Hello friends of Hive.
It’s a much-needed break from Melbourne’s eternal ice age. I’ve always been waiting to experience this place in the summer, but let’s be real. Melbourne’s weather is like a reality TV show, dramatic and unpredictable with multiple plot twists in a single day.
On the day of the winery visit, the weather was doing its best impersonation of normal. Sunny, pleasant and full of bees and birds, all out there like they were auditioning for a Disney movie. I usually dream of witnessing a harvest season, but somehow, I always manage to miss it. It’s like my personal Olympics of bad timing.
Tasting Room
As I strolled into the winery, I was drawn by racks of wine bottles with names so unique and quirky. It made choosing one feel like a wine-based IQ test.
I knew instantly that I’d have to order a wine flight because when life hands you too many choices, you just have to taste them all. 😋
Clearly, I’m not committing to a single bottle before this palate goes on a wine tour of its own!
We walked into the dining room and as we passed through the hallway. The place was lit up with golden bulbs, making it feel like we were about to sit down for a feast. One wall was a masterpiece of brown, with animals carved into it. Honestly, it looked like a farm had been redecorated by a trendy interior designer.
On the other side, waiters and staff were hustling trying to get plates for their customers.
Just look at the menu, these wine names are so unique. How am I supposed to choose between ‘LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH’ and ‘ARE YOU GAME?’
ARE YOU GAME?
2021 ARNEIS
STONE DWELLERS
2023 RIESLING
LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH
2020 SHIRAZ
THE EXCEPTION "COWBOY"
2018 SHIRAZ
From the left to right the wines were paired with
Seared scallep with lime and figs.
Duck terrine
Brie, prosciutto and pistachios
Goats cheese, dates, pistachio and maple syrup
My favourite among the four was - The Exception “Cowboy” paired with Goats cheese, dates, pistachio and maple syrup.
The Cowboy shiraz is loaded with American oak bringing in vanilla notes for a sweet yet punchy treat. The tartness of the goats cheese cuts through this richness, whilst the dates & maple syrup balance & add depth to the overall flavour.
After ordering lunch, we had some time to kill, so naturally, we wandered around and admired the décor because who doesn’t love a good wall filled with antlers? It was like the restaurant had gone for the ‘fancy lodge meets hunting enthusiast’ vibe.
The golden pig on the counter completely stole the spotlight. I mean, forget the fancy décor, this shiny blinged-out swine was basically the Beyoncé of the room.
Here's What I Had:
Crispy Pork Belly - $34
With Asian greens, fried eggplant, savoury peanut kare-kare sauce.
Table of Feast
It was a feast for the eyes and the soul, a table overflowing with enough decadence to make anyone jealous. The table was a true feast, piled high with flavors from every corner of the culinary universe. It wasn’t just food, it was a full on sensory experience.
Every bite felt like a warm hug from a Michelin-starred grandma.
By the time we were halfway through the starters, it hit me that I hadn’t taken a single photo! In a panic, I grabbed my phone and managed to snap a few pics of the half-eaten masterpieces, just in time for the mains to arrive. I had to capture those beauties before we devoured them.
Starter 1: Raw Scallop, nectarine agrodolce, crème fraiche - $7
Starter 2: Fig & goats cheese tart, caramelized onion, rocket & walnut salad - $18
Here's What My Family Had from the Mains:
Grilled Lamb Rump - $42
With cannellini bean hummus, tabouli cous cous, feta, pine nuts.
Market Fish - $MP
With cauliflower puree, lemon beurre blanc, salmon roe, mustard cress.
Chargrilled Steak - $52
With crushed kipfler potato, salmoriglio sauce, rocket.
T-Bone porterhouse (500g)
We were absolutely stuffed from lunch, there was zero room left, at least-that’s what I thought. But then the sweet tooths in our family pulled the ultimate plot twist and ordered a couple of desserts. Let’s be honest, when a dessert shows up, there’s always a secret dessert pocket in your stomach. So, naturally, I had to taste them, purely for research purposes, of course! 😉
Without any further delay, let me spill the tea on the desserts we had. Trust me, these sweet treats deserve their own spotlight. The Sugar-fueled journey that could make even the strongest willpower crumble!
Crème Brülée, strawberry & pistachio biscotti -$16
The hard caramel layer of the Crème brûlée shattered like delicate golden glass, giving way to the creamy richness beneath. The crunchy sugar bed clung to the silky smooth custard, creating a perfect balance of texture and sweetness.
Dark chocolate mousse, freeze dried raspberry & feuilletine - $16
The mousse had an overpowering bitterness that overshadowed the rest of the dessert. A more subtle balance would have allowed the rich chocolate to shine without being so intense.
Coconut & mango panna colta, kiwi fruit & coconut crumbs - $16
The kiwi and coconut shavings paired beautifully, with just the right amount of sweetness balancing the fresh, tropical flavors.
Rhubarb & apple cobbler & Gundowring vanilla bean ice-cream - $16
This was my favorite one. It had the delicate sweetness of green apple and vanilla, paired with the moist, tart rhubarb for a perfectly balanced bite.
Mixed berry frangipane tart & cream - $16
2022 Wild Bouquet Moscato - $10
A juicy Moscato with a faint spritz with vibrant pale gold colour. Lime and guava aromas and silken mouthfeel and a crisp, juicy finish.
Entrance
It was a beautiful sunny day and we let ourselves wander, soaking up the warmth. Surrounded by lush green pastures, we watched as fowls ran around, adding to the lively countryside charm. Off in the distance, the breathtaking Strathbogie Range stretched across the horizon, almost too perfect to be real. Near the vineyard, bees buzzed cheerfully around the flower bushes, planted just for them to gather nectar.
As we wandered, the air was filled with an excited hum — a wedding celebration was about to begin. Guests in vibrant, festival-like attire gathered, ready to celebrate the joyful occasion, adding an extra layer of warmth and festivity to the day.
We came across sheets gently curled into circles, carefully holding the strawberry plants in place. Some strawberries were just beginning to ripen, their colors transitioning from green to a soft white. Before we left, we captured a few candid shots, savouring the moment among the budding fruits.
There were few racks filled with giftable items, but we were rushing back home, so I just clicked a few picture and much later on my sister told me that they had some amazing bath bombs that I could have bought. More about the bath bombs will be in my next post.
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