Daylesford Macedon Life - Autumn 2020

MARKET HEROES

Support local growers and makers

HOT CHOCOLATE

Take the road to chocolate bliss

DYLAN GRIMES INTERVIEW

Matching football and wine

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

Best plant-based food

AUTUMN 2020

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 A DAYLESFO RD MACED O N TO U R ISM P U B L I C ATI O N | DAYL E SFORDM AC E DON LI FE .C OM .AU

shizuka ryokan

Traditional Japan in Victoria’s Spa Country Slip off your shoes and enter a world that is distinctly Japanese. Allow the Zen design and warm, uniquely Japanese hospitality sooth your mind and soul. Feel the tension slipping away with a massage and a soak in a deep bath overlooking your private Japanese courtyard.

w: shizuka.com.au

p: 03 5348 2030

7 Lakeside Drive

Hepburn Springs VIC

CONTENTS WIN a Best Autumn Escape

4

Welcome 5 Places to Go, Colours to See

6-7

Talbot and Surrounds

8-9

The Sound of Music

10

Speaking of Yarns

11

Workshops with Heart

12-13

Meat the Experts

14

Autumn is our Favourite Colour

15

Hot Chocolate For the Love of Spuds

16-17 19

Market Heroes

20-21

Turn Over a New Leaf

22-23

Grimes’ Wines

24-25

ChillOut Festival Breaking Records in Daylesford

26

The Road to Attwoods

27

Best of the Best

29

Classes and Workshops

31

What’s on in Autumn Fabulous Food & Drink

32-33

COVER

Mt Franklin Organics, Daylesford.

Market Heroes p.20-21 Photographer Lisa Cohen “As a food and lifestyle photographer the Daylesford region is rich pickings!

I’ve spent many years coming up from Melbourne to photograph its wonderful artists, restaurants and houses for Country Style Magazine.

I’ve also recently been fortunate to photograph Lake House’s new cookbook celebrating not only its 30 years, but also all the amazing local producers who supply chef Alla Wolf-Tasker’s kitchen.”

34

Accommodation 35 What to Do

36

Shining Light for Solar

37

How to Get Here and Discover More

37

Recipe: Potato Gnocchi, Taleggio and Speck

38 Q @lisacohenphoto K lisacohenphotography.com

Daylesford Macedon Life Creative Director Andrea Pribaz Editor Narenna Bloomfield Sales Annissa White Production Sally Towell, Melissa O’Shea-Taylor Advertising Enquiries annissa@dmrtourism.com.au 03 5309 2772 This publication is lovingly created by the Daylesford Macedon Tourism Board, because we adore our region and want to share our wonderful stories and experiences with you.

Here’s how to stay social and get the latest on what’s happening in the region. Share your photos and stories with us by tagging the relevant hashtags on your posts. The most remarkable and beautifully shot pics will be put on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Q daylesfordmacedonranges E daylesfordmacedonranges #daylesfordmacedonlife #yourhappyspace #holidayherethisyear

Love our Food and Regional Producers? dmproduce.com.au Q dmpharvest E dmpharvest #dmpharvest Looking for the best place in Australia to get married? daylesfordmacedonweddings.com.au E daylesfordmacedonweddings Q daylesfordmacedonweddings #daylesfordmacedonweddings

daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 3

WIN

© Anwyn Stekerhofs

A BEST AUTUMN ESCAPE

Golden leaves, colourful fungi and dramatic sunsets, we’re encouraging you to capture our autumn beauty.

Visit the region and take a photo of our autumn beauty. Then: 1. Visit our Facebook Page @daylesfordmacedonranges and upload your photo via our ‘Autumn Love’ tab, or 2. Use our hashtag, #bestautumnescape in your public Facebook or Instagram post.

3. Every month, our judging panel will select a winner whose photo best represents the beauty and uniqueness of the region.

If you’re selected as a winner, you will receive a fantastic winery experience: MARCH PRIZE

Experience the wine and cheese produced locally at Cloud 9 Farm. Win a Farmhouse Platter featuring seasonal produce, two glasses of Cloud 9 Farm wine and take home your bottle of choice, all whilst taking in their picturesque autumnal view.

APRIL PRIZE

Tranquil vineyards, dramatic undulating landscapes and delicious local food and wine, Cleveland Winery is a delight in autumn. You will win a personalised wine tasting in their unique underground cellar, plus dinner for two.

MAY PRIZE

Relax for the day at Gisborne Peak Winery. Start with a tasting of their estate grown wines and decide which wine to pair with your meal. Win a 3-course lunch for two people in The Fireside Room or out on the open deck on the lake with superb autumn vines.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 4

WELCOME

by Steve Wroe, CEO Daylesford Macedon Tourism Tourism is an enormous contributor to the financial and social health of regional Victoria. If there is ever a year in which I would urge you to visit one of Victoria’s beautiful regions, it is this year. My job is to encourage people to visit our wonderful part of the world, but right now, I will simply encourage you to get into regional Vic – any part – and experience the beauty of your backyard.

The Daylesford Macedon Region has plenty to tempt you, and this edition showcases some wonderful events we host such as Chillout - the post-Mardi Gras party that sees the population of Daylesford swell by over 20,000 people; the absolutely brilliant Trentham ‘Spudfest’ which celebrates something else that sustains our region - the humble potato, and Clunes Booktown which has attracted book lovers to this charming little town for years. We feature Classes and Workshops that’ll teach you a new skill, live music that will fill you with joy, and Farmers’ Markets where you can fill your bags with sensational produce and meet the very people who grew it.

Food is fundamental to the fabric of our corner of the world, and we also give you hints on the best choccy havens for Easter, where to get some world-class, locally produced meat, and for the more herbivorous amongst us – the top vegetarian restaurants in the area. I haven’t told my kids yet, but our trip to Vietnam is off the agenda…instead, we’re spending our holidays much closer to home this year #holidayherethisyear.

TRENTHAM SPUDFEST - MAY 2ND Once again, the humble potato bursts free from life underground and basks in the limelight of the Trentham Spudfest. This one-day festival showcases a huge variety of potatoes, from Dutch Cream to Purple Majesty, and serves gourmet delights at a variety of stalls - baked, mashed, chipped, in scones & donuts - plus 24 varieties freshly dug from our local fields. trenthamspudfest.org.au

FIND OUT MORE ON PAGE 19

STAY & DINE MIDWEEK ESCAPE $265 (valued at $325)

HOTEL FRANGOS DAYLESFORD

• Bottle of sparking wine on arrival • One nights accommodation • Full cooked breakfast at Koukla Daylesford • Pre-dinner drinks on one night (beer, wine, soft drink. 1x per person)

BOOK DIRECT PHONE 03 5348 2363

- Valid Sunday - Thursday nights until 31 August 2020 - Valid for two guests per booking only - Public holidays, long weekends and school holidays excluded

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Daylesford Macedon Life | 5

PLACES TO GO, COLOURS TO SEE Nadine Hartnett

Autumn 2020 will go down as one of the most anticipated seasons in Australian history. Cool breezes, clean air and quenching rain are on our radar and offer a healing prospect of reconnecting with an outdoors world that has given rise to unprecedented anguish.

M

odestly populated towns like Glenlyon, Drummond and Kingston turn on an impossibly colourful spectacle as the scorched countryside becomes green and the early evening sky glows with sorbet hues.

