New gourmet destination on the Bellarine Peninsula

Oakdene is one of the standout wine producers on the Bellarine Peninsula outside Geelong.

Now the Hooley family behind Oakdene is opening a new multi-million dollar wine, art and dining destination later this week.

Quiddity Place, surrounded by vines and olive groves (above), brings together a restaurant (Hidden Frog, led by chef Dwayne Bourke, who has 25+ years of experience), a cellar door and two art galleries.

There will also be boutique vineyard accommodation overlooking Swan Bay.

The sprawling Mannerim property has 60 acres of vines and more than 6,000 olive trees producing Lighthouse Olive Oil.

The family-friendly, non smoking facility features a gift shop, electric vehicle charging point and function spaces. 

Hidden Frog will open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday nights. 

Think small plates like pan-seared scallops with edamame puree and miso butter, or pork belly with maple caramel pears, kohlrabi and radish salad. 

Bigger plates may include baked Roman-style pumpkin gnocchi with tomato sugo, broccolini and gremolata, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder, red pepper jam, zucchini caponata and new potatoes. 

All dishes can be matched with Oakdene wines. 

See https://www.quiddityplace.com.au/

Breezy Marnong Estate offers more than just fine wine

Marnong Estate is a name that should be on the radar of wine lovers. And food lovers. And folk who enjoy a day or two away in the vineyards.

Owner Dino Strano is not a man to do things by halves. 

The builder and developer has already invested heavily - and has big plans in the pipeline for his property at Sunbury, just a hop, skip and jump from Melbourne Airport.

Following on from highly credentialed consultants, talented Alex Beckett leads the winemaking team and Shannon Fullerton is chief viticulturist.

“When Dino embarked on this project, he knew it would be ambitious," Beckett (below) says. "He has always taken the approach of seeking out talented and knowledgeable individuals to ensure that everything is done in the right way.”

There is upmarket villa accommodation - with an 80-room international standard hotel in the planning stage - along with two impressive on-site eateries: Cucina 3064 and the hatted La Vètta. 

Both are Italian accented, appropriate given the Strano family originally came from Sicily.

It is no wonder Marnong has quickly become popular with Melburnian wine and food lovers, as well as proving a busy wedding and function venue. There is bright, breezy and fun ambience here. 

Younger family members are nor forgotten. They can enjoy the gardens and the on-site petting zoo.

One of Marnong's major drawcards is its location. It is situated just 35 minutes north of Melbourne CBD in the heart of the Sunbury wine region. It is just 18km from Tullamarine Airport, and offers views that stretch to the Macedon Ranges.

The 480-hectare estate is also a working farm with Angus and Highland cattle grazing contentedly.

There is an original 19th century homestead along with the cellar door, eateries and function spaces.

Marnong now has close to 32 hectares of vines planted to varieties ranging from cool-climate specialities in chardonnay and pinot noir, to pinot grigio, montepulciano, fiano and sangiovese. The first plantings were in 2016.

On a recent hosted visit I was very impressed not only by the wines made by ex-Briar Ridge winemaker Beckett, but also the food and tourism offerings.

The architecturally designed lodgings offer comfort and tranquillity with studios starting from $279 per night and one-bedroom suites from $324.

Beckett was lured from the Hunter Valley by a $22 million state-of-the-art winery facility that is hugely impressive.

Good news for wine lovers: bottle prices start at a very reasonable $25 for the estate range and $35 for single vineyard wines. More expensive offerings are on the way.

Images: Winsor Dobbin/supplied

# The writer was hosted by Marnong Estate

See www.marnongestate.com.au

New vineyard accommodation in the Geelong wine region

There is a new vineyard getaway in the Geelong wine region with the opening of Vintners Lodge @ Clyde Park. 

   
Vintners Lodge is described as French-inspired accommodation with "the most superb vineyard and valley views in the region". 

The restored century-old house is a stone's throw from the vines and each of the three bedrooms (The Baroque Room, La Rose and The Stag Room) has its own personality. 

The residence is decorated with European antiques and a 120-year-old mirror from Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. 

There are two wood fireplaces inside, the original flooring has been preserved and the outdoor bath and fire pit complete the picture. 

Think complimentary homemade baked goods, orchard fruit and Clyde Park wine on arrival, and the accommodation sleeps up to six (or eight if you use the sofa bed). See https://clydepark.com.au/

Image: Wildheart Photography

There is also a new cellar door in the region with the opening of Blame Mabel (formerly Staughton Vale Vineyard) in the Moorabool Valley. 

Blame Mabel is also a boutique getaway with three cabins (above) and a farmhouse set on 30 acres among the vines on Mount Anakie. Mabel is the resident boxer dog. 

