March 2007

The nights are starting to get cooler, but the sunny days still see customers lounging around on the verandah watching the day go by!! And it is still fine enough to enjoy the music of Mainstream playing out on the lawn on Sundays.

The long dry summer has caused havoc with local producers and our summer menu. Lovely fresh produce that we normally enjoy all the way through to March and April has been lacking in quantity, so we have had to make our menu change a little earlier than usual. Late March will see our Autumn menu begin, but still feature some of our lighter summer dishes.

The vineyard is reaching its crucial picking cycle, with the white nets draping over the landscape we know the time is near .... everything is certainly abuzz at Wild Cattle Creek.

Chef's Table Dinners

Our Indian Chef's Table was well attended on February 2nd and guests were very receptive to George's discussion on Indian cuisine. But, the dinner was to farewell our chef Dean, who is now staying on with us a little longer, due to unforseen circumstances delaying his overseas trip. Never mind, we are happy that he is able to stay a little longer!

Dean will see yet another Chef's Table Dinner on June 1st. The theme will be Mushrooms to coincide with Mushroom Mania promotion. If you like mushrooms and are eager to learn more about the lovely funghi, be sure to book in for this one. The all inclusive price of $60 per person will include your 4 course dinner, wine and some sensational mushroom recipes as well as a lively discussion and presentation on mushrooms.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

As part of our participation in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Age Good Food Guide Restaurant Express menu will be available for lunch from March 16th to March 30th. For $30 you can have a 2 course lunch with a glass of Wild Cattle Creek wine for $30. This event is always popular, so make sure you book ahead!

Vintage 2007

2007 is sure to be remembered as a disastrous year for Yarra Valley, but at Wild Cattle Creek we have been very fortunate and escaped the frosts in October, not been affected by Phyloxera threat, and have been able to irrigate a little (although not as much as required) from the vineyard dam.

This has resulted in grape size and weight being down and picking has been earlier than usual. A shortage of good fruit in the valley has seen production overall drop and the only fruit that is difficult to sell to winemakers is the Merlot.

The red varieties should have plenty of flavour this vintage, because of drier conditions, but this has also resulted in problems for the white varieties: should make things challenging for all of the winemakers and see some interesting and varied wines as a result of making good with the hand you have been dealt!

A reminder to all of those visiting the vineyards of not only the Yarra Valley, but any region, please do not enter the vineyard areas. Phyloxera is a devastating disease that can cause growers severe hardship and decimate the wine industry, and it is easily spread from one property to the next through soil particles carried on shoes or vineyard equipment.

Cellar Door Specials

Bottling is about to begin for some of our 2006 wines and our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. We are expecting these to be available through the cellar door mid year. We will also be holding a Wine Release dinner on Friday July 13th.

In the meantime, drop into the cellar door to taste our full range of wines and we always have a special buy available. Our 3 pack for $50 is presented in a black box and makes a great gift idea, and add in some Wild Cattle Creek wine glasses as well for an extra special package.

2005 Wild Cattle Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Characteristics

• Colour: deep rich purple
• Nose: mulberry and plum with suggestions of spicy oak
• Palate: fresh brambly berry and plum. Still youthful and exuberant with crisp acid, suggesting cellaring excellent cellaring potential with firm clean tannins to fill the mouth
• Food Matches: game pie with a spicy plum or berry sauce

2006 Wild Cattle Creek Chardonnay

Characteristics

• Colour: Pale gold with hints of green
• Nose: Aromas of citrus, stonefruits, honey and light integrated oak
• Palate shows clean acid, suggesting long life and cellaring potential, with complex malo characters showing buttery, biscuity flavours and soft oak
• Food Matches: grilled pork or chicken

Weddings at Rustic Charm

Wild Cattle Creek is maturing into a superbly romantic and individual wedding venue. Complimented by the food of Rustic Charm, your wedding is guaranteed to be a truly unique Yarra Valley experience.

Having your ceremony on site is no extra charge and you will find our all inclusive packages very competitive. Whether it is a cocktail style lunch or a formal 5 course dinner that you want, we can tailor a package to suit your needs. We can cater for 20 to 150 guests and offer a variety of menu options.

In addition to our standard packages, you may choose to add on special extra touches such as chair covers and sashes, fairylight centrepieces, garden arches, candelabras or high standing floral centrepieces: our Functions Manager can assist you in making your dream wedding become a reality.

From the point of your initial enquiry through to the last person leaving, our Functions Manager is at your disposal! Jeynelle's 18 years of experience ensures that she can assist you with whatever your wedding needs.

Visit our website or visit us at the Yarra Glen Bridal expo on April 14th. www.bridalexpos.com.au

NEW HOURS

As of February 1st, we will no longer be open on Sunday nights or Tuesdays. (unless by prior arrangement)

• Lunch: Wednesday to Monday
• Dinner: Wednesday to Saturday

Coming Events

• April 22nd
  Mainstream - Playing Rock / Pop
• May 13th
  Mothers' Day
• June 1st
  Chef's Table Dinner #4 - 'Mushrooms'
• July 13th
  New Release Wine Dinner

Links