Two and a half weeks since touchdown Melbourne and neither of us felt that we had come up for air and thats because we havent!
Time for R&R so we decided to head out to the Yarra Valley. A beautiful wine growing region just an hours drive away, where the undulating vine laden hills and lush meadows, all painted with autumn, stretch out for as far as the eye can see.
"Take an overnight bag" he said
"You never know, lets be spontaneous"
Except, I should have known, there was nothing spontaneous about the stop over. My wonderful Hubster had it all wrapped up and we were to stay at the amazing Chateau Yering.
We checked into a beautiful suite with french doors that opened out onto a spotlessly manicured lawn.
The weather was stunning, bright blue skies and about 28 degrees with a pleasant breeze.
Serenity washed over me, I could physically feel the stress seeping out of my body and out through the tips of my toes, it really needed to.
Our "wine flight" began. (That's what they call wine tastings and I think that's pretty cool).
First stop Yering Station, lets be frank, the sparkling here was absolutely awful, so bitter! They give you the tiniest amounts to taste and of course, you drink some off the list and then choose to spit out others, those little tots can soon mount up.
Then we took a short drive up the valley and onto Domain Chandon. An absolutely stunning estate partnered by the famous champagne house of Moet & Chandon. The sparkling, the Sauv Blanc and the Chardonnay were sublime.
Eye closing stuff. We burnt some dollars here.
We had lunch at Helen's Hill vineyard in the Vines restaurant. We opted for a "natter platter", like a savoury afternoon tea with with tiers of nibble sized balsamic drenched mushrooms, stuffed bell peppers, charcuterie, chicken terrine etc and wafer thin crackers ................... a glass of reserve Chardonnay for me!
I was told I was NOT the designated driver but I think that was more to do with the fact that Hubster was checking out my new wheels!
We went to more vineyards, Tarra Warra, St Huberts, Yering Farm, Allinda and De Bortoli. Most have restaurants, delis and/or coffee shops too, so a platter of something tasty is on hand to cleanse your palate and keep you fuelled up for the next "flight".
We bought some fabulous whites and Hubster was frothing at the mouth with some of the Pinot Noirs that he tried, the boot was getting full and I began to think we'd got a problem!
We also bought lots of wonderful cheeses and fresh produce en route. The Yarra Valley Dairy was an Aladdin's cave, a mecca and a wonderland for any foodie. It had a tremendous coffee shop serving delicious little cakes.
I stood back and watched the Hubster work that cheese counter, it was an impressive little display!
It was such a lovely day, we didn't have a care in the world for the first time in as long as.....................well we cant remember. So good to feel in the moment again.
We dined that night at Eleonore's restaurant at Chateau Yering. Suffice to say it was truly fabulous.
Sometimes even your own camera can be an intrusion of privacy and memories are just as alive and vivid, so we decided no pictures, just us.
Part Two tomorrow and look out for the introduction of a very special little man.................. here's a sneak preview!
.
Time for R&R so we decided to head out to the Yarra Valley. A beautiful wine growing region just an hours drive away, where the undulating vine laden hills and lush meadows, all painted with autumn, stretch out for as far as the eye can see.
 |
| Vineyards of the Yarra |
"You never know, lets be spontaneous"
Except, I should have known, there was nothing spontaneous about the stop over. My wonderful Hubster had it all wrapped up and we were to stay at the amazing Chateau Yering.
We checked into a beautiful suite with french doors that opened out onto a spotlessly manicured lawn.
The weather was stunning, bright blue skies and about 28 degrees with a pleasant breeze.
Serenity washed over me, I could physically feel the stress seeping out of my body and out through the tips of my toes, it really needed to.
Our "wine flight" began. (That's what they call wine tastings and I think that's pretty cool).
First stop Yering Station, lets be frank, the sparkling here was absolutely awful, so bitter! They give you the tiniest amounts to taste and of course, you drink some off the list and then choose to spit out others, those little tots can soon mount up.
 |
| "Wine Flight" room at Yering Station |
Eye closing stuff. We burnt some dollars here.
We had lunch at Helen's Hill vineyard in the Vines restaurant. We opted for a "natter platter", like a savoury afternoon tea with with tiers of nibble sized balsamic drenched mushrooms, stuffed bell peppers, charcuterie, chicken terrine etc and wafer thin crackers ................... a glass of reserve Chardonnay for me!I was told I was NOT the designated driver but I think that was more to do with the fact that Hubster was checking out my new wheels!
We went to more vineyards, Tarra Warra, St Huberts, Yering Farm, Allinda and De Bortoli. Most have restaurants, delis and/or coffee shops too, so a platter of something tasty is on hand to cleanse your palate and keep you fuelled up for the next "flight".
 |
| Ready for take off on my Chardonnay Wine Flight at Tarra Warra |
We also bought lots of wonderful cheeses and fresh produce en route. The Yarra Valley Dairy was an Aladdin's cave, a mecca and a wonderland for any foodie. It had a tremendous coffee shop serving delicious little cakes.
I stood back and watched the Hubster work that cheese counter, it was an impressive little display!
It was such a lovely day, we didn't have a care in the world for the first time in as long as.....................well we cant remember. So good to feel in the moment again.
We dined that night at Eleonore's restaurant at Chateau Yering. Suffice to say it was truly fabulous.
Sometimes even your own camera can be an intrusion of privacy and memories are just as alive and vivid, so we decided no pictures, just us.
Part Two tomorrow and look out for the introduction of a very special little man.................. here's a sneak preview!
.
What a fabulous gastronomic weekend, with fantastic accommodation too, just what the Doctor ordered xxx
ReplyDelete