The pet-friendly cellar door is open to the public but if you book to stay on site, you get your own key so you can come and go as you please. 

The cellar door offers Blame Mabel wine as well as other local drops; it has an indoor fireplace, small farm shop, board games and books. https://www.blamemabel.com/

Bimbadgen opens new spirit tasting facility

There is a new tasting experience in the Hunter Valley where spirits are the focus. 

Bimbadgen Estate has announce its new addition: The Night Merchant’s Dark Cellar which is showcasing the Night Merchant Distillery range. 

Located adjacent to the Bimbadgen cellar door, The Night Merchant Dark Cellar invites visitors to explore two different spirit-tasting experiences, each priced at $18 per person:

GINspired: An immersive gin tasting designed for both gin lovers and curious newcomers. Guests will enjoy a selection of handcrafted, small-batch gins, each paired with complementary garnishes and Fever-Tree tonic water. This sensory journey highlights the distinguishing botanicals and flavour profiles behind each gin, offering both discovery and appreciation for this timeless spirit.

V.R.A.: A tasting flight featuring three distinct spirits; vodka, white rum and agave. This experience showcases the each style, allowing guests to compare flavour nuances and production techniques. 

“We’re excited to officially give Night Merchant Distillery a home at The Dark Cellar here at Bimbadgen, and to expand our current offerings,” says cellar door manager Jace Hughes.

“Our team has put a lot of effort into creating great products, designing engaging tasting experiences, and building a space that feels fresh and different from Bimbadgen’s other outlets. This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to bringing even more new experiences to life here at Bimbadgen.”

Tolpuddle's low-profile new release

Here's a semi-secret wine that you won't find on restaurant wine lists or in your local bottle shop. 

Tolpuddle, the hugely successful Tasmanian vineyard that produces world-class chardonnays and pinots, has a new release. 

Co-owner Martin Shaw snuck me a bottle of the new 2024 Loveless Pinot Noir to try. And while it is not under the Tolpuddle label, it is a very impressive Tassie pinot. 

The Tolpuddle team explains: "Since taking over Tolpuddle Vineyard in 2011, we have made a number of improvements, including new plantings. 

"The young vines, of great potential but not yet ready to make it into the Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, were blended with fruit from an excellent site in the Derwent Valley. The result is a bright, fresh, delicious Tasmanian pinot noir.

"The wine is named for George Loveless, leader of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. 

"Loveless served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard.

So now you know.. The wine is only available in six packs for $300 from the Tolpuddle cellar door in the Coal River Valley, or online.

It's a dark wine, not quite as nuanced as Tolpuddle, but with an interesting flavour palette, well integrated oaks and soft tannins. It finishes long and smooth. 

https://www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/store/loveless-pinot-noir-6-pack

Wine, weddings, parties, anything in Western Australia

Take an American and a South African. Drop them in Western Australia and watch them build a thriving wine business and cellar door, a spirits brand and luxury accommodation.

Ampersand Estates, co-owned by friends and business partners Melissa Bell and Corrie Scheepers, offers wine and events in the Pemberton region of south-west Western Australia.

It is home to three spacious luxury accommodation options surrounded by vineyards, native forest and wild kangaroos.

The Homestead sits on the Donnelly River and has five king-sized bedrooms, each with en suites. The Vintner’s Residence is on a hilltop, overlooking the vineyards and surrounding forest – it also boasts five king-sized bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

The Settler’s Cottage is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom configuration, adjacent to the lakeside cellar door.

A private in-house chef is available to cater for gourmets and in-house guests also have a weather guarantee.

From July through September, guests staying at Ampersand Estates will enjoy bottomless Ampersand wine - every time it rains.

There is also a Winter Escape package where guests stay three nights and pay for two.



Bell and Scheepers have reinvigorated the former Donnelly River Winery, the oldest winery in the region.

Ampersand is promoted as a "harmonious convergence of premium wines, luxury accommodation, gourmet culinary delights, unique spirits, and the breath-taking natural beauty of Western Australia". 

The property hosts events and weddings, as well as wine lovers.

The wine range includes chardonnay, syrah, rosé, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc - exported to Singapore - while the Rainfall Distillery produces a range of spirits, specialising in gins and vodkas.

Pemberton is 3.5 hours’ drive south of Perth and 40 minutes east of Margaret River region.

Part of the Southern Forests wine region, the Pemberton region boasts six cellar doors and is the Southern Hemisphere’s black Perigord truffle epicentre - producing up to 85% of the annual harvest.

I haven't tried the wines or the spirits yet - but I will report back.  

See www.ampersandestates.com.au

Premier wine tourism operation hits the market

A leading wine tourism operation in regional Victoria has just hit the market.

