Wine Weekend

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August

Highlighting Victoria’s superb wine regions is a weekend of one-off celebrations – winery lunches, dinners and special cellar door tastings – with guest appearances from some of our favourite Melbourne sommeliers, much-loved food and wine writers, and other personalities.

AROUND MELBOURNE

YARRA VALLEY

Sunday Lunch at TarraWarra Estate

Special guests: Luke Mangan with sommelier Sally Humble, Cutler and Co. (Fitzroy)

It’s Sunday Lunch at TarraWarra Estate, where the best of the Yarra Valley and Burgundy meet in one fabulous location. Settle in for the afternoon and enjoy a four-course degustation menu chosen by leading chef Luke Mangan and matched by top sommelier Sally Humble to TarraWarra Estate wines and selected Burgundies.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Where: TarraWarra Estate Wine Bar, Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen
Cost: $125.00 (includes all wines), $75.00 (food only)
Bookings: 03 5957 3510

Burgundy Sunday at TarraWarra Estate

Special guests: Luke Mangan with sommelier Sally Humble, Cutler and Co. (Fitzroy)

It’s Burgundy Sunday at TarraWarra Estate, where the best of the Yarra Valley and Burgundy meet in one fabulous location. Settle in for the afternoon and enjoy a four-course degustation menu chosen by leading chef Luke Mangan and matched by top sommelier Sally Humble to TarraWarra Estate wines and selected Burgundies.

GEELONG

Meet-the-Producers Market at Bellarine Estate

Special guests: Local Bellarine Peninsula producers

Held in Julian’s Restaurant, this market will showcase the extensive range of regional products that Bellarine has to offer – with local producers available to discuss their products, provide samples and sell their delectable wares. Tasting plates featuring goods from guest producers and Bellarine Estate’s award-winning wine or beer will be available for purchase.

When: Saturday 1 August, 11.00am
Where: Bellarine Estate, Portarlington Road, Bellarine
Cost: $15.00 (includes tastings and a glass of wine or beer)
Bookings: 03 5259 3355

Tastes of the Region Wine Luncheon at Bellarine Estate

Special guests: Pete Evans with sommelier Bryan Forte, Lamaro’s (South Melbourne)

Celebrated chef, author and TV presenter Pete Evans joins Julian’s Restaurant at Bellarine Estate to celebrate the immense variety of food and wine of Victorian provenance. Pete will be involved in creating a spectacular five-course luncheon with matching wines recommended by Bryan Forte of Lamaro’s. Each course will consist of tastes from the bay, the farm gate and some decadent desserts.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm for 12.30pm start
Where: Bellarine Estate, Portarlington Road, Bellarine
Cost: $120.00
Bookings: 03 5259 3355

NORTH-EAST VICTORIA

BEECHWORTH

Amulet Vineyard Winter Spirit Experience

Guest sommelier from Scorched Restaurant (Torquay)

Come and visit the highlands of Beechworth and experience the winter spirit at Amulet Vineyard. Select from dishes showcasing local produce, such as Beechworth Cider and Thai-inspired pumpkin soup, King Valley Fine Foods olive grove–raised lamb, rosemary and olive pie, or Hook & Spoon Moroccan-style mutton served with couscous. Amulet wines are available by the glass with these and other offerings – try 2008 Pinot Grigio, 2006 Sangiovese, 2005 Sparkling Shiraz and more.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Where: Amulet Vineyard, Wangaratta Road (11 km from Beechworth)
Cost: Menu prices
Bookings: 03 5727 0420

CENTRAL VICTORIA

BENDIGO

Balgownie Estate Wine Tasting

Guest sommelier: Quentin Ferguson, Vue de monde (Melbourne CBD)

Balgownie Estate is celebrating Victorian produce through their cellar door. Chat with our guest sommelier Quentin Ferguson from Melbourne’s celebrated Vue de monde as you enjoy a selection of dips, dukkah, bread and cheese as delicious local accompaniments to the wine.

When: Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August, 11.00am – 5.00pm
Where: Balgownie Estate, Hermitage Road, Maiden Gully
Cost: Food selections from $12.90
Bookings: 03 5449 6222

HEATHCOTE

Unearth Victoria at Shelmerdine Vineyards

Guest sommelier: Oliver, St Jude’s Cellars (Fitzroy)

Join us on the Winter Wine Weekend as we, along with Oli from St Jude’s Cellars in Fitzroy, unearth the secrets of some of Victoria’s best wine and produce regions, focusing on Heathcote and the Yarra Valley. Ever wondered why certain grape varieties perform best in certain climates, why Heathcote produces such iconic Shiraz, what makes the Upper Yarra Valley so unique, and why grape varieties like Viognier taste so different?

At 12pm come along for a regional master-class, followed by local beef daube braised in our wood-fired oven, a stroll through the vineyard, kitchen garden and dessert.