Their Avenues of Honour provide a leafy welcome for visitors and are among more than 300 living memorials

Around 20 years ago, Brian Reasons instigated a committee to resurrect the commemorative avenue planted in 1918. “We thought we might get 20 or 30 people along to the first working bee and about 150 turned up!”

in Victoria that recognise those who served in the First World War.

Baulch, says theirs is one of the most intact avenues of honour in Australia. The 268 elm trees comprise

President of Kingston, Friends of the Avenue, Julie

“A cool climate zone like this provides diversity in the garden, and the autumn colour we get from Japanese Maples and Dogwoods is like a swansong before the winter.”

Stephen Ryan lives and runs a nursery, Dicksonia Rare Plants behind the Trading Post in Mt Macedon. “It is a wonderfully relaxed and mellow time of year after the torridness of summer. A cool climate zone like this provides diversity in the garden, and the autumn colour we get from Japanese Maples and Dogwoods is like a swansong before the winter.”

Kyneton Botanical Gardens has 17 trees listed on the National Trust Register of Significant Trees including one of the best examples of the endangered Chilean Wine Palm. It stands just inside the front gate.

According to Ann Tomlinson, who spearheaded a campaign to revitalise the gardens in 2005, better access to funding has enabled more progress on the development and preservation of a landmark asset important for its aesthetic, environmental, social and educational values.

Kingston, between Daylesford and Creswick, recorded a population of 177 in 2016 and is possibly the only town that has a song about its Avenue of Honour. Available on CD, it was written by Neil Adam and performed by local residents backed by the Creswick Brass Band.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 6

Dutch, Canadian and Scottish species. And they will soon be a vision of gold.

Majestic stands of trees also elevate the towns of Daylesford and Macedon, where gardening identity

Friends of the Malmsbury Gardens and Environs secretary, Paula Needham, says a central lake draws people to the gardens and, in autumn, reflects the kaleidoscope surrounds. She evokes a brilliant vista of large Blue Atlas Cedars contrasting with the yellow foliage of elms. It is also the season when Irish Strawberry trees produce panicles of white bell shaped flowers and ripe berries. Other attractions are a poplar walk, geese and swamp hens, and the 19th

century operational viaduct which is Victoria’s largest masonry bridge.

North-East of Kyneton is Sidonia, home to the historic ‘Bringalbit’ property. Among the endless delights in its English, park-like setting, are mature conifers and oaks, a crab-apple walk, masses of perennials and a 60-metre Quince Walk.

Every shade of red, gold and purple get a guernsey in autumn gardens, and the region is blessed with outstanding private properties that open their gates periodically in addition to the free public spaces awaiting our enjoyment every day.

Nadine Hartnett is a freelance writer and the founding manager of the Macedon Ranges Art Trail. @macedonrangesarttrail macedonrangesarttrail.com

DISCOVER OUR AUTUMN BEAUTY Bringalbit bringalbit.com.au Lambley lambley.com.au Dicksonia Rare Plants stephenryan.com.au Malmsbury Botanic Gardens Glenlyon Historic Avenue of Trees The Convent and Wombat Hill conventgallery.com.au Trentham Village Romsey Claret Ash Avenue of Honour Campaspe River Walk, Kyneton Castlemaine Botanic Gardens Kingston Avenue of Honour To know exactly when to visit, check out the hashtag: #bestautumnescape.

This will show you the colours of autumn from visitors in the region, real-time.

Photo: Cleveland Winery, Lancefield

THE ROMANCE OF DAIRY FLAT LODGE & FARM Think pre-wedding preparations or a luxurious weekend escape with your tribe.

The Lodge at Dairy Flat is for groups looking for a magical & memorable experience. Perhaps a place to prepare for a wedding, anniversary or celebration?

Serviced by your own private concierge; this is not a hotel but a very special destination country house on an organic farm; less than 10 minutes from Daylesford.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the property; rolling hills, 5 acres of herb, vegetable and cutting gardens (supplying the awarded Lake House Restaurant), olive grove, vineyard, heirloom orchard, lagoon, ornamental gardens full of games, pretty sitting nooks and whimsical sculptures ... There is also electric bikes, a hot tub overlooking the vines and the now famous semi-underground bake house which produces a range of slow fermented sourdough, croissants, fruit danish, doughnuts and more each morning for Lodge guests.

And then there’s the Lodge itself; a sumptuous and carefully curated space rich in texture, colour, art & life. Take your time, connect and build those special memories that will last a lifetime.

DAIRYFLATFARM.COM.AU @DAIRYFLATFARMDAYLESFORD

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TASTE OF TALBOT Narenna Bloomfield

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he goldfields town of Talbot is renowned for its monthly farmers’ market. On the third Sunday of each month, the heritage streetscape transforms into a bustling marketplace. The streets become lined with marquees and vendors sell everything from fresh cut flowers through to organic purple carrots. While the farmers’ market and the Town Hall market are well worth a visit in themselves, it’s when the markets are over for the day, or on every other weekend that you can experience the full taste of Talbot.

A walk along the sweeping Scandinavian Crescent lined with ‘Instagram-able’ heritage buildings will lead you to a meandering brick pathway, welcoming you into the London House Community Garden. Wander the rosemary-bordered paths and discover a beautiful and productive garden lovingly tended by a group of talented and dedicated volunteers. Apple, quince and olive trees stand above ornamental grapevines and a flowering lippia lawn buzzing with happy pollinating bees.

Adjacent is the Talbot Provedore and Eatery, its long north-facing verandah flanked with espalier fruit trees

Daylesford Macedon Life | 8

overlook the garden and makes a perfect spot for coffee, or to share a ‘Provedore Platter’ and glass of local wine, or two.

Proprietors, Christopher and Jayne, are passionate about supporting their local food and wine producers and providing visitors with ‘a taste of the region’.

Together with French-born chef Stephan they do this exceptionally well as evidenced in the numerous Golden Plate Awards adorning the walls. The aged patina of the heritage building creates a warm and inviting space, which is equally matched by the welcoming wait staff. At the front of the establishment, you will find shelves laden with local food. The wine store to the rear, is well provisioned with regional wines, beers and cider. Sit and enjoy or take away.

Be sure to make a booking for one of the Provedore’s Saturday night dinners.

Make your way to the end of the Provedore verandah and look up to see a bright orange door high up on the second floor, a beacon to explore the Corridor Gallery within the Fyffe Street Emporium (open on weekends). If you’re up for taking the stairs, the view over the rooftops is worth the climb, or you can enter

“Have a chat to the lovely vendors who are each a wealth of local knowledge and can point you in the right direction to fill up your whole afternoon of sightseeing.” the cluster of art and craft stores via Stuff n’ Nonsense on the ground floor. Inside you will find quirky crafts, Barefoot Annie’s stylish pre-loved clothing, elegant handmade pottery by Felix Ceramics, and eclectic upcycled treasures from Crest Hermitage. Have a chat to the lovely vendors who are each a wealth of local knowledge and can point you in the right direction to fill up your whole afternoon of sightseeing. A visit to Slightly Bent Books across the road, The Shed, Talbot Bazaar and the Railway Station Nursery, and exploring nearby Amherst Winery, Possum Gully Gallery and natural sights such as the Aboriginal Shelter Tree will be more than enough to build up your appetite for dinner at the Talbot Provedore and Eatery.

