Places to visit……food and wine to enjoy!

Published: 28/04/2011

Panic struck when I jumped onto our website and discovered that the news section was lacking in material. Being post-vintage for most of our wineries (Marlborough and Central Otago New Zealand are still at it) there is generally a lull and for very good reasons - everyone is exhausted. This vintage was a challenge for many and sadly some of our wineries suffered greatly as a result of the weather. Production will definitely be down, however despite this some excellent fruit has been picked and what will be released looks promising.

For the first time in ages we don’t have any awards to announce, there is also a lull in credible wine competitions at this time. What to write about I pondered…….

We have been busy behind the scenes meeting new venues and releasing new wines so why not give these venues a plug! In no particular order you will find the details of several new clients and some old favourites who are pouring our wine at present:

Black Pearl, 304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC

Cocktail / Wine Bar

Open 5pm - 3am seven nights a week

They launch their new wine list tonight and have on by the glass Georges Michel Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Marlborough); Frog Belly Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Margaret River) and Thomas Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2007 (McLaren Vale).

Joe Green, 2 Mitchell Street, Northcote, VIC

Café / Restaurant (Italian)

Open Tues - Sun breakfast and lunch; Wed - Sun dinner

This venue is bright and light with tables always in use. I have sampled the coffee and stopped in for lunch, so hope to complete my experiences with dinner soon. The menu is well priced and so too is their wine list. Our Soumah Savagnin 2010 (Yarra Valley) has just been added to the list so drop in for a meal and share a bottle.

Pope Joan, 77 - 79 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick

Breakfast and lunch venue

Open 7:30 - 3:30pm seven days a week

This is a buzzing venue with plans to extend their hours and service. The focus is on Victorian wineries so drop in for a glass of Soumah Savagnin 2010 (Yarra Valley) over lunch.

Carlisle Wine Bar, 137 Carlisle Street, Balaclava

Restaurant (Italian)

Open weekdays 3pm - midnight; weekends 11am - midnight

The food is spot on and the wine list exciting. We have on by the glass two new release wines: Thomas Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2007 (McLaren Vale) and Warner Glen Estate Cabernet Merlot 2009 (Margaret River).

Toorak Cellars

18 Beatty Avenue, Armadale

Retail / Café / Wine Bar

Open Mon - Wed 10 am - 9pm; Thurs & Fri 10am - 10pm; Sat 10am - 9pm and Sunday 11am - 9pm

This is a great little local that fits right in to the ‘boutique’ store line up on Beatty Avenue. You can drop in to purchase a bottle, stay for a coffee or upgrade to a glass of wine (cheese, dips, olives etc on offer). We have on by the glass the Warner Glen Estate Cabernet Merlot 2009 (Margaret River). You can also purchase the Lamont Pinot Noir 2007 (Central Otago) and from next week the Thomas Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2007 (McLaren Vale).

Donnini’s

320 Lygon Street, Carlton

Restaurant (Italian)

Open daily midday - 10pm

One of the first true Italian eateries in Carlton, and my favourite! The food is great and so too is the wine list. Drop in to enjoy a meal and select one of our wines including our Hastwell & Lightfoot Chardonnay 2009 (McLaren Vale); Knots Sheepshank Shiraz 2006 (Bendigo); Patrick Riesling 2008 (Wrattonbully); Warner Glen Estate Chardonnay (Margaret River); Soumah Savagnin 2010 (Yarra Valley) Thomas Vineyard Estate Reserve Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) or Lamont Pinot Gris 2009 (Central Otago).

Bistro Flor

Bistro / Restaurant (Italian & French inspired)

Open Wed - Fri for dinner; Sat & Sun breakfast, lunch and dinner

I have covered all bases at this restaurant (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and always enjoy the ambience, service and dining experience. We currently have a few wines on the list, including Patrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Coonawarra); Domaine Georges Michel Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Marlborough); Amietta Chardonnay 2009 (Moorabool Valley, Geelong).

That is all for now, but I will provide another update in a month. If you have a recommendation of a good place to visit and think our wines would work well then let me know as I am always look for new venues to discover.

Happy dining!

Cheers Sarah