Two of Australia’s premier wine districts combine accessibility with top-notch wines, lip-smacking cuisine and the beauty of nature, writes Jacqui Williams
Across the globe, people love to get away from their busy city lives to enjoy the beauty of the countryside, and Australia is no different. If in Sydney or Melbourne, for example, the magnificent splendour of the country lies within easy reach of these bustling cities. Add to this an increasingly sophisticated gastronomic culture, with numerous wineries a short drive away, and a trip to the country takes on a whole new meaning.
Whether you have a spare day or a spare week you can easily enjoy the spectacular surrounds, world-class wines and gourmet food that the Yarra and Hunter valleys have to offer.
The Yarra Valley
Only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley provides the perfect retreat from city life. Its rich wine and food culture and stunning scenery has made this Victoria’s premium getaway location. The Yarra Valley centres on the townships of Lilydale and Coldstream, but extends farther out to Seville in the east and Yarra Glen to the north. The cool climate in this region allows the production of premium chardonnay and pinot noir as well as cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and shiraz.
Established in 1928 by Italian immigrants Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, De Bortoli Wines is one of the largest and oldest wine companies in Australia. Its Yarra Valley vineyard is overseen by third generation Leanne De Bortoli and winemaker husband Steve Webber. The sprawling vineyard’s many varieties include chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, viognier, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. The estate has its own cheese store and maturation room, and with prior booking you can attend one of its cheese and wine matching classes. The estate’s Italian restaurant Locale prides itself on sourcing local, seasonal and organic produce, and offers mouth-watering dishes such as whole roasted trout, dry-aged ribeye and spaghetti with spanner crab. On Sundays, the restaurant also does a tempting degustation menu. Cellar door and cheese room opens 10am-5pm every day. Restaurant open Thursday-Monday for lunch from 12pm, and Saturday for dinner from 6.30pm.
details: Pinnacle Lane, Dixons Creek, VIC 3775, tel +61 3 5965 2271, http://debortoliyarra.com.au
Best Buy: De Bortoli Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008 (A$36/US$37)
There is certainly a multitude of things to see and do at the Rochford Wines estate. Begin your tour by taking in the surrounding views from the observation tower, and then you can stroll through the art gallery located above the restaurant, or admire the sculptures in the outdoor gardens. Rochford Restaurant offers splendid views of the vineyard and lake through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy the restaurant’s light and airy atmosphere during the warmer months, or the roaring fires when it’s cooler outside. The menu is seasonal and uses locally sourced produce and a number of items cleverly feature Rochford wines that range from pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz to sauvignon blanc, riesling and gewürztraminer. Standouts include pressed ham hock terrine, chicken liver and fortified cabernet paté, and milk-fed veal ribeye served with boudin noir and Rochford cabernet jus.
If visiting in summer you can attend the Rochford Twilight Experience and sip wine under the stars while watching the latest blockbuster movie. The estate also holds its own concert series in the newly expanded amphitheatre. Some of the past artists have included Joe Cocker, Norah Jones and Rod Stewart. If all that isn’t enough, Rochford is the home base for Global Ballooning, a hot-air ballooning company, and coming soon is the Rochford 4WD Track. The cellar door is open 9am-5pm daily, and the Restaurant also opens every day 9am-11am for breakfast and noon-3pm for lunch.
details: Corner Maroondah Highway and Hill Road, Coldstream, VIC 3770, tel +61 3 5962 2119, www.rochfordwines.com.au
Best Buy: Rochford Yarra Valley Cerebus 2011 (a new wine released in August comprising three varietals: gewürztraminer, riesling and pinot gris – A$27/US$28)
Killara Estate is owned by the Palazzo family, who emigrated from southern Italy in the 1960s. With a rich heritage of viticulture in their veins, the Palazzos worked hard to finally see their dream come to fruition in mid-1990s, when they planted their first varieties of pinot noir, chardonnay, merlot, shiraz and cabernet. More recently, they have added sauvignon blanc, viognier and pinot grigio to their vineyards.