Following dinner, take a short walk down the road and open the ruby red door to your luxurious resting place

for the night, Pretty Cottage Talbot. Twelve years ago, Gina Francis was on a road trip to nearby Dunolly, on a quest to trace her husband’s family history. A glimpse of heritage buildings from the main road sparked Gina’s curiosity, so she pulled in to explore the town. You could say it was love at first sight, Gina simply adored the quaint heritage village and would regularly visit for many years with her husband Peter before they settled on an acreage of their own. Gina had always dreamed of opening a BnB, so when a miner’s cottage came up for sale a year ago, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to share her love of Talbot with guests.

Built in the 1880s, the cottage has all the charm of the gold mining era, and Gina has ensured her guests also have every comfort of the modern-day. Drawing upon her own travel experiences around the world, and a love of unique and eclectic design, Gina has stylishly furnished the cottage and added her personal touch with knick-knacks sourced from local antique and second-hand ware stores.

Step inside the cottage, slip on the fluffy bathrobe, run

Talbot Farmers’ Market talbotfarmersmarket.org.au

a spa bath and pour yourself a glass of wine or just relax, tuck in for the night and prepare for another full day ahead exploring Talbot.

Talbot Provedore and Eatery talbotprovedore.com.au Visit Talbot instagram.com/visittalbot Possum Gully Gallery possumgullyfinearts.com.au Felix Ceramics felixceramics.com.au

Photo (above): Slighty Bent Books.

Photograph by: Ewen Bell Photos (opposite page L-R): Barefoot Annie, Talbot Provedore, Talbot Farmers’ Market

Amherst Winery amherstwinery.com Pretty Cottage Talbot prettycottagetalbot.com

Committed to offering smart, contemporary food and keeping things simple.

Dynamic wine list with a focus on passionate producers both local and international.

Tuesday-Thursday - Dinner Friday & Saturday - Lunch & Dinner

3 Tenth St Hepburn Springs Vic 03 5348 4628 thesurlygoat.com.au

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC Jo Stewart From pub rock to cabaret and cocktails, the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region hits all the right notes. Here are some of the best spots to catch a tune while you’re in the region.

MAJOR TOM’S

PALAIS HEPBURN

FARMERS ARMS

The tiny, velvet-curtained stage of this popular burger joint regularly hosts a line-up of established and emerging folk, blues, roots, rock and Americana artists including the likes of Ali Barter and Jordie Lane.

Burgers, hot dogs, nachos, shakes and craft beer are all on the menu, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options (hot tip: the Macedon Rambler burger is a winner).

After a hiatus, this grand old dame is back in business with an opulent new look that highlights the building’s original Art Deco features. Whether you catch a free DJ set in the salon or enjoy a cabaret show with dinner, the Palais is the place for wine, cheese, Moroccanstyle tapas and of course, music.

In Creswick, the Farmers Arms is the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights. Apart from seeing musical talent from the region in action, you’ll also find 12 beers on tap and cracking good pub meals like porterhouse steak served with hand-cut chips.

111 Main Road, Hepburn Springs palais-hepburn.com

57 Piper Street, Kyneton majortoms.com.au

RED HILL HOTEL

ODESSA AT LEAVER’S HOTEL

A top reason to make a pit stop in Chewton, the Red Hill Hotel has a long heritage of serving up beer,

You’ll enjoy much more than local wine, beer and spirits at this cosy wine bar with a distinct 1920s vibe.

There are also sophisticated bar bites and meals from chef Benjamin Sage, and live music spanning a variety of genres, from old time blues to piano jam sessions.

pub meals and tunes. At 165 years old, this classic country pub hosts all types of musical acts – from casual gatherings of Celtic fiddlers to guitar sets on the Mulberry Tree Stage in the beer garden during summer.

80 Albert Street, Creswick facebook.com/Odessa-at-Leavers-Hotel

163 Main Street, Chewton redhillhotel.com.au

Modern south east Asian inspired dining in an historic gold rush era pub Bar open all day from 11.30am Restaurant 12pm and 6pm 84 Piper Street Kyneton fookshing.com.au 5422 6560

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31 Albert Street, Creswick farmersarmscreswick.com THEATRE ROYAL

Home to a cinema, café, wine bar and band room, this historic theatre that dates back to the 1850s is quite the multitasker. Drawing in big name international and Australian acts spanning a wide range of genres including rock, pop, and alt-country, be sure to book tickets ahead of time to ensure you don’t miss out.

30 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au @jostewartwriter

SPEAKING OF YARNS Andrew Smith

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uch-loved and respected regional success story Creswick Woollen Mills has collaborated with Melbourne based artist Tammy Kanat on a luxury Alpaca throw collection. The new ‘Tammy Kanat for Creswick’ collection features adorned unique textures and colours with Tammy’s emotive and artistic themes, using her signature soothing, tranquil tones.

Arriving in-store this February, the collaboration draws on both Tammy Kanat’s artistic flair and Creswick Woollen Mills’ quality natural yarns. The work is inspired by the handmade touch, natural fibres, and beautiful surroundings of the Creswick Mill, home to the only remaining coloured woollen spinning mill of its type left in Australia.

Creswick Woollen Mills Executive Director, Boaz Herszfeld says “The authenticity and quality of Tammy’s work was such a big motivator for us – it was an easy decision to collaborate with her, using our genuinely Australian products. The collection that we have created sits comfortably with our uniquely Australian style.”

Tammy is best known for mesmerising, abstract weavings of intricate wall art, vessels and

sculptures, and her work has established her as one of Australia’s most intuitive and original textile artists. The NGV commissioned Tammy as part of the gallery partnership with MECCA to acquire new works by contemporary female Australian artists. The use of mixed yarns – merino, alpaca, mohair, ultra-fine and super chunky - are prolific throughout her portfolio of masterpieces.

Tammy Kanat’s said, “I went straight to the Mill in Creswick to get a feel for the place and to soak up the atmosphere, then collected some beautiful raw alpaca fleece and got to work. I can’t wait to share the pieces that will reflect the gorgeous heritage of Creswick Woollen Mills.”

Look out for Tammy’s new Alpaca homeware throw collection, the backdrop for this wonderful collection will be featured at the gorgeous awardwinning retreat Lake House Daylesford. creswickwool.com tammykanat.com

Photo: Tammy Kanat

Daylesford Macedon Life | 11

WORKSHOPS WITH HEART

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eing part of a workshop is a clever way of creating great memories from your time in a unique destination. Even if you’re only day-tripping, allocating some time to an activity will inspire; and they’re the best life experience souvenir you could take home. Workshops also give you rare access, not just to the experts and their working habits, but to their studios, factories and commercial kitchens.

More and more unique workshops and masterclasses are emerging in our region, all trying to reconnect us with a lost skill, tradition or past time.

These ‘old-fashioned’ ways of doing things are more relevant today as we try to live lighter, more thoughtful lives and words like sustainable and resourceful become more meaningful. Workshops can be a creative outlet, a breath, a refocus. They can force a slowdown, reveal new skills and even remind you of

Daylesford Macedon Life | 12

Bryanna Sandercock

old ones. They can spark curiosity and encourage change for the better.

Our region is brimming with talented people, keen to pass on their knowledge and skills. Cook from scratch and eat seasonally, preserve food when it’s abundant to enjoy in scarcer months, learn to slow down, make things with your hands, share and nourish your loved ones - they’re the perfect antidotes to our hectic, disconnected lives.

