Grampians Estate opens The 1878 Room & Deck
The abundance and diversity of Western Victorian produce is the cornerstone of the new cellar door/cafe, The 1878 Room & Deck at Grampians Estate Winery. The World Loves Melbourne loves the culinary scene of the Grampians and this is an exciting development.
Sarah and Tom Guthrie, sheep farmers and the owners and winemakers of Grampians Estate Winery, set out to create a shopfront for their wines while also highlighting the produce of their region of Western Victoria. After 18 months of planning and nine months of renovations, they have opened the 1878 Room & Deck and it is fast becoming a food and wine hub for the region.
The cafe can accommodate up to 36 diners. During COVID-19 restrictions only 10 people are allowed at a time, however 36 can be seated on the deck outside. The team follow all COVID-19 compliance.
The menu is short, changes regularly and features Western Victorian produce. The ‘Dairy Paddock Platter,’ may include cheeses from Milawa Cheese, Meredith Dairy, Warnambool Heritage Vintage Cheddar and pastes and preserves from Mitch’s Preserves and Five Duck Farm.
Great Western Granary make a pie exclusively for Grampians Estate. The lamb, from the Guthrie’s farm is marinated in Grampians Estate Shiraz and the pie crust is made using local wheat and the terrines are by Michael Nunn’s Salt Kitchen in Ballarat. Timboon Ice cream have designed a new flavour, “The Tipsy” made with a Grampians Estate Shiraz re- duction swirled through vanilla bean ice cream.
All the producers who work with Tom and Sarah share the same ethos as Grampians Estate. They are small businesses utilising and making quality local produce. Tom and Sarah are passionate about what they do, who they work with and the cellar door is creating an opportunity for the community to feature their work.
“We are a boutique winery, as opposed to mass-producing wine,” says Tom, “our production equals 30 to 35 tonnes a year and we’re very hands-on. So developing this new arm to the business, a locally focussed winery/cafe is a natural progression of what we do.”
In the building’s new design, it is intentional that the dining room overlooks vines that are among the oldest in Victoria. Planted in 1878, these shiraz vines produce the fruit for the new limited edition 1878 St Ethels Shiraz. The 2017 St Ethels Great Western Shiraz currently holds the Premier’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Victoria and their 2017 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz is rated ‘Best in Australia’ in the latest Halliday Wine Companion.
The Guthrie’s worked with Fitzroy-based Therefore Studio to design the space. Therefore Studio have designed interiors for businesses such as Milton Wine Bar in Malvern, Vacation in the CBD and Fitzroy’s Mile End Bagels and their brief in the Grampians was to honour the existing architecture of the building - built in 1987 - and give it a contemporary edge.
The space has been opened significantly providing an aspect overlooking the vines and the landscape. Cathedral ceilings, large windows streaming loads of natural light, wood finishes and carefully placed greenery create a welcoming room with a large space for outdoor dining available.
The Grampians Estate Cellar Door is open daily:
10am – 4pm for wine tastings
Seated wine tastings currently available
11am – 3pm kitchen menu available
Bookings preferred
1477 Western Highway
Great Western VIC
(1km from the township of Great Western, towards Melbourne)
03 5356 2400
grampiansestate.com.au