From local vineyards to Tasmania and the Yarra Valley, travel editor Winsor Dobbin pinpoints some top destinations for wine and food lovers in 2025.
Orange crush
Orange, in Central Western NSW, is a popular weekend destination for Sydneysiders throughout the year – but food lovers should certainly mark the dates of March 28 to April 6 in their diaries. One of Australia’s most popular food and wine festivals returns to the country destination in early 2025.
The annual Orange FOOD Week is held in and around one of the most gourmet-oriented towns in the country, a region known for its cool-climate wines and local produce. The festival will feature close to 100 events, from Forage – a guided culinary adventure through the vineyards – to intimate dinners, hands-on masterclasses, bustling markets, and family-friendly events.
This year’s theme is “Elevate Your Plate” and it emphasises the importance of locally sourced produce and sustainable farming.
“FOOD Week is more than just a food festival; it’s a celebration of the land and the people who work it,” says FOOD Week president Charlotte Gundry.
“Our region’s seasonal produce and talented food and wine artisans make Orange the ultimate destination for those who appreciate high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
Tickets for FOOD Week 2025 are on sale now. Patrons are advised to book early, as events have been known to sell out.
Find out more at www.orangefoodweek.com.au
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Seriously classy
One of Tasmania’s most successful wine brands has unveiled a stunning new tasting room in the Coal River Valley – but you’ll need to make an appointment if you want to eat and drink.
Tolpuddle Vineyard opened its new Tasting Room outside Richmond – 25 minutes from Hobart – to the public in early December.
In addition to structured tastings featuring current release chardonnay and pinot noir alongside back vintages ($55), there will also be tasty treats on offer for those lucky enough to secure a time slot.
Tolpuddle, which released its first wines in 2012, has been a global success story with its wines praised by international critics along with a swag of trophies from leading international wine shows.
The Tolpuddle Vineyard Tasting Room is managed by Pip Anderson, previously general manager of hospitality at MONA, and is open from Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm with appointments available online.
To accompany the tasting flight, guests can also choose from a tight menu of small share plates with local ingredients featured where possible, such as Tongola Curdy goats cheese with Hazelbrae hazelnuts and Kunzea honey. Caviar is a worthy exception, though the scallops are definitely local.
The Tasting Room will also be available for exclusive wine-focused events for 15-30 guests.
Sam Bray, formerly of MONA and Manky Sally’s, has devised the menu – and the offerings are outstanding (I was lucky enough to attend a sneak preview).
In addition to the wine flights, wines will be available by the glass ($25-30) and by the bottle.
The building, surrounded by vines planted by visionaries Bill Casimaty, Garry Crittenden and the late Tony Jordan at what was then Strathayr, was designed by Hobart-based Tanner Architects and constructed by local builder Cordwell Built. The Tasting Room has large floor-to-ceiling windows providing views over the vines. Salvaged timber from the West Coast of Tasmania features throughout and there is seating both inside and out.
Tolpuddle is owned and operated by two of the canniest operators in the Australian wine business, cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith AM MW (the founders of Shaw+Smith in the Adelaide Hills).
In 2011, the pair visited Tasmania intending to buy nothing more than lunch. They tasted several wines but were impressed with the quality of wines made using grapes bought from Tolpuddle, which was planted in 1988.
They made an offer for the vineyard – which was not for sale – and made their first wines the next year.
“When we first bought the vineyard in 2011, we envisioned a day when we would build a Tasting Room in the midst of the vines to showcase our wines from this special site,” Shaw said.
“We love this vineyard and now have a tasting space so visitors can experience Tolpuddle Vineyard first-hand.”
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Yarra luxury
Elias Jreissati and his team at Levantine Hill in the Yarra Valley are obsessive about quality.
Whether it comes to architecture and design or food and wine, only best is good enough for the property tycoon and art collector.
Now the Levantine Hill precinct is preparing for a new arrival – a luxury boutique hotel on the banks of the river (top image).
Levantine Hill Hotel is set to open in June 2025 and will be part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
Within a short walk of the vines, the winery cellar door, fine dining restaurant and events centre, the new boutique hotel will offer 33 suites over two levels, each with its own living area, study and private balcony with stunning views over the vineyards and surrounding hills.
Eight of the suites will feature expansive circular baths while the Optume Suite (named after the winery’s flagship label) will have its own dressing room, open fireplace, cellar and bar, making it a great choice for a bridal suite or cocoon for couples.
Designed by Australian architects, FK (aka Fender Katsalidis), the striking hotel draws inspiration from wine barrels.
With a strong commitment to sustainability, the hotel has been built using a range of natural materials throughout, as well as plants for privacy, the implementation of water harvesting and purification.
Guests will be able to enjoy access to multiple on-site heli pads (helicopter is the perfect way to arrive at Levantine Hill), a fully equipped indoor gym, an outdoor exercise area and a 1.5 km walking track which will wind through sculpture-filled gardens featuring over 30 world-class sculptures.
Complimentary continental breakfast and a fully stocked mini bar will be included in every stay.
For more information visit https://www.levantinehill.com.au/
You can see more of Winsor’s travel tips at www.gourmetontheroad.com.