Sourdough baker, Simon Matthee, from the Macedon Ranges bakery The Millet Road Maker has been teaching hands-on sourdough baking classes for a few years now. His mission is to get people to eat better quality bread, and a straightforward way of doing that is to teach them how to make it. His classes are fun, full of knowledge and generosity. Participants not only get hours of specialised teaching, but they also go home with a box full of loaves, extra flour

and a sourdough starter. In addition, Simon supports the home-bakers well after the class has finished, answering any questions participants may have. I’ve booked into Simon’s March workshop and cannot wait – I’m also looking forward to having him host a couple of classes with us at Piper St Food Co this year.

One of the most memorable workshops I’ve attended was with The Fermentary’s Sharon Flynn. I found myself hooked on her passion, her love for the area and its pristine water and produce – and her ability to demystify the ancient art of fermenting. Time spent in a hands-on class is more valuable than hours of reading and watching YouTube videos. There’s something special that happens in an intimate workshop setting, bonds are formed, trust is gained, doubt is replaced with confidence, and change is sparked. I’m now an avid fermenter, my habits come and go with different seasons, but I’m confident in my knowledge and happily share it, along with jars of kraut or water kefir.

If you’re yearning for something more specialised and handcrafted, the one and two-day knife making courses run by metal design duo Rowsaan, Kyneton, offer a high level of tuition and a good foundation from which to pursue further knife making. They provide courses with two people at a time, to ensure participants are comfortable in the metal workshop, and able to produce a quality knife that they can use every day. Designers Rowan and Saan were drawn to the Macedon Ranges for the stunning landscapes and natural beauty, but they’ve stayed and set up shop because of the sense of real community. In turn, they love passing down their techniques and guiding their students to create something of ancient, practical beauty.

Our age-old techniques of traditional cookery at Piper St Food Co is the cornerstone of what we stand for. Chef and owner Damian Sandercock (a third generation chef) sees cooking in this time-honoured way as a path to reconnect. “In our busy lives, cooking is often an easy thing to sacrifice when we can rely on fast, convenient, readymade food, but there is a real move back to simple, seasonal food that brings people together, and that’s what I love to teach.” Classes at Piper St Food Co range from Pickling & Preserving, Sausage Making to Pork Pie & Pastry Masterclasses. We also collaborate with other talented producers who share their specific knowledge, such as cheesemaking and Korean cookery. We see ourselves as custodians and feel compelled to share. Our workshops revel in the region, and we promote careful use of ingredients, supporting local growers, eating and cooking seasonally, and capturing the seasons through preservation.

Embrace the creative businesses in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges bursting with passion, generous with their knowledge and be inspired by a fresh outlook that will form lifelong habits.

The Millet Road Maker millettroadmaker.com.au The Fermentary thefermentary.com.au Rowsaan rowsaan.com Piper Street Food Co piperstfoodco.com

Photos (L-R): Rowsaan handcrafted knife, Piper Street Food Co Photo (opposite page): Freshly baked bread from The Millet Road Maker

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MEAT THE EXPERTS Richard Cornish

AUTUMN SIRLOIN ROAST & SAUSAGE SPECIAL

Phone or drop in to receive a 2kg sirloin roast for $30 or 22 homemade sausages for only $25 Quote code #sirloin special or #gourmet sausage to receive offer.

Perfect for your autumn country getaway. the DAYLESFORD MEAT C o.

37 VINCENT STREET DAYLESFORD t: 5348 2094

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att Layfield’s cattle are head down, slowly walking through the thick grass, grazing quietly. They are a calm mob, well used to Matt walking through the herd, checking their condition.

They are crossbreeds: half Angus, half Limousin, a large, fine muscled French breed. “These cattle produce really fine-grained meat,” says Matt. The animals free range on the rich pasture at Greenhill, a farming area near Malmsbury. Matt and his Dad, Ron, also raise prime lambs on the farm. They sell their beef and lamb through the family butcher shop, The Daylesford Meat Co., in the heart of Daylesford.

to serve with gnocchi. Originally from the south of England, Matt Peabody also makes a very Cornish pasty and cold pork pies, perfect with a pint of local IPA. This is all beautifully displayed in the recently renovated store, all stainless steel, dark tiles, and an old-fashioned wooden chopping block. “We wanted to tell people how good our meat is, so we completely remodelled the shop to reflect the quality of what we sell. Pound for pound,” he continues, “we reckon our beef, lamb, housemade smallgoods and pastries, along with the pork and chicken, is some of the best in the country.”

You won’t see Matt in the butcher’s shop very often. He’s either on the farm or at the cattle market, buying and selling livestock. But he knows quality when he sees it, and the proof is in the meat cabinet. Great dry-aged rib-eye steaks, dappled with fine veins of marbled fat, making for a superb tender steak. Plump lamb cutlets ready for the grill. Lamb roasts on the bone. In-store you’ll be looked after by manager Paul Tammer, the cheerful Di Beaumont, and smallgoods butcher Matt Peabody. He spends his days spicing and seasoning ground pork and beef to make their fine range of smallgoods. On any day, you’ll find him making pork, fennel and almond terrine, duck and walnut terrine, or French country terrine.

Out back is a smoker in which he adds a delicious layer of red gum smoke over his bacon and hams.

He makes great kabana, perfectly spiced chorizo, delicious smoked cacciatore, and cheese kransky stuffed with Emmental cheese.

The team also makes fresh sausages such as pork, leek and chilli, beef, sweet cherry and plum, and the sausage recognised by the international Slow Food movement, the Swiss Italian bull boar. This is a sausage unique to the Daylesford Macedon Ranges region. Swiss Italian immigrants first made them during the gold rush. They are a blend of beef and pork, red wine, garlic, and spices. Lovely slowly grilled over coals, the seasoned meat inside also makes an excellent base for an aromatic ragu

@foodcornish

Photo: Matt Layfield. Photograph by: Richard Cornish

Matt wholesales to the region, and if you’re eating at a restaurant in town, you are more than likely eating Greenhills meat. Daylesford Meat Co. is open Monday to Saturday. @daylesfordmeatco

AUTUMN IS OUR FAVOURITE COLOUR

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he picturesque village of Blackwood is tucked in between the Wombat and Lerderderg State Parks. Surrounded by spectacular ranges, forests and deep gullies, Blackwood sits at approximately 560 metres above sea level and experiences the four seasons in all their dramatic beauty; with warm summers, mossy, foggy winters with flurries of snow, a cool, verdant springtime and spectacular autumns. Autumn in Blackwood is indeed something very special. As the season deepens, each garden flaunts a whole new look, with vivid colour elevating a passionate

Kathy Douglas

was created from scratch just 18 years ago and is testament to the bold vision of owners Zena and Jack.

From bare farm paddocks and just a few cuttings, they have created a wondrous haven. Autumn intensifies their carefully planted palette with turning leaves enhancing bold border plantings and green lawns

green thumb’s hard work to the next level.

April 12th.

“At just over an hour from Melbourne, it’s easy to access the spectacular autumn gardens of Blackwood.”

Tiny Blackwood is home to three unique nurseries set within incredible gardens to explore. Each garden is very different and equally spectacular throughout autumn. A tour of all three will inspire you to don the gardening gloves and get to work in your own green patch before the weather cools.