Cannibal Creek Vineyards in West Gippsland, just an hour south-east of Melbourne, is being sold by the Hardiker family.

The property includes an award-winning cellar door and restaurant, a fully equipped winery plus a renovated three-bedroom home with a pool.

Sitting on 27.9 hectares, including 4.3 hectares under vine, it is surrounded by its namesake Cannibal Creek, Mount Cannibal and Bunyip State Park.

The vineyard comprises chardonnay and pinot noir vines, along with sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

Kirsten and Patrick Hardiker planted the vines 28 years ago and told GoTR they hope to sell the business in its entirety on a walk-in, walk-out basis, saying the property has become too much for them to manage.

"Pat has had a series of operations over the years: hips, shoulder, back and most recently knees and it has become too much for us," co-owner and manager Kirsten said. "Unfortunately our adult children have pursued different professions. 

"We still love the process of growing grapes and making wine, less so the selling of it. The restaurant (below) and cellar door are well patronised, but it is time for a different, and possibly younger, outfit to take it on."

The property is being sold by Matt Rice from Facey Commercial and Ben Rose, from Castran, who is also a vineyard consultant.

Among the suggested possibilities, subject to council permission, are expanding the size of the vineyard and winery operations, and/or the restaurant and cellar door, as well as extending the opening hours.

There is also the idea of building accommodation on the site and capitalising on its scale and scenery to become a destination for weddings and events.

"This unique lifestyle property provides the opportunity to be creative, social and active in a beautiful environment,” said Rice.

“You can do as little or as much as you choose with options to contract out the winery operation or lease out the restaurant, if running and growing the operation is not your preference.”

Tynong North is on the edge of West Gippsland in the Port Phillip wine region, which is in easy day-trip distance for Melburnians and visitors to Victoria.

For details see https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/acclaimed-vineyard-restaurant-cannibal-creek-for-sale-1387757/

Flying high: Marnong Estate makes a statement

Make a note of the name: Marnong Estate.

First the Victorian red wine producer snapped up talented winemaker Alex Beckett, and now it has released a new collection of premium reds: 2024 single-vineyard expressions of sangiovese, montepulciano, and pinot noir, along with a 2023 single-vineyard shiraz and a more affordable 2024 estate pinot noir.

I've just tasted the 2024 montepulciano and pinot noir, along with the 2023 shiraz, which share a common thread of cool-climate elegance and hints of subtle minerality throughout the range.

You won't find Marnong in one of the major wine regions but it is in one of the oldest; located in Sunbury, just down the road from Melbourne Airport.

It sits 300 metres above sea level and is just 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD. There are 34 hectares under vine, with more planned. 

“Our wines are carefully crafted to capture the essence of the cool climate terroir through a balance of traditional and innovative techniques," former Briar Ridge winemaker Beckett (below) says.

 "The 2024 Single Vineyard collection is a perfect showcase of this - wines with remarkable complexity, refined structure, and a perfect harmony between fruit expression and savoury characters.”

Of the trio I tried, the intense and savoury montepulciano was narrowly my favourite, just edging the spice notes of the shiraz. Both are very good buys, and extremely food friendly.

The prices are: 2024 Single Vineyard Sangiovese $35; 2023 Single Vineyard Shiraz $40, 2024 Single Vineyard Montepulciano $35, 2024 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir $40, 2024 Estate Pinot Noir $25.

Marnong is certainly on my list for my next visit to bleak city. The property, with the original homestead dating back to the 1840s, is a luxury wine and dining destination with accommodation to match.

Visitors can taste at the cellar door, or dine in at one of two Italian restaurants, La Vètta, and Cucina 3064, or enjoy coffee with a view at Caffè Vista.

Marnong Estate holds wine and chocolate tastings at its cellar door - but you'll need a reservation for that. See www.marnongestate.com.au.

Famous wine family unveils new Barossa cellar door

 

The Burge family, famous names in the Barossa wine business, have opened a new cellar door showcasing wines made under their Corryton Burge label.


Located in Krondorf, it boasts a sun-drenched cellar door space offering a range of tasting experiences along with views of the estate's grenache bush vines and the valley floor.

The new site marks a homecoming for Corryton Burge owners the Burge family, consisting of parents Grant, Helen and children Trent, Amelia and Toby as it is located on a property they purchased back in 1978 just across the road from their family home.


“We are thrilled to be welcoming the next chapter of the Corryton Burge story at a space that is so special to us all as a family and is home to cherished memories of my childhood,” says Trent Burge.

The Burge family - which no longer owns the Grant Burge business - is moving from its current location at Underground Barossa.


Sixth-generation Barossans Trent, Amelia, and Toby and their parents are the driving forces behind Corryton Burge.


