By Kath Gannaway
OAKRIDGE Yarra Valley has launched into spring in spectacular fashion in both the winery and the restaurant … and, that can only be great news for patrons.
Hospitality director Danny Kane said recent wine competition awards and recognition in the Age Good Food Guide highlighted their passion for providing an unforgettable wine and food experience.
The restaurant rated 14 out of 20 in the Good Food Guide, their highest score ever, putting Oakridge in the top seven restaurants in the Yarra Valley.
In the Federation Square Victorian Regional Wine awards in August the 2008 Pinot Noir took out the judges’ choice award, and in the Small Vigneron’s Awards in Canberra, Oakridge was awarded four gold medals with their 2009 Oakridge Fume Limited Release and 2009 Oakridge Lieu-dit emerging as trophy winners.
That marriage of food and wine is where Oakridge shines.
“It’s very important to us; it’s why we use Yarra Valley produce wherever we can, and why our winemaker David Bicknell has produced wines specifically for the restaurant,” Mr Kane said.
“When David made the blanc de blancs sparkling he made it very much with the view that when you have a restaurant you have to have a sparkling wine,” he said.
The Oakridge viognier dessert wine is also designed to complement aspects of the menu.
“Our staff are trained in food and wine matching. The menu is constantly changing and when it does we sit down with the chef and the conversation is about getting the best food/wine experience,” Mr Kane said.
The restaurant is open for lunch every day from 10am to 5pm offering an a la carte menu or the ‘express lunch’ offering a choice of two courses from the three-course menu along with a glass of wine, tea or coffee for $35.
Once a month there is a specialty dinner. This month it’s ‘duck dinner’ offering five courses of duck matched with Oakridge wines.
In addition to the a la carte menu there are enticing cheese and tasting plates as well as coffee and cake.
Spring is when the Yarra Valley’s wineries come into their own and at Oakridge the food, wine, and with more than a sprinkling of rain, the views have never been better.
Oakridge Yarra Valley is at 864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream. Phone 5964 9585.