Today when you visit the vineyard you can enjoy a traditional family-style meal in their Italian restaurant, Café Lamezia. For something light, you can’t go past the house-made dips, pork and fennel Sicilian sausages or antipasto platter. For something heartier, select from their range of pizzas or oven-baked pastas. The restaurant also offers a unique Family Table menu designed for sharing. Try the express menu created for a 90-minute meal, or lose yourself in the De Luxe 3.5-hour experience. Take the time to relax by the log fire or take in the beautiful scenery in the outdoor courtyard. In October, Killara Estate holds the Shedfest Wine Festival, where you can enjoy free wine tasting, nibble on traditional Italian fare and listen to live music. The cellar door is open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm. Café Lamezia is open Wed-Sun for lunch 12pm-3pm.
details: Corner Warburton Highway and Sunnyside Road, Seville East, VIC 3139, tel +61 3 5961 5877, www.killaraestate.com.au
Best Buy: Palazzo Sangiovese 2010 (A$25/US$26) or Killara Estate Shiraz 2006 (A$25/US$26)
The Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley region of New South Wales is one of the most well-known wine areas in Australia. Located just two hours’ drive north of Sydney, the valley’s rolling green hills and sweeping roads make for the perfect weekend drive. Once there, the area itself offers stunning views, and a wide range of accommodation options. The town of Pokolbin is the unofficial heart of wine country as the majority of wineries are located in the vicinity. The region is best known for shiraz, semillon and, more recently, chardonnay.
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Winery has a long heritage dating back to 1880 when Charles King planted the first varieties in what’s now called Old Hill Vineyard. The land was extended when Maurice O’Shea purchased the property in 1921 and it came to be known as Old Paddock. Varieties here include shiraz, chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir and verdelho. In 1945, the Rosehill Vineyard was committed entirely to shiraz and in 1946, the Lovedale Vineyard was planted with chardonnay and semillon. The estate’s restaurant Elizabeth’s offers a wonderful range of options which can be expertly matched with Mount Pleasant wines. The modern Australian cuisine includes grilled scampi, lamb and sweet potato mash, and kangaroo terrine. Take advantage of their outdoor courtyard to soak up the natural surrounds. The cellar door is open daily 10am-4.30pm, and the restaurant for breakfast and lunch every day 9am-4.30pm.
details: 401 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320, tel +61 2 4998 7505, www.mountpleasantwines.com.au
Best Buy: Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2010 (A$19/US$20)
Tempus Two winery is the creation of Lisa McGuigan, the fourth generation of the celebrated McGuigan wine dynasty. Tempus Two’s focus is on premium wines matched with innovative packaging and a modern approach to business. Tempus Two has several vineyards spread across three states with its Hunter Valley vineyard focusing on chardonnay, semillon and shiraz. The estate’s architecturally breathtaking building proudly displays the brand’s modern design aesthetic. The outdoor natural amphitheatre has been host to concerts by Elton John, Rod Stewart, Santana and KD Lang. Visit the boutique cheese room or exclusive wine bar before making your way to the cellar door to make your purchase. For something more substantial, sit down at Oishii restaurant, which specialises in Thai and Japanese cuisines. Warm up in winter with tom yam or miso soup or, in the summer months, enjoy a refreshing Thai beef salad or assorted sashimi. Cellar door is open 10am-5pm seven days a week. The restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 11.30am-3pm and 5pm-9pm, Sun 11.30am-9.30pm.
details: Corner Broke and McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320, tel +61 2 4993 3999, www.tempustwo.com.au
Best Buy: Tempus Two Copper Cabernet Merlot 2009 (A$20/US$21) and Pewter Vine Vale Shiraz 2008 (A$30/US$31)
Wyndham Estate is named after George Wyndham, who planted Australia’s first commercial shiraz vineyard in 1830. Today visitors can tour the estate’s 100-year-old winery along with its original wine press. The historic site offers picturesque views of the vineyards and surrounding bushland. The vineyard’s main variety is still shiraz but it also produces cabernet, merlot, chardonnay, semillon and sauvignon blanc. Take some time out to visit The Olive Tree, their Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Try the antipasto plate, a delicious risotto or mouth-watering steak. If you visit the estate on a Sunday, you will find it hard to resist the traditional roast with all the trimmings. Cellar door is open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm. The restaurant is open Saturday 12pm-3pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
details: 700 Dalwood Road, Dalwood, NSW 2320, tel +61 2 4938 3444, www.wyndhamestate.com
Best Buy: George Wyndham Shiraz (A$20/US$21)
Stuck In the City
For those who can’t make it to wine country, the following restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne offer fantastic food and great wine.
