Taste of the Barossa Dinner with Secret Foodies
Celebrating paddock to plate produce and fine South Australian wine, our Taste of the Barossa event was held at Craft & Co in Collingwood. As an inner city foodie haven Craft & Co. was the ideal place to indulge in the standout South Australian wine-making region.
Greeting and canapes on arrival was welcome; let's just say Secret Foodies were also generous on the quality canapes! Pumpkind and Gruyere arancini and Fig shortbread with Woodside goat's curd were standout canapes.
At 5pm, Secret Foodies guests had been sent an SMS with the “secret meeting location” for the evening. Greeted by Ms Darlinghurst, Aka Alex Adams, at Craft & Co., a selection of drops from Grant Burge Wines awaited guests keen to immerse themselves in a Taste of the Barossa (and don't we love the Barossa). Arriving gradually, guests graced the polished floorboards of the upper story bar and dining area for an initial mingling as well as the canapes.
Before moving into the restaurant for dinner, it was time to crack open the bubbles. Grant Burge’s Helene Sparkling from 2006 was quickly snapped up by the mingling guests. With a glass of bubbles in hand, we were also able to meet the mysterious Ms Darlinghurst in person (the founder and driver behind Secret Foodies).
Guests were seated in a stylish manner by Ms Darlinghurst herself.
A panorama of the Secret Foodies dining scene. With masks on the table this was a signature of Secret Foodies events. We were invited by Ms Darlinghurst to wear the masks at some stage during the night.
Having taken our seats at the long tables the food began to arrive. Cured salmon, apple, fennel and cucumber salad served with a Barossa bark lavosh was a perfect match with Grant Burge Thorn Eden Valley Riesling 2016.
The entree was another standout with Gnocchi with braised duck, gremolata and cranberries served with Grant Burge Hillcot Merlot. To be honest, we are no stranger to these Grant Burge wines, often enjoying them over the years. Iconic and elegant. The aromatic full flavour of Grant Burge Hillcot Merlot 2015 - luscious and flavoursome Merlot was the stunning accompaniment to the belly warming slow cooked gnocchi. Hillcot Merlot shows what a merlot can be!
Main course was spectacular with Free range porchetta, roasted heirloom vegetables, roasting juices and Zimmy's horseradish served with Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2015. This was a dish from heaven. paired with the perfect wine.
Combining warm spice with rich fruit, the intense purple coloured wine went down a treat.
Soaking in the natural roasting sauces of one another, the shared dish consisted of free range porchetta and a plethora of roasted garden vegetables.
Alex introduced Grant Burge winemaker Craig Stansborough for a cameo talk on his passion for wine, the Barossa, and Grant Burge. Exhuming an adoration of wine and his home in the Barossa (diehard), Craig explained why he fell love with the region. A combination of factors make the Barossa what it is; including natural beauty, great wine conditions, weather, soils and accessibility to great produce.
Dessert was another showstopper with Fig clafoutis, walnut cream served with Grant Burge 10 Year Old Tawny. This was decadence overdrive.
We learned how versatile and elegant Grant Burger wines are for any occasion.
Chef at Craft & Co. excelled in his dishes constructed for the night.
Craft & Co. and Grant Burge Wines crafted a Secret Foodies menu that hit the high notes on a well organised, fun and stylish evening - inspiring guests to travel to the Barossa for standout food and wine.