The new tasting facility offers a Discovery Tasting for $10pp, which showcases six wines across the Kith and Kin ranges, plus its inaugural Sparkling Collection which launched last year.


Guests can also choose to enjoy the Paired Tasting Experience ($20pp) which includes six wines from the Corryton Burge portfolio to taste alongside locally produced snacks.


Group bookings are also available with a dedicated private tasting room which holds up to 15 guests.




“We are thrilled to be welcoming the next chapter of the Corryton Burge story at a space that is so
special to us all as a family and is home to cherished memories of my childhood,” says Trent Burge.


“We want everyone who walks into the Corryton Burge cellar door to feel that instant warmth of our
Burge family hospitality and enjoy everything our space has to offer.”


For over 160 years, generations of the Burge family have worked to build one of the most
recognisable names in the wine industry.


What began as door-to-door fortified wine sales evolved over each generation to see the Burge family now own over 300 hectares of vineyard across the region.

The new Corryton Burge Cellar Door building was first renovated by Helen Burge in 2013-2014 but was then leased out for several years.


Now the building is back in the hands of the Burge family.


“I have worked in the wine industry for many years, but nothing has made me prouder than building
Corryton Burge, which encompasses the passion and dedication of the whole Burge family,” says
Grant Burge.


“To mark the next chapter in the Burge family winemaking legacy at a location that has played a role in our family upbringing just couldn’t be a better fit - it’s great to be home!”


The Corryton Burge portfolio spans red, white, and sparkling wines grown from sites in the Barossa
Valley, Eden Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Tasmania’s Derwent Valley.


“For as long as I can remember I’ve been amongst the vineyards in the Barossa, it’s a special place,
and every wine we craft here at Corryton Burge attempts to reflect that and share it with the
drinker,” says Trent Burge.


“We focus on showcasing only the best parcels of fruit from this exceptional winemaking region, to produce wines with a sense of place.”

The Corryton Burge Cellar Door is located at the corner of Krondorf and Lilyfarm Roads, Krondorf,
South Australia and is open daily from 10am to 5pm except Good Friday, Christmas Day and
Boxing Day.

See www.corrytonburge.com

Discover an autumn special deal in the Hunter Valley

Visiting the Hunter Valley can be eye-wateringly expensive, particularly at weekends.

Which can be frustrating if the main purpose of your visit is to stock up on some wines.

The Lane Retreat, Bimbadgen, has just released an autumn package that is affordable and offers some little extra touches.

The Lane Retreat is set among 15 hectares of secluded vineyard and natural bushlands in the heart of Hunter and is promoted as "a wine country getaway for couples and friends looking to embrace he seasonal beauty of the Hunter and its golden vineyard hues in autumn".

The Autumn Escape package is priced from $287 per night when staying a minimum of two-nights in a premium studio retreat (above).

The package includes breakfast provisions for two people, a wood-fired pizza at Bimbadgen Pizzeria for two, a bottle of Bimbadgen shiraz on arrival, Coco Nib pack of four bon bon chocolates and late check-out to midday.

The deal is valid for stay until May 31 and is subject to availability. Some blackout dates may apply.

The accommodation was developed by property and hospitality group Mulpha Australia in the grounds of Bimbadgen’s 50-year-old vineyards.

Guests also have access to tastings at the Mulpha-owned Emma’s Cottage Vineyard boutique winery nearby.

The Lane Retreat offers 60 chic studio retreats with outdoor decks offering views of the Brokenback Range or Bimbadgen vineyards.

Each studio retreat has king beds, bathroom with double rain head showers and Hunter bathroom amenities, a kitchenette with coffee maker, toaster, microwave and mini bar, and breakfast provisions.

There is a new luxury swimming pool and amenities, along with a store and pantry offering espresso coffee, gourmet cheeses and grazing food options, wines, spirits, and other gourmet goodies.

* Dogs are now welcome to stay in premium studio retreats with their owners at The Lane Retreat.

For an additional $50 per night, guests can now bring their furry friend away with them, with the use of a water bowl during your stay and pet waste bags included in the rate.

Stays must be booked on the Pet friendly Retreat rate at www.thelaneretreat.com.au

Chef back to take the reins at Esca

They say that you can’t go back. But that is exactly what chef Raphael Martinez has done. 

Property and hospitality group Mulpha has appointed Martinez as head chef for Bimbadgen Estate’s flagship restaurant Esca and all related food offerings in the Hunter Valley, including Bimbadgen Wines, Bimbadgen Palmer’s Lane Weddings & Events, Emma’s Cottage and hospitality packages for A Day on The Green Concerts. 

The appointment follows the departure of chef Keira Madeley. 

