Your Travel Specialist On: Sip and Savor Australia

By MAUREEN JONES (Star Patcher)

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 drank 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. 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 pears 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.

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

Previously from Maureen:

• Your Travel Specialist On: Classic Cuba
• Your Travel Specialist On: Highlights Of England
• Your Travel Specialist On: Vienna, Austria

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street, Los Altos. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.