At 3pm we will be holding an exclusive master-class focusing on current and back vintages of our single site wines; including PHI from the Yarra Valley, and our local hero, Merindoc Shiraz.

When: Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm
Where: Shelmerdine Winery, Lancefield Road, Tooborac
Cost: $40 (12pm, regional master-class, 2 course lunch & a glass of wine), $15 (3pm - single site master-class).
Bookings: 03 5433 5188 (are essential)

GOULBURN VALLEY

Mitchelton Tower Lunch

Guest sommelier: Carly Harren, Collins Quarter (Melbourne CBD)

Lunch in the iconic Mitchelton Tower, joined by our guest sommelier Carly Harren. Enjoy Preece NV LIA Sparkling on arrival. For main, a delicious salmon fillet with braised tomato, lentils and dill butter, served with Preece Semillon Sauv Blanc LIA. To follow, a dessert of baked strawberry cheesecake, served with Preece Moscato LIA, and finishing with a tour of the winery.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm
Where: Mitchelton Wines, Mitchellstown Road, Nagambie
Cost: $40.00
Bookings: 03 5794 2388

STRATHBOGIE RANGES

Plunkett Fowles Saturday Lunch

Guest writer: Ed Charles, tomatom.com

Join Plunkett Fowles and our guest food and wine writer Ed Charles to celebrate Victorian produce, including Hughes Creek lamb shank pie and hazelnut-encrusted goats curd, along with Stone Dwellers 2008 Chardonnay and The Exception 2008 Late Harvest Viognier.

When: Saturday 1 August, from 12.30pm
Where: Plunkett Fowles, Corner Hume Fwy and Lambing Gully Road, Avenel
Cost: $60.00
Bookings: 03 5796 2150

UPPER GOULBURN

Delatite Winery Sunday Lunch

Guest sommelier: Travis Howe, Coda (Melbourne CBD)

Join Delatite Winery and our guest sommelier Travis Howe for a Sunday lunch showcasing Victorian wine and produce.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.00pm
Where: Magnolia Tree Restaurant, 190 Mount Buller Road, Mansfield
Cost: $80.00
Bookings: 03 5775 2922

WESTERN VICTORIA

GRAMPIANS & HENTY

Seppelt Dine Deep Luncheon and Candlelight Tour

Guest sommelier: Evan Milne, Scorched (Torquay)

Joined by our guest sommelier Evan Milne, meet in the Seppelt Historic Foyer to begin your adventure. On arrival, enjoy a glass of our famous sparkling wine served with a gourmet cheese platter before we commence our unique candlelight tour of the underground cellars know as “The Drives”. The tour culminates in a buffet lunch in the “Brandy Nook” or “Lord Huntingfield Drive”, complemented by a selection of Seppelt premium wines.

When: Saturday 1 August, 11.30am, lunch at 1.00pm
Where: Seppelt Great Western, Moyston Road, Great Western
Cost: $80.00
Bookings: 03 5361 2239

BALLARAT

Tomboy Hill celebrates 25 years

Guest writer: Paul Huggett, Gourmet Traveller WINE

August 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the planting of the Tomboy Hill vineyard in Ballarat. Join producer Ian Watson, winemaker Scott Ireland and guest wine writer Paul Huggett at the historic Craig's Royal Hotel for a degustation dinner matched with the very best of Tomboy Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the last 10 years.

When: Saturday 1 August, 6.30pm
Where: Craig's Royal Hotel, Lydiard St South, Ballarat
Cost: $125.00
Bookings: (03) 5331 1377*
*Craig's Royal Hotel has accommodation packages available for the night. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

SOUTH-EAST VICTORIA

GIPPSLAND

Bass Philip Winery Lunch

Guest sommelier: Angi G, The Press Club (Melbourne CBD)

Master Chef Orita from Orita’s in Toorak, will present a four course menu. Join Angi G from the Press Club to enjoy Victorian produce including wagyu beef barbequed on vine cuttings, and cheeses from Tarago River. Taste Magnum Wines and listen to the Australian Chamber Youth Orchestra play among the vines. Museum stock will be available for purchase after lunch.

When: Sunday 2 August, 12.30pm
Where: Bass Philip Winery Tosch’s Road, Leongatha South
Cost: $150.00
Bookings: 03 5664 3341

NORTH-WEST VICTORIA

MURRAY DARLING

Trentham Estate Winery Saturday Lunch

Guest sommelier: Troy Walsh, swigwine.com.au

Join our guest sommelier and enjoy a three-course meal showcasing superb local produce including Murray Cod.

When: Saturday 1 August, 12.00pm
Where: Trentham Estate Wines, Sturt Highway, Trentham Cliffs
Cost: $48.00
Bookings: 03 5024 8888