Oakridge celebrates new arrivals

WITH the arrival of spring, Oakridge is celebrating a few new arrivals of its own.
The winery’s cellar door will welcome the arrival of a range of latest release wines in the coming months and the onsite cafe will introduce a new menu this week.
Cellar door and cafe manager Matt Crosbie said staff was looking forward to showcasing Oakridge’s latest achievements in food and wine.
“Our new spring menu starting this week will see a shift in the seasonal produce which forms the basis of all our dishes,” he said.
“There will still be a focus on local produce, but the dishes will be lighter and fresher to match the season.”
Mr Crosbie said the cafe would continue to offer popular dishes such as Oakridge’s own regional antipasta platter and local cheese platter, but visitors would also notice a few changes.
He said the menu would feature a range of new fresh seafood dishes, mouth watering salads and delicious chicken dishes.
“The whole idea behind the new menu is to enhance the ways in which the food we serve matches the quality wines we make,” Mr Crosbie said.
In addition to the menu line up, Oakridge is also introducing a list of new wines made by resident winemaker David Bicknell.
One of the new wines is the recently released 2003 Oakridge Chardonnay, which won the Best Chardonnay Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show last year.
“The 2003 chardonnay has wonderful hints of vanilla, a lovely creamy texture and is an elegant, beautifully balanced wine perfect for drinking this spring,” Mr Crosbie said.
Also currently available is the Oakridge 2001 Vintage Sparkling.
“The 2001 sparkling is also a lovely drinking wine. It has a terrific fresh palate and is perfect with oysters,” Mr Crosbie said.
In October, the winery will release a fume blanc, a style of wine new to the Yarra Valley.
“The fume blanc, a sauvignon blanc that has been oaked, is an old style wine coming back into fashion and as far as we know we are the only winery in the Yarra Valley making it,” Mr Crosbie said.
The winery will also release its first ever riesling and a range of premium wines, known as the 864 Range, later this year.
“It is an exciting time for Oakridge and visitors are always welcome to come by, taste our wines, have a spot of lunch or a cup of coffee and enjoy our spectacular views,” Mr Crosbie said.
Oakridge is located at 864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream. The cellar door is 10am to 5pm seven days a week and the cafe is open for lunch and coffee seven days a week from 11am to 3pm. Phone 9739 1920.