fitzroyalty

In terms of publicity and reputation, the consensus is that Oscar W’s is the best restaurant in Echuca. When researching accommodation, dining and travel for a recent weekend in Echuca with my girlfriend, only Oscar W’s provided the kind of information busy city residents need to make decisions about a weekend away in the country. Beyond basic details like addresses and opening hours, I want to see menus, wine lists and photos of the restaurant.

I also want to read newspaper and blog reviews. If I can’t access this information, I don’t make a booking. It’s time that more regional towns and businesses started to take online media seriously as the primary channel to promote themselves. With tourism becoming the major industry in many country towns, the lack of quality informative online content about many towns and their facilities is a fundamental barrier to their economic development. But enough of the rant. I’m sure you would rather read about the food.

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I’m not one for reading cute animal stories, so I’m surprised to find myself writing one. Resting on the grounds of the Cape Horn winery near Echuca these recently shorn alpacas were rather endearing. I was there to secure some of their fabulous Durif, and made the wonderous discovery that is their late picked Zinfandel, an intense and delicious dessert wine. The only thing I’ve had that can compare is Scion‘s sweet Durif from Rutherglen.

Cape Horn can be challenging to find (it is at the end of several kilometres of unsealed and poorly signed roads) but it is worth visiting if you enjoy good Victorian wine or cute animals. While I was there the owners were suffering from two bridesmaid bus tours. Drinking generously and making lots of noise is one way to demonstrate appreciation, but I think they liked having someone ask them about their wine and the craft of making it.

On a recent visit to Echuca I had breakfast at the Black Pudding deli, which claims to deliver the best breakfast in town. If that is true, I feel sorry for the locals. Maybe they make their own breakfast at home and leave the cafes to the tourists. The coffee at the Black Pudding was watery and burned, with no crema or flavour, and the food was average.

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