SYDNEY
Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney
Neil Perry’s reputation as one of Sydney’s premier chefs is fortified by his latest venture, Rockpool Bar and Grill. The stunning restaurant is situated inside an art-deco building designed in 1936. Perry prides himself on sourcing premium produce and the hormone- and antibiotic-free beef is dry-aged on premises. The extensive wine list (74 pages) certainly has something for everyone and features some of the world’s best wines and spirits. Begin the meal with 5yr-old Clyde River Sydney Rock oysters or Sterling caviar. Enjoy your dry-aged wagyu (MB 9+) perfectly cooked on the wood-fired grill, with a side of kipfler potatoes sautéed in wagyu fat or a green bean salad.
Winery Pick: Mount Pleasant – Lovedale Semillon 2005 and Maurice O’Shea Shiraz 2006
66 Hunter Street, Sydney, +61 2 8078 1900, www.rockpool.com
The Meat and Wine Co
The Meat & Wine Co steakhouse began life in South Africa. There are now restaurants in the Middle East, UK, Israel and Australia, including Sydney, which has spectacular views of Darling Harbour and the CBD. Sample a little slice of South Africa by ordering Pap and Sheba, a traditional Boerewors sausage served with pap (polenta) and BBQ relish. For mains, choose from their vast array of steak options. Perhaps the 500-day grain-fed oyster fillet wagyu (MB 9+) or the dry-aged pasture-fed Angus ribeye on the bone.
Winery Pick: Wyndham Estate – George Wyndham Cabernet Merlot 2005
L1, 31 Wheat Road, IMAX Theatre Complex, Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Sydney, +61 2 9211 9888,
http://themeatandwineco.com
Sugar Lounge
A trip to Sydney is never complete without taking the ferry across Sydney Harbour to beautiful Manly. Sugar Lounge’s prime location on Manly’s beachfront offers visitors a chance to relax and take in the view. The grill options are a must. Try the Island burger with pancetta and tomato jam, Jamaican BBQ jerk chicken, or chargrilled tequila swordfish. For something lighter, try the tapas-style share plates like deviled whitebait, Cajun-spiced squid or crispy pork belly bites with jalapeno apple purée.
Winery Pick: Tempus Two – Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2010, and Cabernet
Merlot 2009.
42 North Steyne, Manly, +61 2 9977 7135,
www.sugarlounge.com.au
MELBOURNE
Donovan’s
Donovan’s restaurant is located inside a renovated 1920s bathing house on picturesque St Kilda beach. It’s no surprise that the menu features a wide selection of fresh seafood. The rustic interior and warm, homely feel gives the impression of dining in a family beach house. Begin the meal with Pacific, Sydney Rock or South Australian oysters. Try Queensland leader prawns or line-caught whole fish grilled on the BBQ. Other mains include crispy skin barramundi with abalone consommé, and slow-braised beef cheek with shiraz peppercorn sauce.
Winery Pick: Rochford – Chardonnay 2008, and Pinot Noir 2008
40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, +61 3 9534 8221, www.donovanshouse.com.au
Circa the Prince
Circa the Prince is situated on the second floor of contemporary boutique hotel, The Prince. With its sophisticated, modern design and inviting atmosphere, this really is a must-visit destination while in Melbourne. The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers bar nibbles for a lighter option. From the dinner menu, you should try the venison carpaccio or truffle risotto as a starter. Move on to black Angus rump with bone marrow, or if you’re dining for two, share the 48-hour mutton shoulder cassoulet.
Winery Pick: De Bortoli – Melba ‘Lucia’ Cabernet/Sangiovese 2007 and ‘Noble One’ Botrytis Semillon 2007
2 Acland Street, St Kilda, +61 3 9536 1122, www.circa.com.au
Pop
Pop lies in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD. The city prides itself on its funky lane culture, and Hardware Lane offers an enjoyable alfresco experience. Pop’s menu is Modern Australian with a European twist, and its wine menu features a number of smaller boutique wines. If you enjoy tapas-style dining you can’t go past white truffle popcorn with pecorino, twice-cooked pork belly, or Jamon Iberico with tomato concasse. For a main option, try lobster and scallop tagliatelle, kangaroo bourguignon or trio of slow-cooked lamb.
Winery Pick: Killara Estate – Pinot
Noir 2009
68 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, +61 3 9642 1341, http://poprestaurant.com.au
