Your guide to Rutherglen and King Valley wineries

Disclaimer: while this is in no way a paid advertisement, it will sound like one. These wine regions are special!

Boyfriend and I have a knack for cramming a lot into our holidays, and our Easter trip to the Beechworth region was no exception. Apart from dining our way through the region, enjoying a few beers, going on an epic drive and fitting in a few walks and a ghost tour (see here for a comprehensive overview), there was one thing we were really there for: the wine.

We got to know about these regions’ wines thanks to the Taste of Two Regions Festival in 2013, where Rutherglen and King Valley wineries came to Canberra (yay) to show off their hard work. It sparked an ongoing love affair to the point that we planned a whole trip around visiting the region. Fortunately, the Taste of Two Regions Festival is back in 2014 on 6 July.

Bridge Road Brewers, Beechworth

Bridge Road Brewers produces some damn fine craft beers, and its rustic brewery in Beechworth perfectly complements the beer and brand.

Gigi’s, Beechworth

We had one really disappointing dining experience while we were in Beechworth. This was it.

Provenance, Beechworth

Japanese-influenced Provenance’s reputation precedes it (it’s a two-hatted restaurant, after all) and it’s another ‘must-do’ for our Beechworth trip. In fact, we book our table there for Good Friday before we even think about booking anything else (including accommodation!). It doesn’t disappoint.

Bright Brewery

Following a rather long drive we end up back where we started: Bright. It’s open for Good Friday. We’ve only had (very good) pancakes (and butter!) today so, even though we’ve got dinner at Provenance in Beechworth looming, we stop in at the local brewery for a good beer and a snack.

The Butter Factory, Myrtleford

At the Taste of Two Regions festival last year (our inspiration for our trip down south!) – amongst all the wine – we obsessed about the salted hand-churned butter samples from attendee Myrtleford Butter Factory. It’s a must-do for us on this trip.

The Green Shed, Beechworth

It’s our first night in Beechworth, and we just want something quick and easy after a lunch feast and a busy afternoon of wine tasting and taking selfies. All we want is a quick and easy meal. Bridge Road Brewers – famous for their pizzas – is closed (but we eventually get to try the pizza – stay tuned for the post!). We head to the pub where there seems a decent bistro, but they’re packed. We’re told to get a beer while they try to find a table to clear, but it’s slow and no one comes to find us. We’re pretty sold on the takeaway pizza shop across the road, but I’ve seen good reviews of the nearby Green Shed and we figure we might as well see what it’s about. And we’re very glad we do!

Terrace Restaurant, Wahgunyah

In The Taratory is stepping out of the Territory for the next few posts: we headed down Beechworth way for Easter, and there’s plenty to do there. I can’t help but share some of the highlights for a location which is less than half a day’s drive from Canberra. First up: the hatted Terrace Restaurant at the All Saints Winery in Wahgunyah (near Rutherglen).

Sangoma Retreat

Sangoma Retreat is quite literally nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains*, past Richmond and Kurrajong, and down a one-car-width-wide street with gumtrees looming overhead, daring the sunlight to enter.

There’s a fence on the right at number 70, a sign, and a buzzer. Amidst the enveloping bush, you could be forgiven for being surprised by the loud, happy voice on the other end after the three hour drive from Canberra, and the person attached to the voice opens the gate and encourages us to drive on through. Beyond where the few cars are parked, there are subtle creeks with small waterfalls, and an entrance marked by rocks and tall sticks. It’s the first introduction of the Australian bush/African fusion throughout the property.