What we’ll be eating at Tastes of Rutherglen 2017

Posted on 12 January, 2017

We’ve already waxed lyrical about the charms of Rutherglen, a four-hour drive southwest, just half an hour from Albury.

We don’t need to remind you about the historical main street with its 1800s architecture or the proliferation of wineries that spread from the heart of the town.

We don’t need to refresh your memory of The Tweed Ride which saw me soaring over hills from vineyard to vineyard, dressed in vintage clothing, or the fact that there’s an actual castle you can visit (and even better, drink wine in!).

Today, we’re going to talk about food. Ok, food and maybe some wine. Just a glass or two…per meal.

We previously featured the Tastes of Rutherglen festival as the perfect autumnal getaway – a bus driving you from meal to meal, vineyard to vineyard as wine producers and their foodie counterparts come together to create a celebration of all things delicious.

This year, we’re all about the food itself. Across the weekend of 11 and 12 March, almost 20 wineries will be serving up delicious meals, all expertly paired with a delicious drop from the very vines you’ll be dining next to.

Many of the vineyards and wineries will be serving food from 11am until late afternoon, so we recommend ditching traditional meal times and squeezing in two meals in that window, perhaps elevensies and a late lunch? All meals are priced individually and include in the price the glass of matched wine- amazing bang for your vino buck!

Here’s what we’ll be eating.

SATURDAY

VALHALLA WINES

Valhalla’s food partner Louise Friend of Garden State will be serving up a Middle Eastern-inspired buttermilk brined chicken served with wood fired autumn root vegetable salad, dressed with tahini yogurt. Fresh, tangy and delicious.

Wine Match: 2016 Regional Series Beechworth Chardonnay

$20 | All Saints Road, Wahgunyah
Food served: Between 11am and 3pm

RUTHERGLEN ESTATES

Expect a stunning smoked trout salad from Tuileries Restaurant – an autumnal combination of Goulburn River smoked trout and roe, served with kipfler potatoes, avocado and a crisp fennel and lemon mayonnaise.

Wine Match: 2014 Renaissance VRM (Viognier Roussanne Marsanne)

$25 | Drummond Street, Rutherglen
Food served: 11am-4pm

SUNDAY

ANDREW BULLER WINES

Ebden and Olive will pair local Cannobie Farm Caught yabbies with Willowbank potato salad and champagne sauce. There’s also a gluten free option available.

Wine Match: 2012 Traditional Method Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay

$25 | 352 Jacks Road, Rutherglen

Food served: Between 10am and 4pm

ALL SAINTS ESTATE

Indulge in a sauté of herbed potato gnocchi, burrata, roast Oxley heirloom tomatoes and pesto from All Saints’ hatted Terrace Restaurant.

Wine Match: 2016 Sangiovese Cabernet

$25 | All Saints Road, Wahgunyah

Food served: 12-3pm

FOR THE KIDS

SCION VINEYARD

Kiddies can feast on a cheeky cheeseburger spring roll (with pickles optional) from the Woo&Co pop up restaurant at Scion. There will also be a kids colouring corner and old-school outdoor games.

74 Slaughterhouse Road, Rutherglen

Food served: 11am-4pm

CAMPBELLS WINES

Campbells’ will be serving up a classic Pizza Al Pezzo and handmade Cornetti with ham and cheddar for the little ones. There’ll also be a jumping castle in the Bobbie Burns Garden from 10-4pm.

4603 Murray Valley Highway, Rutherglen

Food served: 10am-5pm

FOR THE SWEET TOOTH

MORRIS WINES

Topaque Tiramisu. Is there anything better?

A layered delight of mascarpone mousse, hazelnut dacquise, strawberry Topaque cream, chocolate sponge soaked in topaque syrup, coffee meringue, Gianduja whipped ganache and garnished with gold caramelised hazelnuts. Divine.

Wine Match: Cellar One Classic Topaque

$20 | Mia Mia Road, Rutherglen

Food served: Between 10am-5pm

PFEIFFER WINES

Ready for something a little different? How about a rich, decadent, dark and white chocolate and cherry ricotta tart, topped with Rinaldo’s Casa Cucina signature house made chocolate ice-cream? We’ll take two please.

Wine Match: 2013 Late Harvest Muscadelle

$18 | 167 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah
Food served: 11am-4pm

JONES WINERY AND VINEYARD

Using local ingredients, Jones Café’s Stanley red delicious Tarte Tatin pairs beautifully with Riverina Dairy and Yarrawonga free-range egg Jamaican vanilla ice cream

Wine Match: 2016 MO-Jurançon style made from late- picked Marsanne

$18 | Jones Road, Rutherglen

Food served: From 10am-4.30pm

JOHN GEHRIG WINES

Zumbo who? Come try Meghan’s take on the Arnotts classic biscuit dessert challenge with a wine-infused twist.

Wine Match: Golden Goose

$20 | 1326 Gooramadda Road, Rutherglen
Food served: 10am-5pm

the essentials

What: Tastes of Rutherglen
When: Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 March
Where: A variety of locations across Rutherglen
Tickets: General admission tickets are $20 for access both days. Tickets for the event buses (admission not included) start from $27
More information and to purchase tickets: tastesofrutherglen.com.au