The Diggers Club Garden of St Erth at Blackwood is well known and loved for its popular nursery and wonderfully manicured gardens. The garden includes a food forest, with ripening espaliered apples, perennial borders in full bloom and edible gardens, much of which ends up on the menu at their Fork to Fork café.

They have an extensive program of workshops and events on their autumn calendar, and you can even experience glamping in their ‘Garden Beds’, waking up to the morning sounds of this majestic garden. Some of their oldest deciduous trees will be displaying incredible autumn colour in the coming months, and the enormous tulip tree is one of many highlights.

Frogmore Gardens features seven acres of carefully curated garden rooms linked by grass paths and set before a spectacular forest backdrop. The garden

opens, you’ll find the Plantsman’s Garden at Blackwood Ridge Nursery and Café. This carefully landscaped and manicured two-acre garden and nursery boasts an incredible collection of ornamentals, exotic and rare garden plants. Blackwood Ridge is the only 100% completely off-grid nursery and restaurant in Victoria a great place to unwind, plan your dream garden and share lunch while enjoying a local wine or beer. The gardens surrounding the nursery and restaurant are open as usual, and the private gardens are opening for the first time this autumn: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm from the Labour Day long weekend until

Take a day to experience the three and witness the transition of seasons. Keep your eye on our social media accounts for autumn highlights in the region. @daylesfordmacedonranges #bestautumnescape

@katherine_douglas_art Frogmore Gardens

leading you through the garden of perennials, hedges, grasses and trees. Frogmore Gardens will inspire you to tackle your next gardening project, and the nursery offers established plants for you to take home to get started. The garden is open to the public from the long weekend in March through to April 25.

Drive down a winding forest road through the tall eucalypts of the Wombat Forest, and as the forest

Garden of St Erth diggers.com.au Frogmore Gardens frogmoregardens.com.au Blackwood Ridge blackwoodridge.com.au While in the area, pop in to Martin St Coffee for some of the best coffee in Country Victoria martinstreetcoffee.com

Daylesford Macedon Life | 15

HOT CHOCOLATE Zali Garrety

That Willy Wonka bloke has nothing on the chocolate makers, confectioners and hot chocolate artisans inducing blissful chocolate comas in our villages. As the temperature dips and the leaves dress up in their autumnal finest, take to the road and enter chocolate bliss.

THE CHOCOLATE MILL, MT FRANKLIN Located in birdsong-filled bushland, you’ll enter chocolate-lovers paradise. The Chocolate Mill handmake all their chocolates using Fair Trade Belgian Chocolate. The range will leave you swooning.

EASTER GOODIES: Chubby Bunny, a highly-coveted, hand-detailed rabbit.

MUST DEVOUR: Goldfields Bark- hand-made Honeycomb, crushed and blended with a mix of milk and dark chocolate.

5451 Midland Highway, Mt Franklin chocmill.com.au DAYLESFORD HOT CHOCOLATE Snuggle into a big armchair with a steaming cup of yummy chocolate to warm the heart and belly. They use single-origin chocolate made especially from Vanuatu-grown cacao, then add aromatic spices, salts

Daylesford Macedon Life | 16

and sugars to create a swoon-worthy hot Chocolate.

Chocolate milk moustache guaranteed.

EASTER GOODY: The Easter Egg Slam. A little egg sits atop a marshmallow in a shot glass. Pour hot chocolate in and watch the egg collapse once the hot chocolate melts through, sending the marshmallow to the surface.

MUST DEVOUR: A 42% cocoa buttermilk chocolate served steaming hot with a roasted marshmallow bobbing around in the centre.

22 Raglan Street, Daylesford facebook.com/The-Daylesford-Hot-ChocCompany SWEET DECADENCE AT LOCANTRO Sweet Decadence at Locantro was the first handmade chocolate shop in country Victoria. With a 30year pedigree in chocolate making, they continue

to set the benchmark for all chocolate makers in the region.

EASTER GOODIES: Beautiful hand-decorated Easter eggs.

MUST DEVOUR: Caramel chocolates that melt in the mouth and send your tastebuds spiralling in happiness.

87 Vincent St, Daylesford sweetdecadence.com.au CABOSSE & FEVE CHOCOLATES The husband and wife team at Cabosse & Feve Chocolates handcraft all their chocolate delights onsite at the Mill. From filled truffles to figurines, bars and bark, your tastebuds will faint with pleasure at the taste.

EASTER GOODIES: Bunnies and hand-painted eggs with delectable fillings and chocolate rabbit lollypops.

MUST DEVOUR: Coffee and caramel bark. Crunchy

bars and Easter eggs hand-poured into antique moulds. These are a feast for eyes and belly alike.

MUST DEVOUR: 65% origin Venezuela dark chocolate bar made with crumbs of dehydrated rye sourdough bread and flakes of smoked salt.

16 Market Street, Trentham atelierchocolat.com.au

caramel with coffee swirled through 62% dark chocolate.

The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine cabosseandfeve.com.au ATELIER CHOCOLAT, TRENTHAM HOME OF PAIN ET CHOCOLAT (BREAD AND CHOCOLATE) This little gem is named after a fond memory from a French childhood - a small bar of chocolate melting on a warm slice of bread devoured after school. Atelier Chocolat makes their chocolate from scratch using organic Peruvian cocoa beans.

EASTER GOODIES: Limited edition chocolate

WIDOW TWANKEY’S CONFECTIONERY EMPORIUM People come from everywhere to wander, wonder and fill their faces with chocolate treasures from this old-fashioned confectioner.

EASTER GOODIES: Easter eggs from the leading chocolate makers in Belgium, Switzerland and Spain.

MUST DEVOUR: Humbugs, peppermint creams, and bullets.

50 Fraser Street, Clunes widowtwankeys.com.au @zaligarrety Photo: Goldfields Bark, The Chocolate Mill

MUST HAVE

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Our luxurious Alpaca throw collection is a contemporary statement piece. Made with the highest quality, responsibly sourced materials, every piece blends practicality and comfort to meet our unwavering standard of excellence.

Using 100% natural fibres, Creswick’s Alpaca & Lambswool throws are soft and lightweight. Natural qualities of Alpaca fleece allows air to circulate, keeping you warm and comfortable but never too hot.

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Daylesford Macedon Life | 17

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FOR THE LOVE OF SPUDS

G

eorge Wicker planted his first potatoes as a teenage boy. One spring, he was given a sack of red Pontiac potatoes by his uncle. He took a spade, turned over the rich deep soil on the roadside outside his family’s farm in Little Hampton, near Trentham. That autumn, he pulled up the potatoes and sold them by the side of the road. That was over 50 years ago. He has not missed a potato season since then. In fact, there has been a Wicker growing potatoes in the deep, chocolate brown soil around Trentham since the gold rush days. Back then, the country was covered in towering forest, before it was cleared for timber for the gold mines, revealing the fertile soil below. Those potatoes fed the miners who powered the most affluent gold boom in global history.

You can see the deep brown ploughed potato fields in spring and early summer. Later on, the deep green, waist-high plants grow in rows across the rolling hills.

Come autumn, the potato plants die off, and the harvesters dig the potatoes up from the ground. Soon after the roadside stalls pop up, little sheds with an honesty box where visitors can buy a bag of freshly

Richard Cornish

dug spuds for just a few bucks. While there are not as many potato farmers as there were in the heydays of the early 20th century, there are still half a dozen farmers in the area. They grow boutique varieties to supply local restaurants, stores, farmers’ markets, and roadside stalls.

