As clichéd as it can be sometimes, I really do love the changing seasons. I embrace it. It’s probably why I choose to live in Melbourne where I can get all four in one day, sometimes in a morning!
Once I’ve gotten over the fact that warm weather is over for another summer I actually embrace the cool mornings, crisp days and cold nights and the home menu and the wines I drink move to richer more robust, soulful styles.
OK, so I did run up to Palm Cove to the beautiful Peppers Beach Club & Spa for one last hurrah at Easter. That’s the beauty of the Peppers offering, it covers the Australian climate from, quite literally, the top of the continent to the bottom. You can choose just about anything you desire.
This month I’m hosting the first event in my Great Wines of Australia series and we are off to Peppers Gallery Hotel in Canberra at the end of May for a huge wine dinner. I’ve brought together the star winemakers in the region including Clonakilla, Lark Hill, Helm, Nick O’Leary, Lerida Estate, Eden Road, Ravensworth and Mt. Majura and we are drinking the best of their trophy and multi-award-winning wines.
Canberra Times food critic (and winemaker at Clonakilla and Ravensworth) Bryan Martin is joining me as co-host on the night, all set against a hearty four-course menu at Bicicletta Restaurant. Book in early as this will sell out fast.
I’m also off to the rich pickings of the Southern Highlands in June where we are heading on the local food and wine trail. Peppers Executive Chef, Warren Brook, is always on form at the beautiful Peppers Craigieburn and the mix of wines will include the best of the local offering as well as some of the greatest names from around Australia.
Cheers and see you at Peppers!
Nick Stock
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Includes two tickets to the "Great Canberra Wine Dinner" featuring an Italian menu, a night's accommodation, buffet breakfast, bottle of local wine, cheese platter on arrival and midday checkout. Book now >