Fitzroyalty

Hyperlocal news about Melbourne's first suburb: Fitzroy 3065

Archive for the category: Wineries

a visit to Oranje Tractor organic winery, Albany WA

8 May 2012 | 0 comments

Over the weekend I was fortunate to visit the cellar door of Albany organic winery Oranje Tractor, and I was impressed with their wines. While the sparkling riesling, made by méthode champenoise, was not to my taste, I thought their riesling, sauvignon blanc and shiraz were excellent.

The sauvignon blanc is delicious with fish, while the typically cool climate peppery shiraz matches well with roast lamb and vegetables and crusty bread. If you’re in the area I recommend a visit to try their wine and to appreciate their wonderful gardens.…

lunch at the Redesdale hotel

17 May 2011 | Comments Off

I thought the chips at the Tramway hotel in North Fitzroy, where I ate recently, were very good. But then I ate at the front bar of the Redesdale hotel in the southern edge of the Heathcote wine region and OMG they have the best chips in the universe ever. While out cellar door visiting recently (fantastic viognier and herby cabernet from Barfold Estate) my friend and I drove past this dot on the map town and stopped to check out the pub.…

lunch at Plunkett Fowles Winery, Avenel

21 December 2010 | Comments Off

Last week my colleagues and I escaped the city for a long leisurely lunch at Plunkett Fowles Winery on the Hume Freeway just north of Seymour. We started with some of their Stone Dwellers Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir and platters from the antipasti and charcuterie menu out in the sunny courtyard, then moved inside for the rest of the meal.

wineries wine travel regional food customer service business avenel …

lunch at Sam Miranda winery, Oxley

13 December 2010 | 2 Comments

While in the King Valley region recently for work I stopped in at the cellar door at Sam Miranda winery in Oxley to buy some wine to give to friends for Christmas. They produce some fantastic wines from grape varieties rarely grown in Australia, such as saperavi, and these make great gifts.

While I was there I chatted with the cellar door staff, tasted a few of the wines and had lunch. Their menu features main meals but also antipasti and charcuterie plates, and I chose the 4 antipasti for $20 plate.…

lunch at McIvor Estate winery, Tooborac

13 October 2010 | 3 Comments

Last Sunday I visited McIvor Estate winery in Tooborac on the southern side of the Heathcote wine region for lunch. $20 bought a tasting plate of their olives and olive oils, salad and more delicious woodfired pizza than my girlfriend and I could eat, along with tastings of their new release wines. Apart from narrowly missing a kangaroo on the Hume Fwy on the way, it was a pleasant 90 minute drive on a lovely spring day.…

summer holidays – lunch at Wild Dog winery, Warragul

12 January 2010 | 2 Comments

To begin the new year, my girlfriend and I drove east from Melbourne to have lunch at the Wild Dog winery just out of Warragul, a choice based on a recent review from Claire at Melbourne gastronome. It was the first part of a pleasant long weekend escaping the city. When we arrived we tasted a few wines, then went to the restaurant area and stood around, looking obviously in need of attention or assistance.…

The Victorian wine regions showcase – an unsustainable event?

3 January 2009 | 1 Comment

Update 14 January 2009: I think my critique has been at least partially justified by the 2009 schedule and pricing of the event – it is now $25 (plus $2 glass hire). It appears to be a clear attempt to deter the casual drinks crowd. I hope it works.

I have been attending the monthly Victorian wine regions showcase at Federation Square for over two years now. I go each month to taste regional wines to educate myself about their unique qualities and differences.…

Scion winery, Rutherglen

27 November 2008 | Comments Off

wineries wine victoria travel rutherglen regional customer service business

Scion in Rutherglen is one of my favourite and one of the best boutique wineries in Victoria. Vigneron Jan Milhinch is one of the most illuminating people in the wine industry that I have met. She is extremely welcoming at the cellar door, and has a manner unlike most other winery owners or staff. Some Cellar door staff seem only interested in sales and not in communicating to their customers. Jan sells the story of Scion as much as she sells wine, and it is the uniqueness of this approach that makes visiting Scion so much fun.…

oh the indignity

19 November 2008 | Comments Off

wineries wine victoria travel regional echuca

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.…