In late autumn, the region’s spud culture, history, lore, and culinary legacy is to be celebrated on Saturday, May 2, at the 13th annual Great Trentham Spudfest.

This day-long festival spreads across the whole town, in four precincts, offering a wide variety of things to do and see, taste and buy. Here, spud farmers will sell over 24 different varieties of potato, some pulled from the earth the night before the festival. “If you have never had a new season’s potato, straight from the soil, you are missing out on something special,” says George.

Food trucks will be serving potato-based dishes such as roast spuds, roesti, patatas bravas, potato scones, potato cakes, mash with sausages, potato and leek soup with RedBeard Historic Bakery potato bread and the famous Trentham CFA Chips. What sets this festival apart, is the bus tours arranged by the local historical society, touring the old sheds that dot the

landscape, built to house the seasonal potato diggers.

Often WWI veterans seeking out a living in the bush, they’d roam the district, living on basic provisions and harvesting spuds. George Wicker will be there selling his Kennebec, Nicola, King Edward, Sebago and locally bred Coliban potatoes at Spudfest. “When you’re in the area, you have to try our spuds,” he says with a warm smile. “The cool climate kills the bugs in the soil, and the rich earth makes them taste like nothing else.”

You can find his roadside stand selling excellent spuds from late summer to spring under a giant old gum tree near 1780 Daylesford – Trentham Road. @foodcornish

Photo: George Wicker. Photography by: Richard Cornish

THE GREAT TRENTHAM SPUDFEST May 2 2020 | 10am-4pm Free Event trenthamspudfest.org.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 19

MARKET HEROES Richard Cornish

F

The sun is setting on a warm Saturday night, and farmer Florian Hofinger is bringing in fat, ripe tomatoes. Heritage tomatoes that are purple, orange, red flecked with green and some that are almost black. Florian is one of the scores of small producers who work the fertile soil in Central Victoria, growing crops and raising sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry to sell at our farmers’ markets across the region.

lorian works tirelessly through the warmer months growing some of the state’s most sought after produce on his farm, Mount Franklin Organics, named after the dormant volcano looming nearby. The former-chef-turnedfarmer supplies local chefs such as Alla Wolf-Tasker from Lake House and David Willcox from The Surly Goat in Hepburn. He sells the remainder of his crop at the Daylesford Sunday Market. “What I love about it is that it is a weekly market,” says Florian as he wanders about his garden beds. Autumn is a busy time as, along with tomatoes, he is harvesting pumpkins, beetroot, and the last of the summer beans. “People can do their

“Farmers’ markets have allowed us to start our business,” says Daniel Ajzner. He and his wife, Sarah, milk 20 goats on their 20-hectare farm at Monageetta on the banks of Deep Creek, 16km south of Lancefield.

With it, they make fresh goat’s milk cheese, including labna, chevre, and feta sold under their Dreaming Goat Dairy label. They bought the farm in 2013, and Sarah made cheese from her goat’s milk every second day for five years, perfecting her craft before selling her first cheese in March this year. They sell their cheeses at the Woodend, Riddells Creek, Malmsbury, and Macedon Farmers’ Markets. “With Farmers’ Markets, the producer gets the reward of the full payment,” says Daniel. “It

travelled and sat on a supermarket shelf. What people love about Dreaming Goat Dairy cheeses is the way the quality of the milk shines through every product, an indication of incredibly high level of animal husbandry.

“On our farm,” says Sarah, “our goats come first.”

weekly shop and get what they need.” Florian himself takes extra produce to barter for bread from Two Folds Bakers and free-range pork chops from Brooklands Free Range Farms. “It’s good to do business with the people who grow your food,” he says with a smile.

really helps with cash flow running a farm,” says Sarah, “plus, being at the market is an opportunity to meet other local farmers and share knowledge.” Daniel adds, “the quality of the produce at the markets we attend is so good. It tastes so good because it’s fresh and hasn’t

the quality of her prime cuts, for years she could not sell the muscles from along the sheep’s belly. Then she developed a recipe for lamb bacon. It involves dry rubbing the belly with salt and then hot smoking them over red gum. The product has proved so popular it

Daylesford Macedon Life | 20

On a farm not far away, overlooking the Macedon Ranges, Toni Barton raises exceptionally good lamb.

She grows Australian Whites. They are a composite breed whose meat marbles beautifully on the naturally occurring kangaroo and wallaby grasses. She processes her lambs when they are slightly larger and sells the meat under her brand, For the Love of Lamb. Despite

has received a gold medal at the Australian Food Awards. “I feed 1,000 Victorian families a month,” says

young businesses to thrive, supported by a tight-knit community who put their money where their mouths

Toni. “They buy from me because they like the quality and know their money is going directly to this farmer.”

“I love the direct contact with my customers and their (sometimes frank) feedback.” One of the big success stories for Toni has been her shepherd’s pies. They are made from slow-cooked mutton from older animals, not suited for chops or roasts, and covered with a layer of creamy mashed potato enriched with fat from the lamb bacon. They are truly delicious. You can find Toni at the Castlemaine Farmers’ Market.

are,” says John emphatically. “They are also wonderful places where people come together to support local growers and makers,” he says. “They really are special.”

One of the stalwarts of many of the Daylesford Macedon Ranges farmers’ markets is John Reid from RedBeard Historic Bakery in Trentham. He bakes sourdough bread made from flour ground from grain grown on family farms. The bread is baked in a bricklined oven built in 1881 and heated by burning sugar gum logs sourced from sustainable farm plantations.

John and his team attend the Woodend, Lancefield, Kyneton and Castlemaine Farmers’ Markets. “The markets are brilliant to help small businesses start out,” says John. “We started with markets, and got our message out, started interest in our business, and we educated people about the benefits of eating real sourdough bread.” John has slowly been selling his bread at fewer markets over the past years. “The world needs more sourdough bakers, and that won’t happen if we are at every market,” he says. “These markets, particularly in this area, are incubators for wonderful

@foodcornish

Photos (L-R): Sarah Ajzner, Dreaming Goat Dairy Mount Franklin Organics Artichokes Florian Hofinger, Mount Franklin Organics Photo (below): John Reid, RedBeard Historic Bakery Photo (opposite page): Toni Barton, For the Love of Lamb Photography by: Richard Cornish

Mount Franklin Organics florian@mtfranklinorganics.com.au

Dreaming Goat Dairy dreaminggoat.com.au For the Love of Lamb facebook.com/fortheloveoflamb RedBeard Historic Bakery redbeardbakery.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 21

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF Steve Wroe

You may have seen the ‘documentary’ (and I use the word very loosely) Game Changers on Netflix. For the uninitiated, it looks at how a ‘plant-based’ diet has worked for an array of big, muscly guys, and that meat isn’t a dietary prerequisite for beefcakes.

P

ersonally, as a marketer, I think it’s a brilliant rebrand of the mildly annoying veganism movement. However, it successfully convinced many – including me – to eat more plants and fewer animals. This can only be a good thing, unless you’re a plant.

LAKE HOUSE - DAYLESFORD

KUZU IZAKAYA - WOODEND

The class and sophistication of Lake House is well known. Alla Wolf-Tasker is a true food pioneer, and her restaurant is very much on board the plant-based movement, catering to vegetarians.

