AUSTRALIANTRAVELLER.COM 105
The 100 | Wining & dining
LUXURY STAYS ON VINEYARDS
The regretful thing about wine tours is that eventually
you have to leave. There’s no lingering over a riesling as
the sun beds down for the night. But at these luxury stays,
you can take your time finishing off a bottle, enjoy a superb
dinner, then either saunter or swagger to your room.
THE LOUISE: Set in Barossa wine country, The Louise is
not only front and centre to the captivating scenery and
best wineries of the region, it’s also home to the celebrated
restaurant, Appellation. thelouise.com.au
EMPIRE RETREAT: You’ll come to sample the cabernet merlot
of this Margaret River region winery, but you’ll end up
staying in Empire Estate’s irresistible boutique hotel
(pictured), which layers natural timbers and stone for a
contemporary, rustic effect. Book into the spa too, for its
big stone baths and rainforest shower suites. empireretreat.com
SEQUOIA AT MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE: Projected to open
this October at one of the Adelaide Hill’s best-loved
estates, the luxury 14-suite Sequoia will sit separately to
the existing guesthouse. mtloftyhouse.com.au
MORNINGTON PENINSULA GLAMPING: Situated on Blue
Range Estate Wines in the pretty coastal town of Rosebud,
the 10 bell tents that make up Mornington Peninsula
Glamping are stylishly furnished, there’s a sleek amenities
block, the Cellar Door and Cafe has a Mediterranean
sensibility, and there are panoramic views of Port Phillip
25 Bay and Bass Strait that just won’t quit. mpglamping.comWHISKY DISTILLERIES
AND FESTIVALS
As a nation, our thirst for the deeply nuanced
tipple of whisky is far from quenched. Perhaps it
has something to do with our enterprising convict
roots but, as a country, we’ve become exceedingly
accomplished at both enjoying and crafting this
spirit. With its peaty earth, crisp climate, and
barley fields, Tasmania has been leading the way
in Antipodean whisky for some years now with
the likes of Lark, Sullivan’s Cove and Spring Bay.
There’s even a dedicated whisky trail andyoucan
fire up your cockles at Tasmanian WhiskyWeek
from 12–18 August (pictured). If you can’tmakeit
down for August, Sydney is hosting the Sydney
Whisky Fair from 30–31 August. It’s not justour
bog-blessed southernmost state that is distilli
distinguished whisky; other noteworthy exa
are the single-malt and accessible Starward,
Victoria’s Timboon, and WA’s Limeburners,
just a few. If your tastes run to a more Ameri
style of whisky, some distilleries are mashing
rye for moonshine-style drinks: try Archie
and Young Henry’s Nightsweat Moonshine.6
WORDS: LARA PICONE. PHOTOGRAPHY: ELISE HASSEY (FOOD WITH A VIEW);
LUSY PRODUCTIONS (TASMANIAN WHISKY WEEK); PHOTOELEMENTS MR (GOURMET ESCAPE);
@SURFSHOTNOOSA (NOOSA FOOD & WINE)