Tokar Estate warms up for spring wining and dining.By Ed Merrison
SPRING is ushering in a new look to the Tokar Estate menu, with new dishes to match wines of growing distinction.
Food will be designed to accompany awardwinning wines such as the Reserve Pinot Noir and brand new Aria, a unique flagship reserve six years in the making that has already received international acclaim.
The menu kicks off in style this weekend, and is crammed with fresh produce from all over the Yarra Valley. It has a distinctly Mediterranean flavour, drawing heavily on influences from Southern France, Italy and Spain.
As the vines get older and the wines more established, the focus has shifted to wine and food matches.
One of the signature dishes will be a locallysupplied lamb fillet with sweet potato mash and a blueberry and Shiraz jus.
Other warmclimate creations, including enticing vegetarian options, will be served to suit the liveliness of the trademark tempranillo or any other wine in the Tokar repertoire.
The perfect way for midweek visitors to explore the modified menu is to drop in for the lunch special, which offers two courses and a glass of wine, plus tea or coffee, for $25.
Tokar Estate specialises in full a la carte lunches served seven days a week, though the warmer months will see a proliferation of tapas options ideal for summer grazing. Also on offer will be a Vigneron’s plate of assorted antipasto for sharing on the deck while admiring views over vineyards stretching to the surrounding hills.
The kitchen at Tokar Estate is open from 11.30am to 5pm, and dinners with personally tailored menus are available by special arrangement.
With so many fresh ideas for the warmer seasons, Tokar Estate has plenty to lure you in this spring.
