Sip and Savor Australia

SIP AND SAVOR AUSTRALIA

Two wonderful States are Victoria and Tasmania and both excellent for food and wine experiences. For people interested in wine, I use the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Margaret River, Western Australia, Barossa Valley, South Australia, and the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Tasmania has many wine locations to visit.

I’ve been to all the States many times, and even completed a wine making degree several years ago in South Australia . I don’t know anyone else who can say they sipped their way across Australia getting an education.

Australia lost 25% of its men in the second world war, and were desperate for immigrants. Up to that point, it was mainly settled by British people. It cost only 10 pounds for your passage to Australia. Six weeks on a ship, with all your belongings. Some people even got land as part of the package. In the 1950’s many people emigrated. In the late l940’s, six Italian wine making families settled in the King Valley of Victoria, and it became known as little Italy. Prosecco Road leads you to five storied vineyards where you can sample sparkling whites with the family descendants and pair rustic pastas with the perfect vintage. Take up a game of traditional bocce at Dal Zotto Wines and enjoy a menu of prosecco-infused canapes at the winery Sam Miranda, located in the heart of King Valley and the Milawa Gourmet Region.

Inch toward the southern coast for another twist on European sparkling wine, a sunrise hot air balloon ride, lifting you above Yarra Valley’s Domaine Chandon, a 29 year collaboration with the French Moet & Chandon has produced Australia’s own claim to Champagne. Conclude your morning drive with a pour of bubbly Blanc de Blanc during a wonderful brunch at Rochford Wines overlooking the peaks of the Yarra Ranges from the glass encased dining room.

There is a different perspective on the Mornington Peninsula with lovely beach village charm, just an hour from Melbourne. You can take a Pinot Noir tour on horseback, on bikes, and it’s a lovely place to wander, play golf, then take the ferry back to the mainland.

Tasmania is an hour’s flight from Victoria, and if you can, make sure you have a Saturday in Hobart to visit the Salamanca market. This is one of my favorite things to do, great crafts, food, and a smashing way to spend a Saturday morning walking up and down the stalls along the water front and buy grilled sausages for lunch with a beer. Recommend you visit Cradle Mountain and stay a couple of nights at the lodge. Visit the Moorilla Estate, and sample the 17 cool climate wines decanted directly from the barrel then have lunch at the restaurant which has a Michelin starred chef, Philippe Leban. Fantastic Sharaz. Tasmania is the only part of Australia which has four seasons. Don't ever go by boat to the island. Rough, rough, rough.

Close to Launceston, Josef Chromy Wines offers a great tasting experience. Visit the 1880’s original homestead showing the 200 wine show medals. You can even take an introductory lesson in fly fishing right on the lakeside estate and learn to angle for brown trout. The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail wends from Three Willows Vineyard to Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm where you should take a self guided tour. Have a salmon lunch at the Seven Sheds Brewery, and enjoy the tastes of a dozen places along this northwest route of a terrific island. Lots of convict history to learn about, no traffic, and easy driving on two lane roads. Freycinett National Park is also a great place to explore.

Two great destinations to visit at any time of year.

Maureen Jones

Aussie Specialist

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Maureen.Jones@Frosch.com www.froschvacations.com

650-961-2340 direct