By MELISSA MEEHAN
IT’S a vineyard that was never meant to be a vineyard.
The tumbling hills of Coldstream would make it a difficult project, but the naysayers didn’t stop Elias Jreissati and his wife Coleen from building one.
Now many of the wines listed on the best wine lists come from that same vineyard, named Levantine Hill Estate.
“It’s a testament that great endeavour and effort can achieve the impossible,” Mr Jreissati said.
“There was no instant gratification, we had to plant, watch them grow, pick the fruit, harvest them and wait for the community to embrace them – and thankfully they did.”
Now Mr and Mrs Jreissati, and their business partners are taking on a new challenge.
On Tuesday, the first sod was turned as works on a new cellar door and restaurant, named Ezard @ Levantine Hill, began.
It is estimated to attract more than 100,000 visitors to the Yarra Valley annually, to employ more than 40 staff, and contribute more than $6 million to the local economy.
The partnership between celebrated Melbourne chef Teage Ezard and Levantine Hill Estate — which James Halliday described as “the most ambitious project in the Yarra Valley since the establishment of Domaine Chandon a quarter of a century ago”– was announced on Tuesday.
Along with more than 30 established cellar doors, Levantine Hill hopes to contribute to the Yarra Valley by becoming the premier gastronomic destination in Australia.
Those who spoke at the official event were somewhat poetic about what the works meant for the Yarra Valley and wine industry as a whole.
“Today, we celebrate life journeys,” Mr Jreissaiti said.
“We also celebrate the Levantine Hill Estate family members, new and old.”
Chef Teage Ezard said there was a lot of work to do, but was excited about becoming a part of the Yarra Valley.
“Elias is driven by perfection,” he said.
“And together we hope to create our own benchmark.
“When we first started talking about the restaurant, I knew it had to be bloody good.”
Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister said the turning of the sod was the moment many had been waiting for.
“I can’t wait to see this project become a reality,” Cr McAllister said.
“It is a wonderfully adventurous project,” she said.
The restaurant and cellar door are expected to open mid-2015.
Levantine Hill Estate will be located at 882-886 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream.