Martinez first worked at Esca Bimbadgen in 2018 as a chef de partie and has returned to lead the kitchen in 2024, having gained broad experience in the Hunter Valley’s fine dining scene, including at Spicers Guesthouse and Brokenwood Wines.

Mulpha’s General Manager, Hunter Valley Operations, Jordan Rodgers, said: “We are delighted to welcome Raphael back to Bimbadgen Estate, this time as head chef with an expanded brief, having developed impressive culinary and leadership skills over the intervening years.

“In his new role Raphael will also oversee all food offerings across Bimbadgen and its related outlets, working closely with food and beverage manager Caitlin Bremner to ensure a great food experience whatever the venue or event.”

Under the new regime, guests will continue to enjoy modern-Australian cuisine using “fresh, quality ingredients sourced locally and a creative blend of Asian and Italian influences”.

“I’m dedicated to ensuring that every dining experience at Esca Bimbadgen is exceptional, with an emphasis on flavour, technique, and presentation,” said Martinez.

“The Hunter Valley has been my family’s home since 2018 and we enjoy everything about wine country life - the people, the stunning landscapes and the exceptional local wines. 

A new summer menu has been released, which will include Korean-style grilled pork belly with ssamjang butter, baby gem, and wild rice; crispy potato gnocchi with pea puree, pecorino and basil; fresh handmade spanner crab ravioli with sauce verge and caviar; and little Joe flank steak with tarro puree, chimichurri and green beans.

Martinez is passionate about chocolate-based dessert and will introduce them to Esca’s menu soon. 

“We aim to consistently deliver excellence in food and wine, quality and service,” Martinez says. “Not just in our flagship restaurant Esca but also in our wedding and event venue on Palmers Lane, our Bimbadgen cellar door, and our new addition, Emma’s Cottage.”

Kyneton Ridge aims for sustainable excellence

It is always exciting to discover a wine brand with which you are not familiar.

That is the case with Kyneton Ridge, a family operation based in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria.

Andrew and Angela Wood bought Kyneton Ridge from John Boucher and partner Pauline Russell in 2019 and their son Patrick is now the winemaker.

New to the wine business, sustainability and regenerative farming are at the heart of their project.

I enjoyed the range of wines, which had a high-acid liveliness to them across the board.

The Woods famly has added nebbiolo, riesling, more chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc to the original plantings, which are pinot noir dominant, but source their shiraz fruit from Heathcote.

Adopting a regenerative viticulture approach, they say they have improved soil microbiology with compost application, companion planting, and inter-row plantings.

Just 5.5 hectares of the property is vines, with the vast majority have been returned to natural habitat after being farmed.

The Woods have joined Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and are preparing for certification audit.

Son Patrick (pictured above with partner Greta and mother Angela) says he has a sustainability focus, using minimal inputs and adapting to specific site and growing conditions. The wines are bottled on site.

The volcanic soils are are ideal for concentrated, complex, and high-quality wines.

The winery, fermentation hall, and cellar door space is home to the Ridge Café, run by Angela Wood, and the Art Space curated by Jordan Wood.

The facility offers tutored tastings, a sharing menu, and a gallery supporting contemporary artists.

The range includes the Kyneton Ridge NV Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay ($42), 2023 Chardonnay ($38), 2023 Cabernet Rosé ($32), 2023 Skipping Rabbit Pinot Noir ($32), a 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir ($40), a 2022 Cabernet Shiraz ($30) and the 2022 Heathcote Shiraz ($40), as well as an NV Sparkling Shiraz ($40).

My favourites were the Cabernet Shiraz blend, which uses fruit from Baynton, Macedon Ranges, and Colbinabbin, Heathcote. It is a very slurpable take on Aussie claret and extremely good value. 

If you want pinot to drink now, The Skipping Rabbit is a very nifty little wine, fun and varietal and  well priced, too. Its sibling is more of a cellaring prospect.

Outstanding, as well, was the vibrant red-fruited Cabernet Rosé, which we paired with a Med-style lamburger. It proved a delicious combo. A wine best served well chilled but enticing with or without food. 

For more details see www.kynetonridge.com.au   

Tasmania to get a new premium cellar door

Tasmania is to get a new wine tasting facility later this year with pinot noir and chardonnay specialist Tolpuddle announcing the opening of its cellar door. 

Tolpuddle is based in the Coal River Valley and is owned by Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith. 

Pip Anderson (image), one of Tasmania's leading wine professionals, will join Tolpuddle Vineyard and Shaw + Smith team in August. 

She will take on a hybrid role -  primarily as the manager of the Tolpuddle Vineyard Tasting Room in addition to overseeing the Tasmanian market alongside the Joval Wines team. 

