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/

Indigenous culture on display in Wagga Wagga

There is a new reason to visit the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga with the opening of the new Wiradyuri Gallery at the Botanic Gardens site.

Seven significant cultural objects from the Australian Museum's First Nations collection will be on display as a highlight of the gallery's offering.

The seven objects, a parrying shield, a shovel and five clubs, have a deep connection to the area as they were all collected around the 1860s on Ganmain Station on Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Country.

The selection of the long-term loan objects was undertaken in consultation with the Wagga Wagga-based Indigenous Reference Group Mawang Gaway, chaired by Aunty Isabel Reid.

Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Elder Aunty Cheryl Penrith said: “I am honoured to be a part of the return of these significant cultural objects from the Ganmain collection held at the Australian Museum back to the Museum of the Riverina on Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Country.

“I acknowledge and pay respect Yindyamarra to our ancestors. The Elders involved in the process are extremely proud and excited these significant objects will be on display and home on Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Country. Thank you Yindyamarra.”

The redeveloped Museum of the Riverina opens to the public at the end of the month.

Laura McBride, director, First Nations, Australian Museum, a Wailwan and Kooma woman, said these objects travelling back to Country is part of the Australian Museum’s commitment to facilitating long-term loans to communities and regional museums to increase accessibility for Aboriginal peoples to their cultural objects.

"Undertaking long-term loans is a way in which we can return objects back on Country, so they are more easily accessible to their communities,” McBride said.

“When museums loan objects, they also support the conservation, display and research of the objects. Through the loan of objects, museums also help regional museums that might not have the resources of the major cultural institutions.

“It’s so special these objects are going home; I look forward to seeing them displayed on their own Country and interpreted by their own peoples when the new gallery opens.”

See https://museumriverina.com.au/

Meet an eatery, a picklery, a gallery and a wine bar all in one

Harvest & Light is a unique space in the Huon Valley that offers a true taste of Tasmania.

The brainchild of microbiologist and research scientist Cassy Faux, Harvest & Light is a small batch-pickle and condiment producer, a wine bar, a snack spot and a photographic gallery - all in one. 

It is home to a major collection of local wines and spirits, offers cheese platters and gourmet treats for lunchtime enjoyment, hosts wine tastings and is a Friday night hotspot for locals.

It has a very relaxed vibe, lovely light and there is the option of sitting indoors, on a veranda, or in an enclosed garden.

Re-opened three months ago after a break, Harvest & Light is open Thursday through Sunday and visitors are welcome to simply browse Faux's stunning photographs, enjoy a cheese platter or sip some wine from an all-female winemaker by-the-glass list. 

So think names like Stargazer, Wines by Aunt Alice, Kate Hill, Sinapius and Bellebonne among over 100 Tasmanian wines, spirits and artisan beers on offer. 

The curious can enjoy a paddle of five Women in Wine selections for $20. 

When I visited last week the constantly changing menu featured cheeseboards with a selection of home-made pickles and preserves created on-site (various prices) and a selection of small dishes, some with the imprint of former Masterchef star Sarah Clare.

Think dishes like labneh with charred eggplant and zucchini, onion jam and chilli jam ($16), or a heritage tomato caprese with locally grown tomatoes, cheese and herbs ($14). Both were absolutely delicious. 

Other options I did not try were lamb skewers with roast carrot hummus, cucumber and wild fennel pickle ($16), and white anchovies with fennel and herbed salsa ($14). 

A blackboard lists the local farms where all the fruits and vegetables are sourced - and the array of condiments on sale includes pickled gherkins, peach mustard, berry jams and home-made cordials that can be mixed into cocktails. 

My credit card got a little bit of a workout. It is pretty hard not to grab some delights to take away.  

Harvest & Light is at 6 Church St, Geeveston, TAS 7116. www.harvestandlight.com.au. 

The writer was a lunch guest of Harvest & Light