Wine Bank on View - Bendigo

Date: Wednesday 20^th October 2010

Restaurant: Wine Bank on View, Bendigo

Address: 45 View Street, Bendigo

Phone: 03 5444 4655

Commentary : Sarah Andrew

For those of you who have not heard of this venue, where have you been? Wine Bank on View has firmly placed itself as a regional ‘must visit’ on the food and wine trail. Sitting proudly on View Street, this old bank building offers the selection and service you would expect at a fine establishment in the heart of CBD Melbourne. So it should carrying three goblets for its wine list (from Gourmet Traveller Wine, 2010), ranging an incredible selection of wine from the local region, plus the best from other regions in Australia and imports.

I found myself in Bendigo for business and decided to stay overnight to catch up with family. When I phoned to make an appointment to show wine at Wine Bank on View with wine buyer Ashley Raeburn, he informed me about the ‘Stonier Wine Dinner’ with Mike Symons (Chief wine maker and Viticulturalist). It is not very often I am able to be a guest at such events, however one quick phone call later and I had booked myself and my parents in for what turned out to be a lovely experience.

The event was held upstairs in the ‘Guard Room’, where a long table was set up to host all guests, including owners of the premises Mark and Janine Coffey. The menu including the wines paired evolved as follows:

First course

Stonier Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2007

Grilled sashimi style salmon on kipfler potato & horseradish cream

Second course

2008 Stonier Chardonnay

2008 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay

Lightly fried zucchini flowers with haloumi and lemon salad

Third course

2007 Stonier KBS Vineyard Chardonnay

2005 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay

Sumac spiced spatchcock with green olive gremolata & micro herb salad

Fourth course

2009 Stonier Pinot Noir

2008 Stonier Reserve Pinot Noir

Spice & salt cured beef with baby beet and mixed green salad

Fifth course

2007 Stonier Windmill Vineyard Pinot Noir

2006 Stonier Windmill Vineyard Pinot Noir

Duck breast with balsamic vinegar, trio of caramelized onions & orange

Sixth course

2006 Stonier KBS Vineyard Pinot Noir

Brillat Savarin (Normandy Triple Cream Brie) with fresh green apple, walnuts and ciabatta

Needless to say the night was not young by the time we left. As a lover of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and food, I had a wonderful night. All is fair in love and wine as I purchased wine from the dinner and managed to sell some new wines from my portfolio the next day to Wine Bank on View. The venue is open from 10am to late, Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 6pm on Sunday. It is a great option for a coffee, light snack or meal and definitely for a glass / bottle of wine. There is also accommodation available should you be looking to stay the night, which would be a good idea given there is so much to do and see in the area.