Anderson was most recently general manager of hospitality at Tasmanian icon MONA and has previously been head sommelier at Merivale venues Felix and Ivy in Sydney. 

She is also an experienced wine judge, Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) educator, former Hobart chair of Sommeliers Australia and a Len Evans Tutorial scholar.

“I look forward to being a part of solidifying Tolpuddle Vineyard’s sense of identity and place here in Tasmania," Anderson said. "The Tasting Room will provide an incredible opportunity for people to visit one of Australia's most significant single vineyard sites. 

"I look forward to welcoming them all here.”

David LeMire MW, Shaw+Smith joint CEO and head of sales and marketing, said: “Pip was always our No.1 draft pick for the Tolpuddle Tasting Room. She will be fantastic.”

No date has yet been set to the opening of the tasting facility. 

The Tolpuddle vineyard was planted by industry experts Garry Crittenden,  Tony Jordan and Bill Casimaty in 1988.

New wine and food experiences in the Great Southern

It's a long drive from just about anywhere to get to Ferngrove winery in the Great Southern region of West Australia.

But visitors are promised new tasting experiences in this winemaking outpost

Located in Frankland River, Ferngrove Wines has designed three new tasting experiences to be enjoyed at the cellar door, along with new culinary options, Tourism Western Australia reports.



The tasting experiences include an Experience Ferngrove Tasting, a casual introduction to six wines from $10 per person; a two-hour Museum Tasting Experience of special back vintage wines; and a Bespoke Tasting Flight of 10 wines across the portfolio.

The new culinary options, meanwhile, include pizzas, charcuterie boards and barbeque facilities, with the option to purchase meat packs from the cellar door.

 
The large seasonal charcuterie board includes four cheeses, preserves, dried fruit, nuts, olives and crackers.

 
For those who want a remote experience, the Ferngrove chalets have a fully equipped kitchens, barbecue facilities, reverse cycle air-conditioning and a TV. But be warned: there is no wifi out here.

Frankland River is an hour away from the nearest shopping centre so it is recommended you take food with you. All linen is provided and the chalets can sleep up to six people.

Rates start from $140 per night for two. See www.ferngrove.com.au

 

   

Major changes to the Briar Ridge wine experience

 

Hunter Valley wine producer Briar Ridge Vineyard has announced a trifecta of new developments for winter 2024.

They include the introduction of a Mystery Vineyard Tour, the enhancement of their family and dog-friendly amenities, and the opening of a new restaurant offering at the cellar door in Mount View. 

The Mystery Vineyard Tour is billed as "a blend of adventure and sophistication" that reveals secrets behind the 50-year-old Mount View vineyard.

Guests can sip on vintage as they explore the vineyards with a dedicated host and then savour some of the Hunter's best with a curated wine tasting in a mystery location within the winery grounds. This is complemented by a cheese and charcuterie plater featuring local and imported delicacies. 

Meanwhile, Estancia Osteria, the new restaurant offering, opened last month, inspired by the rustic charm of estancias in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. 

The blub says it will "offer diners a culinary voyage through the heart of Italy, the Mediterranean Sea and South America", led by executive chefs Gabriel Rodrigues and James Orlowski. 

Fire to Table cuisine will showcase fresh and seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers, including succulent cuts of meat cooked over embers. 

Both the Briar Ridge cellar door and adjacent wine garden are family- and pet-friendly with complimentary colouring kits to entertain the little ones, children's snacks and a supervised grassed garden with toys and yard games. 

Furry friends can enjoy Pooch Platters featuring dog treats, a A Pooch Hydration Station for a quick hydration and the possibility for well-behaved woofers to join their humans at their tasting table.

 Briar Ridge recently welcomed new winemaker  Andrew Duff (above), who succeeded long-serving winemaker Alex Beckett. 

“I have some big shoes to fill and I’m honestly revelling in the opportunity to make wine off such a significantly important vineyard for the Hunter,” he says. 

“I’m especially eager to be playing with some interesting grape varietals, such as the fiano and albariño."

For more info see www.briarridge.com.au/

Tahbilk gets a little fizzy and a wee bit sticky

Tahbilk is Victoria's oldest family-owned wine producer with a history that dates back to 1860. 

And it would be fair to say it has a reputation for being quite conservative.

But Tahbilk has joined the growing raze for spritzes and fruit-driven summer cocktails by funking up traditional favourite the Mimosa.

Enter The ‘Sticky Spritz’, a new cocktail combining Tahbilk’s 2018 Cane Cut Marsanne and their NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling wine to produce a signature summer treat that has proved hugely popular at cellar door.

The cocktails was created almost by accident by cellar door manager Holly Cusworth. 

Playing around with wines and flavours, Holly was inspired to build on the spritz trend and create one of her own. 

