ENJOY lunch at Tokar Estate’s restaurant, dine on its terrace and take in the magnificent views of the surrounding hills and nearby vineyards.
The restaurant’s Mediterranean cuisine complements the Tokar Estate wine range, from a cool chardonnay to the rich and vibrant tempranillo, the Yarra Valley’s only Spanish variety.
Lunch choices include a la carte on weekends and public holidays, or $27 for two courses with a glass of wine. Tokar Estate has also opened its doors for a special evening experience.
Dinner is now available on Friday and Saturday nights. Bookings are essential. Phone 5964 9585.
Warramate Wines
WARRAMATE is a boutique family-owned winery, which was established in 1970. The vineyard is planted on the northern slopes of the Warramate ranges overlooking the beautiful Yarra Valley.
The vines are hand-tended and non-irrigated, producing very low yields of intensely flavoured grapes.
The resulting wines riesling, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon display lovely fruit characters when young, but have also proven to age admirably since the first commercial vintage in 1976.
In 2005, the winery released its first vintage produced from new vines planted in 2000 – the black-label shiraz, cabernet and pinot noir.
These are also 100 per cent estate-grown, and given the same attention as the old varieties.
The wines are available at the cellar door, in selected retail outlets and restaurants.
Balgownie Estate
INDULGE yourself and party the afternoon away. At Grape Grazing 2006, Balgownie Estate will offer you a feast of food, wine and music.
Treat your senses with gourmet pizzas of smoked salmon, smoked venison or vegetarian matched with Balgownie’s award-winning Yarra Valley pinot noir and chardonnay.
On Sunday afternoon, see Damian Whitty, from rock band Spiderbait, perform live showcasing his acoustic originals. On both days, you can relax to the funk and jazz of Cactus or dance to the six-piece Fate Brothers performing soul, R&B and pop hits.
Yarrawood Estate
YARRAWOOD Estate Cellar Door and Cafe is located only three kilometres from Yarra Glen, on the Melba Highway.
They offer a very casual and relaxing alternative to the bigger wineries. Yarrawood Estate is very picturesque, with views that stretch over the valley and to the Dandenongs.
Eight grape varieties are grown on the property, and all varieties are available for tasting.
Very reasonably priced snacks and cafe meals combine with low prices on their medal-winning and bin-end specials to make Yarrawood Estate a must.
Yarrawood Estate also makes a great escape from the madness of Grape Grazing, with free entry and business as usual.
Sticks
STICKS Winery and Cellar Door is a unique property just a couple of kilometres off the Melba Highway in Yarra Glen.
The cellar door is open every day and boasts some of the most breath-taking views of the Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.
Sticks Winery produces award-winning affordable wines with strong varietal characteristics.
The 2004 chardonnay has recently been awarded a place not only in the Top Ten Best Value for Money Whites under $25, but also in James Halliday’s Top 101 Wines. Soon to be released is its cellar door-only wines. The range is also available by the glass for those wanting to relax on the grounds with a picnic lunch or barbecue.
Join the Sticks mailing list by sending details to cellardoor@sticks.com.au.
Elmswood Estate
DISCOVER Elmswood Estate where 25-year-old vines produce award-winning boutique wines, with expansive spectacular views over the Upper Yarra Valley.
Stunning gardens and leafy trees encircle a relaxing pavilion. Join Elmswood Estate and enjoy the treasured Warburton Highway side of the valley.
Start with breakfast from 9.30am, then the luncheon fare will be a delight. Wild Oak Restaurant, from Olinda, will prepare a feast for you while Honey B and the Stingers entertain you.
Grape Grazing is on 18 and 19 February, from 11am to 5pm.
