A Glassful of Gippsland
Gippsland stretches from the outer fringe of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to the New South Wales border, with mountain ranges to the north and over 400km of coastline to the south. Wineries throughout the region take advantage of varying soil types and microclimates to produce distinct cool climate vinos. Take a weekend to explore some of the best cellar doors in Gippsland and enjoy a taste of all this lush, pastoral land has to offer. With that, here are four wineries you’ll want to add to your itinerary.
HARMAN WINES
Set in the midst of peaceful, open farmland, Harman Winery offers a peaceful and refreshing cellar door experience. Founders David and Nicole Harman lovingly developed the vineyards on the site of an old horse stud ranch, with a vision to create a place where friends and families could meet together and share good food and drinks. Winemaker David has spent years researching and refining his wines, introducing old-world techniques that are rarely seen today.
Sit out near the vines and enjoy a drop of pinot gris, sauvignon blanc or rose from the cellar door. Book in for lunch or dinner and enjoy a selection of shared platters, tapas, salads, woodfired pizzas and desserts. Harman proudly partners with local suppliers including Bassine Cheese, Prom Coast Ice Cream and Beand to deliver a menu of delicious favourites. Visit on Sundays and long weekends and be treated to live music feat, talented local musicians.
Open Friday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Bookings recommended.
612 Korumburra-Inverloch Rd, Wattle Bank.
03 5611 3857 harmanwines.com.au
NARKOOJEE
An aboriginal word meaning “place of flowers”, Narkoojee sits nestled in lush bushland, hemmed in by the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Originally established as a dairy farm in the 1940s by Edna and Athelstan Friend, it was their son Harry who planted the first vines in 1980. From a weatherboard bungalow turned cellar door and a winery based in the old butter factory in Glengarry, the business has grown to be a first-class destination for the discerning connoisseur.
Renowned for their fine chardonnay and merlot, Narkoojee also produces a range of styles including pinot noir, shiraz, viognier and cabernet sauvignon. The cellar door offers wine tastings as well as wine, cheese and local produce sales. Between Thursday and Sunday, satisfy your appetite with lunch in the adjoining restaurant, where a seasonal menu offers a taste of Gippsland’s delicious locally-produced foods.
Cellar door open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30am till 4:30pm.
220 Francis Road, Glengarry.
03 5192 4257 narkoojee.com
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DIRTY THREE WINES
A good wine speaks to the ground – or dirt – it was grown from. Dirty Three Wines is named for the three small vineyards that supply the winery with expertly grown grapes, harvested at just the right moment to create outstanding wines. Co-owner Marcus Satchell grew up in South Gippsland and has spent the better part of his life working with wine makers at home and abroad, learning just about everything there is to know about the business of producing virtuous vinos. Amidst consulting, wine judging and talking shop, Marcus can often be found pruning and tending to the vines that grow across the three vineyards. Wife and co-owner Lisa Sartori oversees the day to day tasks of pruning, mowing, netting, bookkeeping and driving deliveries, and can also be found welcoming guests at the Inverloch site’s cellar door.
Sample delicious varieties including pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, rose and sparkling at the beautifully appointed cellar door, a chic blend of rustic charm and modern style. They offer a short and sweet lunch menu of dishes designed to pair perfectly with the wines on offer, drawing from the rich produce of the area.
Open Thursday to Sunday from 12pm till 5:30pm.
Bookings not required for groups under 8. 64 Cashin Street, Inverlock.
03 5606 8128 dirtythreewines.com.au
Article by Rebekkah Wilde Photography by Rob Blackman
WARATAH HILLS
Set in the stunning scenery of Gippsland’s gateway to the spectacular Wilson’s Promontory, Waratah Hills was founded in 1996. With a nod to the Burgundy wine-growing region of France, the vines were tightly planted on low trellises, and are still grown in this style today. Owners Neil and Judy Travers have maintained a hands-on approach to tending the vineyards, from picking to pruning, as well as a focus on minimal intervention and traditional winemaking methods. With wine makers Marcus Satchell and Mal Stewart, they produce sophisticated chardonnay, pinot noir, sparkling and rosé wines.
A former tractor shed houses the cellar door and restaurant, where guests can sip their way through a wine tasting and order from a seasonal menu filled with local produce – much of it grown on the same property. Choose from beautifully presented cheese boards, grazing platters, share plates and decadent sweet treats. As well as wines, the restaurant offers a range of drinks including local Fish Creek Gin, beers and soft drinks.
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 5pm.
Kitchen closes at 3pm. 20 Cottmans Road, Fish Creek.
03 5683 2441 waratahhills.com.au