“The combination of sweet and fruity hi flavours in this spritz is delicious but not cloying," she says. 

"The acid in the sparkling cuts through, creating a not-too-sweet summer sensation. It’s my new ‘go to’ drink, but really it's so special as we’ve never really served or sold a drink like this before, combining two wines from our classic portfolio.”

Take the two wines and add a sprig of thyme, a squeeze of orange and some soda water to your glass.

Here's a recipe, but you can tweak it to suit your own tastes.

● Half fill a wine glass with plenty of ice and add the following:

● Tahbilk Cane Cut Marsanne

● Tahbilk NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling

● Top with soda water

● Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice and stir

● Garnish with a slice of orange and a sprig of thyme

For more see www.tahbilk.com.au to order. The 2018 Cane Cut Marsanne is $20.95 and the NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling is $22.95.

New-look Stonier snaps up talented Grounds

Stonier Wines on the Mornington Peninsula has claimed a coup with the appointment of Julian Grounds as technical director to oversee the winery and vineyard under its new ownership.

West Australian-born Grounds, who will have equity in the business, has spent the last five vintages at leading New Zealand producer Craggy Range, where he was chief winemaker. He has been keen to return to Australia. 

Well-credentialed Grounds has had stints in Burgundy, Margaret River, Central Otago and Oregon and was senior winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, before returning to Margaret River to join McHenry Hohnen as chief winemaker in early 2017.

Later that year, he was named Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial, before heading to Hawke's Bay.

Circe Wines, owned by three families, acquired Stonier from Accolade Wines in the middle of last year. Former chief winemaker Justin Purser will pursue his own project in Beechworth and work as a consultant.  

Co-owner Aaron Drummond - who worked with Grounds at Craggy Range - also reports a new look to the Stonier cellar door, with a new fireplace and new seating. Outside there are now heaters and wind-proof blinds.

Also new is a providore fridge "with the best local cheese, breads and charcuterie".

Millers delivers fresh bread every weekend, but and will also be making focaccias to match the wines.

Drummond reports: "In the vineyard, our organic farming roll out is going really well and already the vineyard is looking visibly healthier.

"As part of this organic regime we are now turning the soil undervine rather than spraying chemicals to kill weeds. We are big believers that great wine is grown in the vineyard, and with all of the work we are doing on soil health, I really feel this will translate nicely in the coming vintages."

Taylors raises the bar with new cellar door and tasting experiences

Taylors Wines this week opened the doors of its new Clare Valley cellar door after the completion of a multi-million dollar project on the property. 

The new tasting facility is the first significant update to Taylors’ hospitality offering since the winery was established in 1969. 

The development sees Taylors move from its existing cellar door in the main winery building on the property to a newly developed site: an extension from the original homestead located on the front lawn.

“This is the beginning of an exciting new era for our family winery," said third-generation vigneron and managing director Mitchell Taylor. "We wanted to elevate the experience with this new cellar door, so there are no half measures. 

“Every detail in the project is considered, with design features that are sophisticated while being warm and inviting. The space truly reflects our family and the Taylors story, and we hope it will be the first point of call for visitors to our wonderful region.”

The new cellar door features five distinct areas for visitors: the Main Tasting Room, The Courtyard, The East Patio, The Event Pavilion, and the Collector’s Club members' tasting room. 

The main entry features Taylors’  three seahorse emblem in weathered steel. The use of limestone is  a feature of the facade and walls, alluding to how the Taylor family discovered fossilised seahorses in the vineyard’s limestone bedrock when they established the estate over 50 years ago.

The tasting counter features Enomatic wine serving systems to preserve premium wines while the central feature of the main tasting room is a bronze-green tiled circular fireplace surrounded by cosy lounge chairs and furniture featuring American oak and soft leather. 

The private Collector’s Club members' room sits beside the main tasting room, offering groups of up to 18 a comfortable space in which to conduct hosted tastings and events. This area offers guests 180-degree views of the lawn and vineyards to the east of the property. 

There are two outdoor areas designed for guests to enjoy on the Clare Valley’s sunny days. 

“Our goal has been to create a space that epitomises both Taylors Wines and the Clare Valley - it's an original style all of its own,” Kristina Soggee, senior project architect at GP Architects, said. 

Also new is a range of new tasting experiences including wine and cheese and wine and chocolate tastings. 

For serious wine lovers the Flagship Wines Tasting Experience showcases wines from the Taylors Masterstroke and St Andrews ranges, along with the exceptional parcel release wines, The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon and The Pioneer Shiraz. 

See www.taylorswines.com.au/visit-us-cellar-door.

Images: Anson Smart

A barrel of fun as iconic cellar door gets a makeover

One of the first - and best-known - cellar doors in Australia is about to re-open.

