A day in the Yarra Valley

One of the outcomes from the blog that I have been enjoying the most, particularly in the last year, are the friends that I have made; I’ve found in the last year that the existing friendships I had really strengthened through 2014. No longer were we just crossing paths at launches, instead we made dates, caught up for meals, went to each other’s homes for meals and frankly, it’s been glorious fun. 

Wince, Adrian, his partner Chris and I started by bonding one launch somewhere over tv shows that we all liked (cough cough reality tv cough cough) and decided to meet up at one of our houses to have marathon sessions, with awesome food in the mix as well of course. 

That was almost some two years ago now I think (how time flies!), with more meet ups and tv viewing sessions together. Each time we’ve always had a blast (and departed from the meet up feeling very rotund!) 

At the end of last year, we decided to take to the road, and do a little day trip out to the Yarra Valley, which I dragged Brad along to as well. 

I forfeited my ability to drink copious amounts (which doesn’t really exist anyway, thanks Asian genes) and we simply had the most gorgeous day out. 

I think it had been so long since I visited a winery, I forgot firstly, just how beautiful the country is simply an hour out of town, and secondly, just how much fun winery visiting was. 

Our first stop was naturally Domaine Chandon, one of the heavyweights in the area for the all important bubbly tasting flight, which is well worth it for around $20. We had no problem sharing this at all, especially with a huge plate of charcuterie (which I forgot to take a picture of) and the absolutely stunning views, with the sun shining, around us. Ahhh.

We then made our way to Medhurst Wines for lunch, on the recommendation of one of dad’s friends, which ended up being absolutely perfect for us. 

It’s a bit of the main road, down a dirt road and cresting up to a small hill, with a modest sized cellar door and cafe greeting us as we pull up. With sunning chairs out on the grass, overlooking some of the vines, and cheery umbrellas popped up, it’s quite easy to see there’s a pretty relaxed vibe going on here.

When we step into the cellar door and cafe, all eyes go straight to the stunning vanilla slices, impossibly tall, which are only made of the weekends, and before we can even look at a menu for savouries, Adrian’s ordered one for the table, which we promptly devour. Oh so much lightness and fluffiness....!

The style of the cafe is exactly what we needed in the Yarra Valley, a tiny menu, with a couple of paddles to share, and a few other small nibbles and panini, it was casual, unpretentious and very, very affordable.

The winemaker’s paddle, with Istra ham, salami and smoked beef, seasonal vegetables and cornichons, is a very solid offering, I particularly like the spicy salami. However it’s the fisherman’s paddles that surprises and intrigues us the most. With Buxton smoked trout pate, Huon smoked salmon, white Italian anchovies, herb mayonnaise and crusty bread, it’s definitely a nice alternative to the usual charcuterie platter. The Buxton smoked trout pate in particular is intensely delicious, fresh and sweet, the smokiness in it was quite subtle, allowing the trout flavour to come through beautifully. 

We also grabbed an extra serve of the trout pate and chorizo; I initially thought we surely wouldn’t have enough food for the 5 of us, but after polishing the vanilla slice off, all the savouries and a serve of the flourless chocolate brownie; heated up and served with cream, we were very, very, very comfortable!

The wines at Medhurst were great too, I was particularly fond of their dessert wine, which is called ‘Frances’, which is not at all like the usual sticky dessert wines that most people might be accustomed with. Instead, Frances is light, with lovely little honey notes, the perfect summery dessert wine. 

Gosh we're a fabulous group!

We next pop into TarraWarra Estate for a quick peek (and since we’re cheapskates skip out on the tasting because we didn’t feel like paying a fee, although by this point we had had plenty of wine already…). TarraWarra is simply beautiful as well, and feels a little bit like a modern art gallery when you walk in. We did have a look at the menu which did look very good, so may plan in the near future to come back for lunch…

We also stopped into Dominique Portet for their delicious Rose, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery, which I found to be a bit overhyped really. Maybe as well after all the lovely and laid back wineries we went to, the intensity level of kids over-dosing on free chocolate samples was a little bit too much to take, not to mention the ice-cream that I sampled was much, much, much too sweet…even for me! 

5 hours later, some classic old school tunes, and driving by a paddock just as a bull mounts a cow (seriously, I’ve never seen a bull jump that high ever…actually I’ve never seen them jump ever…; our timing was impeccable), we were well fed, had had plenty of lovely wine and laughs for miles. 

Since then, Brad and I have made a surprising amount of visits back out to the Yarra Valley, as it’s really so close and just so easy to do…definitely foresee far more winery visits this year; hopefully with all my friends in tow! 

Domaine Chandon

727 Maroondah Highway

Coldstream 3770

Medhurst Wines

24 Medhurst Road

Gruyere, Yarra Valley 3770

TarraWarra Estate

311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road

Yarra Glen 3775

Dominique Portet

890 Maroondah Highway

Coldstream 3770

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery

35 Old Healesville Road

Yarra Glen 3775

Launches - MOJO Wines - Heartattack and Vine - Jasper Kitchen - Frankie Says

Disclosure: I was invited to the below events 

Last year was a busy year! Here’s a couple of launches and invites that I was invited to that I (still) haven’t gotten around to sharing with you all!

Mojo Wines

The email invite was elusive, colourful and down right gorgeous; a smattering of spring colours. Although I may not have heard of MOJO Winemakers before, it didn’t take me too long to respond back with an enthusiastic yes to the launch of Studio MOJO!