There’s one word I associate with Japanese food (and Japanese people for that matter): clean. I love the lightness and freshness, and Kuzu Izakaya does it better than any.

Anyway, now when I dine out, I tend to scan the

PHAMILY KITCHEN - CASTLEMAINE

HOME GROWN ON PIPER - KYNETON

If I’m in Castlemaine with the kids, we go here. Every time. Great Vietnamese food; I lived in Vietnam for two years, so I’m a reasonable judge.

A local favourite for breakfast and lunch, with an ethical approach to food. Their dahl is amazing.

menu for the vegetarian options first, and I preference restaurants with plenty of ‘plant-based’ options. So, as a resident of the region, this is where I’m going…

THE SURLY GOAT – HEPBURN SPRINGS

SUPER LEKKER - WOODEND WOODBERRY CAFÉ – WOODEND

This place is my ‘date night’ go-to. Chef David Willcock’s Mediterranean influence equates to loads of amazingly tasty veg-based options.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 22

I included this place because their ‘Power Bowl’ blew my mind a year ago, when my wife started working on me to eat less meat. Their ‘Nourish Bowl’ is just as great.

Burgers are the best food in the world. If I were on death row, I’d order a burger as my last meal for sure.

And it’d probably be Super Lekker’s ‘L Veg’ burger because the only death associated with it would be mine.

IDA RED - MACEDON

SAULT – DAYLESFORD

Someone – maybe Woody Allen – once said that pizza is like sex; it is never bad, just degrees of good. Not sure my wife would agree, but she does like the vegetarian pizza here.

Sault also has an impressive garden, from which the team source their amazing vegies. And the setting and service make for a memorable experience.

BLACKWOOD RIDGE - BLACKWOOD

DU FERMIER - TRENTHAM

I’ve taken my team here for lunch a couple of times, and the food is A1. You can’t get more ‘paddock to plate’ than this place, as it’s an active nursery and you can see the plants you’re eating.

OK, I’ll admit I have never eaten here (but really, really want to) its reputation amongst Melburnians is huge. Annie Smithers’ seasonal menu is legendary, and it’s vegetarian-friendly.

The Surly Goat thesurlygoat.com.au Home Grown on Piper homegrownonpiper.com.au Phamily Kitchen phamilykitchencastlemaine.com.au Woodberry Café woodberrycafe.com.au Du Fermier anniesmithers.com.au Blackwood Ridge blackwoodridge.com.au Sault sault.com.au Kuzu Izakaya kuzu.com.au Ida Red idared.com.au Super Lekker superlekker.com.au Lake House lakehouse.com.au

Photos (opposite page L-R): Sault Restaurant, Fresh beets, Lake House Daylesford.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 23

GRIMES’ WINES An interview with Dylan Grimes, words Narenna Bloomfield

When AFL footballer Dylan Grimes and partner Elisha escaped to Daylesford for a weekend, little did they know it would transform their lives for the better.

T

he move would connect their family to a community, to the land, and provide an outlet for Dylan to kick some life goals.

WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO THE AREA? WHAT HAS LED YOU TO MOUNT MACEDON?

Both Elisha and I grew up in the Yarra Valley, and we knew we wanted to return to the country, to live out of Melbourne. We didn’t have many connections remaining in the Yarra Valley, and we were prepared to explore other areas surrounding Melbourne. We visited Daylesford for a weekend, and the idea started to form. The thing we noticed straight away was a strong sense of community and passion for quality produce. We fell in love with the Macedon Ranges; it was the perfect fit, a place for Elisha’s dream wedding venue, and a place for me to put roots in the ground and make some wine.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 24

The site itself is almost 700m above sea level, on the western slope of Mount Macedon. We’re treated to panoramic sunsets and an unobstructed view of the ranges. What we are producing is a true representation of a high elevation cool climate wines. The volcanic soil is rich in minerals that are ideal for growing pinot noir and chardonnay. We get snow here at least half

our restaurant. We’ll be sharing what we can, and building a sustainable footprint to support our local farmers and allow people to experience the Macedon Ranges and its unique flavours and qualities. There is still a mountain of work to be done in the vineyard and working with old vines means some great heritage but also challenges. The vineyard was planted in 1989 with two different kinds of pinot noir and chardonnay.

We’ve begun the early stages of planting out another 8

a dozen times a year, and that makes for an exciting blend of complex flavours. So, for us, it’s the perfect mix - cool climate, high altitude and quality soil - to make some really interesting and vibrant wines.

acres of pinot noir on the northern side of the property, so we’re excited to taste the distinct difference of the new vineyard. We’ll also trialing a few experimental plantings, so watch this space!

WHAT DOES 2020 HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU, AND

I HAVE TO ASK... WOULD YOU CONSIDER MOVING

MOUNT MACEDON WINERY?

TO ESSENDON? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

In 2020 we want to celebrate our region’s growers by highlighting their products at our cellar door and

Unfortunately, not! (Laughing). I’ve been playing at Richmond for 11 seasons and I don’t think I want to

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT MOUNT MACEDON WINERY?

change. What’s the saying? ‘Don’t fix what’s not broken’? I love the balance at Richmond.

I can farm an 80-acre property in my time away from football, and I’m sure not every AFL club would be as amenable. One thing that’s interesting about AFL players, which in my opinion is undoubtedly true, is that when a player is happy off-field, he plays better onfield, and I can vouch for that. I’ve been so happy since moving to the area. I’ve felt a real sense of purpose away from football, and for the first time since I’ve left high school, felt like I’m more than just a footballer, that I’m building something meaningful. Richmond has been kind enough to let me pursue a passion, and in return, I feel it has made a massive difference to my football and life balance. So, no, I don’t have any plans to change anything.

WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PLAYING FOOTY AND MANAGING A WINERY?

As a footballer or an athlete, you learn quickly that there is a strong correlation between hard work and success. What you put into your body, into your preparation and training, pays off in how you perform in a game. I find this applies directly to our farm as well, the effort, the nutrients, and attention to detail makes a difference to the wine, the taste and the experience. It all makes a difference in the end product, and it’s worth the extra effort.

I GUESS YOUR WEEKENDS ARE PRETTY BUSY FOR NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, BUT WHAT WOULD YOUR IDEAL WEEKEND IN THE REGION BE?

I’d suggest that you entrench yourself in some good cellar doors around the area, there is a lot of great wine being made right on the doorstep of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges. I would visit as many as I could and get talking to those behind the bar; they’ll often be the owner or winemaker! This is the cool thing about the region which is vastly different from many parts of Australia. The owner pays special attention and care that you may not see elsewhere, and the result is that you can learn a lot more about wine, first hand.

Mount Macedon Winery cellar door is open four days a week, Thursday to Sunday.

It is a popular spot for weddings and events year-round, and they have a cosy retreat available for a weekend away for two. Being 30 minutes from the airport and an hour from Melbourne, it’s convenient and within reach but feels worlds away. mountmacedonwinery.com.au

Photos (opposite page): Dylan Grimes. Photograph by Julian Kingma Mount Macedon Winery

Daylesford Macedon Life | 25

CHILLOUT FESTIVAL BREAKING RECORDS IN DAYLESFORD Lee Sandwith

SPEND TIME AT THE DAYLESFORD HOTEL WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING Cold beers on tap and great local wines.

Sunday spit roast dinners and a new menu with loads of shareable options.