McWilliam’s Wines has just announced the return of its refreshed Hanwood cellar door, one of the most popular tourism attractions in the Riverina.

The facility has undergone extensive upgrades to its interiors and will offer a range of new wine experiences from Friday.

McWilliam’s barrel-shaped cellar door was first opened in 1973, and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The facility's new owners, the Calabria family, have worked with a team of local designers and suppliers during the past 12 months to oversee the renovations.

The Hanwood Estate vines were first planted in 1913 and have been a key producer of fruit for fortified wines ever since.

 

“Many people associate the name McWilliam’s with the barrel and the many fond memories of rich fortified tastings inside it," said second-generation winemaker and managing director Bill Calabria AM.

"The building has become a landmark in the Riverina and was a hub for much of the great history behind the McWilliam’s name. This reopening feels like a new era for us and a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and visitors with some incredible new wine experiences.”

While maintaining the iconic barrel-stave shell, extensive upgrades have transformed the interiors into
a modern, lodge-style spot in which to sip wines.

Cosy deluxe leather lounges and a long 16-seater table create space for up to 35 guests.

There is also a private tasting room; the ‘Friar Room', which pays tribute to the winery's retro novelty Friar mascot.

The tasting menu features a range of aged fortified, and limited cellar door releases.

The McWilliam's Barrel is located on Jack McWilliam Road, Hanwood, NSW, and will
be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-4pm.

Wine enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their tasting experiences in advance by booking online at mcwilliams.com.au

Calabria family offers a little taste of Italy Down Under

The Calabria family are one of the big success stories of the Australian wine industry, graduating from backyard producers to major players. 

Now the family is celebrating la dolce vita and its Italian cultural links with a new cellar door food offering and revamped winery experiences

The Calabrias have unveiled an Italian-inspired bar menu at the Calabria Family Wines cellar door in Griffith. 

There are now a selection of Italian-style shared plates and a seasonal shared menu designed by the venue’s new chef Amanda Fuller.

The food offering follows a revamp of the cellar door, which now includes a suite of tasting experiences, a winery museum, and a sensory wall. 

“This has been a huge undertaking by the cellar door team and one that will be a great addition to the region." says third-generation sales and marketing manager Andrew Calabria. 

"The Riverina is such an iconic region for outstanding produce, generations of independent family businesses, and of course, an array of sensational wines. We aim to celebrate that with our new experience offerings. 

“While there are still traditional wine-tasting experiences to guide you through our portfolio of wines, we feel the best way to get to know all about the Calabrias is by taking a seat at the tasting bar and enjoying a selection of Italianesque menu items alongside our delicious wines.”

So think salumi and cheese boards, warmed olives, hand-rolled arancini and home-baked focaccia. 

A more elevated lunch experience is available to book and features a seasonal menu of shared dishes and matched wines enjoyed inside patriarch Bill Calabria’s private cellar.

This season’s La Dolce Vita dishes include hand-made pasta tossed in a traditional ragù, Calabrian baked eggplant, pizza topped with arugula, and an assortment of Italian desserts. 

The La Dolce Vita lunch experience costs $90 per person, with bookings mandatory.

“Food is an essential part of the wine experience, and I’ve worked with the Calabria family to best showcase their Southern Italian heritage and the incredible local produce we have available in the Riverina,” says chef Fuller. 

“The dishes celebrate the region and its produce while sticking to the laid-back Italian philosophy of riposo - or rest - where guests are invited to relax, sip wine and enjoy delicious food with friends around the table. The new space and food experience will be a welcome addition to the exciting food scene here in Griffith.”

In addition to the menu offering, Calabria Family Wines has added an interactive sensory wall to showcase the aromas that inspire the Calabria family’s wines. 

Utilising a system of hand-blown glass decanters and aroma pumps, the team have carefully curated a selection of aromas to give visitors a scent-driven, self-guided experience in the cellar door.

The cellar door experiences aim to highlight the 76-year history of the family winery since Francesco Calabria first founded Calabria Wines & Sons in 1945.

The new wine tasting menu includes the Discover & Taste flight, the Sorseggia e Assaggia (Sip & Taste) Italian tasting, Riverina Signature Flight self-guided experiences and the Icons of the Riverina Bill Calabria & Three Bridges Durif vertical tasting - hosted by Bill Calabria AM.

“Whether you simply want to enjoy a light tasting through our collection of outstanding wines or dig into the private cellars and taste something rare and wonderful, every guest that comes to Calabria Family Wines will be given a special experience worth remembering,” Andrew Calabria said.

The complete list of experiences and prices is at www.calabriawines.com.au/visit-us/riverina.