Studio MOJO are MOJO Winemakers new look wines, and they have partnered with local Australian artists, Ghost Patrol, Kirra Jamison, Barbara Kitallides and Luci Everett, to design art to go on the wine labels. 

Considering that many people I know (myself included) will often buy wine by looking at the label, this is quite a clever move, and a great way to support the local art community as well!

When I arrived at Donkey Wheel House with my friend Jason, they had blown up large versions of the artwork and backlit them, creating a stunning art gallery really. I was particularly smitten with Barbara Kitallides passionate abstract piece for the Cabernet Sauvignon. 

More than just being beautiful though, the wine is dangerously easy to drink; I brought a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon to a barbecue the other day and was surprised I got through almost all of it without falling asleep, or getting a headache (being Asian is no fun, believe me!).

Highlights also included their 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, which we were the first to try; light fresh and fruity with passionfruit and guava coming through. And let’s not forget that Moscato of theirs, light, sweet and easy with dessert…too easy. 

Food that night was catered for by the Tommy Collins Group, with Michael Fox at the helm as head chef, who prepared some of the best catered food I had all year. The smoked chicken breast sandwich was a universal favourite, with smoked chicken breast that’s actually been pureed, dehydrated and made into a crisp, with more chicken sandwiched in-between. Honestly. An all protein chicken sandwich? Fitness buffs, take note!

One of my other favourites that evening was the dessert, with raspberry and almond, a bit of sponge, a bit of sorbet and other sweet yummy textural things that had me reaching for another cup….

Heartattack and Vine

3052/329 Lygon Street

Carlton VIC 3053

Honestly, I didn’t stay very long at the launch of Heartattack and Vine, it was a little bit too many people, too small a space and a very hungry boyfriend to deal with (one of those incidents where ‘hangry’ actually happened).

However, from the little bit I had to nibble on, it all tasted very promising, fresh and full of flavour. The fried olives I could have easily eaten a bowl of, and although we questioned how practical communal meatballs were in such a busy environment, they were very well received as well. And those mozzarella nibbles? Mhmm.

I loved the fit out as well, it was cosy, and the window frames suspended from the ceiling were certainly an interesting touch.

Although it’s only a small addition, Heartattack and Vine is exactly what Lygon streets need, an easy to approach all day eatery, with quality nibbles and a good drop behind the bar as well. Looking forward to popping by soon! 

Jasper Kitchen

Jasper Hotel

489 Elizabeth Street

Melbourne 3000

Hotel restaurant’s. They’re not usually where a foodie might plan to go, but with Melbourne’s food scene being so saturated and in front of the curve, I have to say, I’m actually pretty impressed with some of the offerings Melbourne hotels have. 

My family and I have always loved Allegro at the Westin for it’s consistency and quality and the new Sheraton has the Little Collins Street Kitchen which has also been another pleasant surprise, along with East, which has been developed by Hu Tong.

Jasper Hotel can also add itself to the list, with their new refurbishment and launch of Jasper Kitchen, with head chef Bruno Lima overlooking the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Lima has got the rock n’ roll looks, but none of the attitude, with a big beaming smile as he introduced himself, and explained the Brazilian influence on the food, which comes from his own background. 

This is most present in the tapas, which we greedily devour, from the calamari con chilli, with apple saffron allow to the Seta al Ajillo, mushrooms cooked in garlic, olive oil and chilli. He’s not afraid to relinquish big and bold flavours in the food, and even in small bites, there’s nice big hits of spice and definitely garlic. Happy places. 

The Albondigas de Carne are also incredibly popular, wagyu meat balls braised in tomato salsa, which are tender, with the lovely rich flavour of the wagyu coming through and balanced out by the acidity in the salsa. 

The mains have more of a fusion approach to them, with plenty of Asian ingredients coming into the mix such as tempura soft shell crabs, and shiitake mushrooms in the risotto. Well, with the exception of the red meat, which is cooked perfectly. 

Dessert goes back to being quite classic, with excellent vanilla-y creme brûlées, and decadent shiny chocolate cakes, which are well received around the table. 

My only thought is that perhaps the food theme at Jasper Kitchen is a bit disjointed, but as a hotel restaurant you do have quite a large demographic to cater for, so there’s definitely something for everyone here!

Also got a little tour of the hotel, and loved this communal courtyard on the first floor, perfect for wedding groups! 

Frankie Says

15 Acacia Place

Richmond 3067

I’m super excited for Frankie Says to open. To be located out the back of a residential apartment opposite the road from IKEA, it was a surprisingly gorgeous spot, especially on the cool and breezy evening we were getting, right next to the river, surrounded by greenery, in a lovely paved courtyard area. 

Throw in some live easy listening music and delicious nibbles, and I think we’re all good hey?

Frankie Says is Megan Phillis and James Meehan newest project, they also brought us Hoy Pinoy, The Meatball Company and the Melt Shop, set to open very soon in Mid January, 

The food they had for us to pick at was exactly the kind of food I want to eat all day everyday. Beautiful cured meats, cheeses aplenty; the mozzarella was to die for, spelt (!) bread and baked goods and pickled vegetables everywhere. It was a stunning and delicious spread; I’m petty sure I went back for thirds!

Let’s not forget the desserts, with meringue mushrooms and chocolate and matcha soil, decadent caramel goodies, sticky homemade marshmallows and rich cholately cake. Might have gone for fourths. 

We also got to sample wines from their ‘Frankie Says’ range, with a the Riesling being a favourite of mine. 

I’m particularly looking forward to breakfast at Frankie Says, as it’s such a lovely setting and would be such a soothing way to start the day. Better keep an eye on them…!