marked the milestone. 

In many ways, though, not a lot has changed at all over half a century. The wines remain a work of art, with inspiration coming from the instinct of Vanya and winemaker Andy Barrett-Lennard. 

"The wines remain artisanal - there is no recipe," says Vanya Cullen. "Each year's wines depend on what the fruit looks like when it makes its journey from the vineyard to the winery." 

Instinct, emotion and the beautiful setting - as well as the biodynamic calendar - all play a large role in what emerges in bottle. There is also an essence of hospitality.

Yet before their conversation with Gladstones, Kevin and Di Cullen had planned to plant lupins, not grapes on their land at Wilyabrup. 

No one in Margaret River really knew much about grape growing back in 1971. Kevin Cullen said the work was "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration". The business, now a global brand, did not break even until 1994, the year Kevin Cullen died. 

The Cullens had six children, while Vanya is the figurehead all play some role in the business. Former winemakers including long-serving Trevor Kent were part of the 50th birthday tastings and lunches/dinners in the Biodynamic Wine Room. 

Today, Cullen is the only biodynamic and carbon positive winery in what is now a booming wine region. A remarkable 90% of the food served in the restaurant is grown on site. A worthy legacy. 

Those of us lucky enough to attend the tastings - I was honoured by be invited - worked through myriad wines that have been made biodynamically since 2004 and carbon positively since last year. The first "orange" wine - Amber - emerged in 2014. 

The use of amphora and biodynamically made barrels are among the latest innovations and the wines remain universally savoury, textural and stylish across the board; wines of balance, poise and layering. 

Lucky tasters got to sample semillon/sauvignon blanc blends back to 1995; Amber vintages, Mangan vineyard reds, early cabernets back to 1977, cabernet merlots and Diana Madelines 1995-2019; Vanya cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays and Kevin John vintages from 2002 to 2020.

As is typically the way with Cullen, the tastings were beautifully structured and timed to allow maximum appreciation. Detailed tasting notes; another time, another place.

Across the cabernet blends and Diana Madelines there are different blends, different oak regimes, different vintages and closures, but a symmetry of style; and among the Kevin Johns a familiar energy and texture and the constant vineyard influence.  

Maybe just open a bottle of Cullen and toast a half century of excellence. 

See www.cullenwines.com.au.

          

 

How very artistic: wine region trail sets new records

A record 140 artists from Busselton to Witchcliffe south of Margaret River will participate in the eighth Margaret River Region Open Studios from September 11-26.

As well as popular art forms such as painting, ceramics, sculpting, illustration, photography, jewellery and glass, this year's Open Studios will also feature a number of more unusual creators including a milliner, hand-woven rug maker, two tattoo artists and a handcrafted book maker.

Margaret River Region Open Studios Chairman Jim Davies said there was much anticipation for this year's event following the success of the 2020 event.

“We thought all the records were smashed last year – visits to studios up 50%, largest-ever art sales and over $7 million in economic benefit generated, but we've already broken one record this year before the event has started: attracting our highest number of artists to Open Studios since we started eight years ago.

 “The scope of artists is hugely diverse so art lovers will be able to plan a stimulating and creative time in the Margaret River region to visit the fascinating homes and studios of their favourite artists and discover some new talent, too.

“Renowned favourites Leon Pericles (above), Rebecca Cool, Rachel Coad, Lauren Wilhelm, Christian Fletcher, Fi Wilkie, Gerry Reilly (extreme top) and Ian Mutch are returning, and we have more than 40 artists new to the event which also makes it exciting for visitors who come back each year.

“We know from our visitor surveys that most people spend three to four days visiting a variety of studios from in Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River and everywhere in between, so my advice is to book in your accommodation early. The event covers 16 days so there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy region's art and springtime beauty.”

The event website mrropenstudios.com.au will soon feature all of the 2021 Margaret River Region Open Studios artists and free event guide will be available to collect at Visitor Centres, Jacksons Drawing Supplies and tourism venues down south. 

A brilliant chance to combine some wine tastings with art stops.

# Margaret River Region Open Studios is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural industries, Tourism Western Australia, City of Busselton, Shire of Margaret River, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Private Properties, Hemsley Patterson and arts partner Art Gallery of WA.

New Year, New Experiences in Margaret River

It is now over 50 years since wine production began in Margaret River - and despite a difficult 2020 there are plenty of new products for visitors to enjoy in the New Year.

Artisan winemaker Dylan Arvidson, born in New Zealand and raised in Geelong, has opened the doors to a brand new LS Merchants cellar door in Cowaramup over summer.

Arvidson has a range of over 20 small-batch, minimal-intervention wines featuring different varieties, styles and blends all handmade with wild fermentation where possible and a lot of experimentation.

Another newbie to check out is Skigh Wines, set in the Yallingup hills with a relaxed set up and sprawling gardens.

Down the road, Marri Wood Park's recently opened cellar door is a drawcard for those interested in biodynamic, regenerative farming practices. Book ahead for a complimentary cheese platter.

There are also plenty of new places to stay, with sustainable housing for travellers to the fore. 

A new eco-friendly spot to join the growing list is Barn Hives (above) in Yallingup, in a vineyard near Smiths Beach. 

The eco-pods ahere re architecturally designed with special attention to sunlight and cross ventilation. Water is collected from rainfall and heated by solar panels, making it self-sustainable.

Petit Eco Cabin is the latest rural hideout to open in the region. The modern timber cabin is set among the organic vineyards of Windows Estate in Yallingup.

All fixtures, fittings and decor items have been sourced and made in Australia - and there is an outdoor vintage tub in which to chill off.

Margaret River Heartland is also eco-aligned offering off-grid accommodation with pastoral views to the forest.

Visitors can choose from a weatherboard cottage or a glampavan – a completely refurbished caravan designed by artist Anita Revel. It boasts a modern kitchen, vintage record player, and rainwater sky shower.

A new experience is the four-day Yoga and Wellness Glamping Adventure with Nullarbor Traveller.

Enjoy yoga in pristine locations, sample local and organic produce, connect to country with an indigenous experience and tuck into a glamping tent by night.

Meanwhile, popular wine destination Aravina Estate has recently entered the craft beer space.

With their own on-site brewery, they have five brews which are crafted by chief brewer Dr Brad Hutton (who also happens to be one of their winemakers).

Dunsborough is bursting with new bars to discover. Har Bar in Dunsborough has a vintage nautical theme with a solid cocktail menu. Lady Lola is part deli, part bar, part bistro. Indulge in a negroni or a glass of bubbles and some share plates.