Canberra District Wine Week has just finished up with the Harvest Festival on the weekend!

And what a great line up of dinners, tastings and hands on experiences!
My week began with Matt from Long Rail Gully and Fergus from Mt Majura Winery, who were first to host after work wine tastings at Ostani, Realm Hotel.

I learnt that Canberra has great Rieslings and Shiraz and I agree. They were definitely my favourites along with that gorgeous Long Rail Gully SC dessert wine – yes, it would be perfect over ice cream.
But the Rieslings and Shiraz continued to be wonderful as I had the lovely job of planning a ladies lunch for five old school buddies in town for the weekend!
Along the way to the wineries we called in at Hops & Vine in Hall…

Not only is Hops & Vine the cellar door for many regional wines, it has great tastings of local fudge, balsamic vinegars, olive oil and Dukkah! But the shop is full of gorgeous treats.

My favourite was the Murrora 2016 Riesling – so good!

I had consulted the Food & Wine Marshall and trawled the Liquid Geography website for the best spots for lunch.

A hard task, as so many wineries were offering music, food and….wine!
But Barton Estate ticked all the boxes!

Close to town…

Art….

Music by the very talented young Nama….

A lovely family run business that Bob and Julie, both plant biologists, started in 1998.

They now have children who are involved in the winery like Georgia, whom the Estate’s Shiraz is named after.

And Marty!

Luxurious tastings to narrow down our choices for lunch and again, it was hard to beat the Shiraz – Georgia’s Shiraz!

A wonderful $25 lunch including our choice of wine and either a Harvest Platter with chicken and pork terrine, prosciutto wrapped figs on haloumi, selection if fine cheese, Barton Estate olives plus more!

Or we could have chosen with our wine the Tuscan rustic sausage and bean casserole served with bread…

Julie insists on doing everything with style. I love that thoughtfulness and attention to detail. There’s no paper plates or catering here, everything is home cooked!
And then for $15 we could have finished our meal with one of the Individual Cheesecakes with an Autumn Berry Coulis, Riesling Jelly and edible flowers and a glass of delicious Elva Late pick Riesling….

But we were off to Robyn Rowe Chocolates to try the $8 desserts on offer there.

Our favourite was the Lime and White Chocolate Mud Cake with Candied Lime Zest and whipped cream or icecream….

But the Prune and Hazelnut Torte with Frangelico Cream and icecream ….

….and the Date Meringue Gateaux with Chocolate Mousse filling served with whipped cream or ice cream, were all good choices.

What a perfect day, full of the company of gorgeous old friends, delicious wines, lovely food and the warmth and friendliness of local wine and chocolate makers, cooks and local purveyors of fine foods.
We are already looking forward to next year!