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November 7th, 2013
The Berry Tea Shop
The perfect way to kick off our tours is at The Berry Tea Shop, where owners Paulina and Cliff open a little early and indulge Foodscapers with a private tea tasting and talk. Their passion is obvious as soon as you step into this delightful sanctuary, dedicated to leading the rediscovery of a ‘proper cup of tea’.
Located in the historic town of Berry, The Berry Tea Shop is a fine tea merchant offering a collection of some of the world’s most distinctive single origin teas and tea blends. Paulina and Cliff have sourced teas from producers all around the world who still use age-old traditions and techniques, and have also created their own blends which you can drink in their beautiful cafe or take home. As well as their gorgeous teas you’ll find a wonderful range of tea pots and accessories from the very elegant to the eclectic and cool.
November 8th, 2013
The Butterfactory Cafe & Restaurant, Nowra
The Butterfactory is a wonderful old 19th century structure located in idyllic dairy country near Nowra, offering Modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh and local produce.
The menu is changed seasonally and where possible uses estate grown ingredients. The restaurant is fully licensed and has an excellent wine list, showcasing special Shoalhaven regional wines, as well as interesting wines from other Australian regions.Owner and chef, Andrew Heffill, shares with us his passion for local produce, “like many chefs I am probably a frustrated gardener at heart, but the land we have here at The Butterfactory allows me to indulge my passion for produce. It is great to put a pot of water on to boil, walk out the back door, pick enough broccoli for service and be back before the water boils to cook it!
With much of our produce, it is great to know that we plant it and nurture it, and then use it for people to enjoy. Like many chefs I am really interested in the source of our produce. Sometimes it can be a toss-up – do we use local or the best? But, when it is the best – and local – that just makes us happy!”
November 8th, 2013
Coolangatta Estate, Berry
Coolangatta Estate is the site of the first European settlement on the South Coast, established in 1822.
The first grapes on the South Coast of NSW were grown on the foothills of Mt Coolangatta by Alexander Berry in the mid 1800’s, and in the 1980’s current owner Greg Bishop saw the potential to re-establish vineyards on this historic site. Owing to a 20+ year partnership with winemakers’ Tyrrell’s Winery in the Hunter Valley NSW, the family-owned Coolangatta Estate has grown to become the largest wine producer in the Shoalhaven and the most awarded winery on the South Coast of NSW.
November 8th, 2013
Roselea Vineyard, Gerringong
Roselea Vineyard was established in 1998, growing Chardonnay, Verdelho, Chambourcin and Ruby Cabernet in dark red volcanic soils. The estate grown grapes create a premium wine which is bottled locally in Gerringong.
Grapes are grown without the use of pesticides or growth hormones and they use seaweed foliar sprays rather than artificial fertilisers. Their unique wine labels feature the work of South Coast artists. In 2011 Roselea released a sparkling wine – Chardonnay Pinot Noir 09, Methode Champenoise – which was awarded a Gold Medal and ‘Best in Class’ on debut at the 2011 Kiama Regional Wine Show. A few bottles might be just the thing for your next celebration!
November 8th, 2013
Smadimi Estate
Located in Terara, 3kms east of Nowra, we enjoy our visits with Michael Stathos, owner of Smadimi Estate.
Michael is a passionate ‘backyard grower’ and supplies his fruit and vegetables to locals through his farm gate. He has all sorts of produce, ranging from the everyday, to the exotic and experimental. He also has a small-scale vineyard and has bees that make the most delicious honey. We always enjoy our guided tour of Michael’s garden and the interesting stories of his Greek heritage.
November 8th, 2013
Mountain Ridge Wines, Berry
Mountain Ridge Wines is a 75 acre working farm perched up on a ridge of Coolangatta Mountain near Berry in South Coast, NSW, which also produces beef, macadamia nuts, limes, free range eggs, lucerne and pasture hay.
The vineyard was planted in 2007 by Barry and Monique Starkey and their five sons (yes, 5!), with the grapes handpicked, and the wines produced and bottled on the property using traditional winemaking practices. In 2009 they also became the Shoalhaven’s first commercial boutique beer and ale brewery: Bolong Black – chocolate porter and Broughton Pale Ale. This is in addition to their range of liqueurs, made to a special recipe they were given when they purchased the property.