A

ChillOut Street Parade. Photograph by Michelle Dunn

s the in-coming Festival Director for

the nationally celebrated ChillOut Festival, Michele Bauer had a clear vision of how she wanted the festival to unfold in the new decade.

As Australia’s longest running and largest regional pride festival, Bauer understood that to ensure its continued cultural significance, ChillOut needed to shift to being more than just a celebration of regional LGBTIQ communities.

That shift is a clear direction in creating content which encourages diversity and catering to more savvy audiences. The festival in 2020 aims to contribute more to the health and wellbeing that people aspire to.

“Statistically, the LGBTIQ community are at greater risk,” Bauer shares. “ChillOut wants to be a positive influence by offering programming that supports a healthier community, and we are working to create a more positive narrative.”

LUNCH FRI - SUN 12-3PM DINNER 7 NIGHTS FROM 6PM

03 5348 2335

2 BURKE SQUARE DAYLESFORD DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

Daylesford Macedon Life | 26

Bauer acknowledges that the unique appeal of Daylesford as a wellness destination, and the home of ChillOut, supports attendees feeling uplifted and included. “Daylesford as a community is one that is very accepting,” she says, “which is testament to why we have such a diverse array of attendees coming from near and far to celebrate

at ChillOut. We hope to see more diversity in 2020 and beyond.”

“There will always be a party aspect to any pride festival,” Bauer shares. “However, the LGBTIQ community has gone through much change over the past 50 years. ChillOut aims to be a positive force alongside these changes in a way that supports the wellbeing of everyone within it.”

A key event in the festival program for 2020 is an official Book of Records attempt for Australia’s Largest Human Rainbow. The Daylesford attempt to create this Australian Record will be “a collective symbol of solidarity and acceptance for the LGBTIQ community”.

“We’d show the world that Australians, and regionally based Australians at that, truly stand for and believe in equality and diversity.”

The ChillOut Festival is calling for 10,000 community members, allies, families, and supporters to come together at Victoria Park in Daylesford on Saturday 7th March at 2pm to celebrate. This event is family-friendly, dogfriendly and an accessible event.

CHILLOUT FESTIVAL March 5-9 2020 chilloutfestival.com.au

THE ROAD TO ATTWOODS Patrick Eckel

T

hose who have followed Attwoods wines over the past decade have seen their star continue to rise. The wines, for the most part, have been produced from mature vineyards in Bannockburn, in the Geelong region, to much critical acclaim.

Attwoods can be found in some of Australia’s best restaurants; namely Attica and Brae, and there is a continued increase in overseas demand, based on word of mouth rather than marketing.

Troy and Jane Walsh are the owners of Attwoods, with Troy, an ex-Sommelier also the winemaker. Troy has spent several vintages in Burgundy and doesn’t look to recreate Burgundian wines in Australia, but has a bias to minimal intervention. He emphasises a pragmatic approach in both the vineyard and winery, only doing what the vintage conditions necessitate rather than following the textbook year in year out. His wines speak of this approach with wild yeast ferment, a generous proportion of new oak and bottling on-site without any fining or filtration.

The name ‘Attwoods’ refers to the road on which the Walsh’s family house and closely planted Ballarat vineyard has been established. The philosophy behind the label is to produce from a number of exceptional single vineyard sites, with the wines representing the location, from which the grapes were grown, rather than the winemaker.

“His wines speak of this approach with wild yeast ferment, a generous proportion of new oak and bottling on-site without any fining or filtration.”

Troy has always had his eye on producing wines from the Macedon Ranges, given its position as the coolest wine-growing region on mainland Australia. When the opportunity arose to take over the management of the vineyard and establish Attwoods at the cellar door at Glenlyon Estate, Troy jumped at the chance.

The Glenlyon Estate cellar door is a stone’s throw from Daylesford, beautifully appointed in its surroundings.

Open on weekends and mid-week by appointment, it is a must-visit cellar door within the region.

The vines were established circa 1996 with pinot noir and chardonnay the predominate varieties. In taking over the vineyard, there has been a significant amount of regenerative work to ensure the fruit quality in years to come, with a preference for organic viticulture. Troy is looking forward to further exploring the subtle nuances and potential of the site and the wines produced are sure to impress, based on the combination of winemaker and vineyard.

@winereviewer_au attwoodswines.com.au glenlyonestate.com

AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL SUNDAY MAY 17

Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays. Open daily during school holidays. Entry fee applies.

350 Hepburn-Newstead Road, Shepherds Flat (10 min north of Daylesford) | 03 5476 4393 | lavandula.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 27

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LUXXDAYLESFORD.COM. AU

BEST OF THE BEST

THE REGION’S TROPHY CABINET GETS BIGGER Narenna Bloomfield If you’re looking for excellence on your getaway, then the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is the place to find it. Here are highlights of some of the awards achieved by the esteemed businesses in our region this year.

W

hen it comes to the very best accommodation, Clifftop at Hepburn delivers in spades.

This year they were voted Stayz Australia’s Most Unique Accommodation; and Stayz Australia’s No.1 Holiday Home across all categories from 55,000 holiday homes. And you can see why.

The villas stop traffic. Another accommodation that has received accolades is quiet achiever, Samadhi Wellness Spa Health Retreat - awarded the Global Winner of ‘Luxury Healing Retreat’ in the World Luxury Hotel Awards, an incredible achievement, against nominations from over 50 countries.

and The Australian Hot 50 Restaurants. It is a credit to Alla Wolf-Tasker and her dedication to innovation and excellence.

Our region punches well above its weight for

And what are our award-winning restaurants serving?

Local produce! Our producers have represented in the 2019 Delicious Produce awards. Brooklands Free Range Farm celebrated a win for their 100% Grass Fed British White Beef and Sher Wagyu for their Ribeye, Adsum Farmhouse for their Seasonal Fresh Produce and Milking Yard Farm for their Poulette Royale Chicken. We have a showcase of winning gins and liqueurs. Big Tree Distillery achieved double gold status at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Mountain Distilling came home with a gold for

great food spots. We have more of the best food experiences per capita than any other part of Victoria or, for that matter, Australia. Take, for example, in the 2020 Delicious Top 100 restaurants, we had six spots including Lake House, Midnight Starling, Source Dining, du Fermier, Red Hill Hotel and The Royal George. Our chefs like to wear their 2020 Good Food Guide Chef Hats with pride, with four awarded to Lake House (2 hats), Midnight Starling (1 hat) and Source Dining (1 hat). This year Lake House continued to shine, being recognised in Australia’s Best Food and Wine Property in the Luxury Travel Gold List, The Gourmet Traveller Top 50 Restaurants

their gin at the recent 2019 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London and Herbal Lore’s Escalibor Liqueur achieved a silver in the London Spirits Competition. In wine, two of our cool climate wineries were recognised as ‘Young Guns of Wine’, and were included in the Top 50 Winemakers - Ben Ranken from Wilimee, and Liam O’Brien and Matt Brooke from Athletes of Wine. Granite Hills Winery, one of our most awarded boutique wineries, received two awards at the 2019 Victorian Wine Show, the largest wine show in Australia. So, raise your glass or, better yet, come by and support our winners who work tirelessly to be the best.

Photos (L-R): Bruce Burton of Milking Yard Farm.

Photograph by News Corp Australia.

Big Tree Distillery’s Elegent Dry GiN, Adsum Farmhouse

Clifftop at Hepburn - clifftopathepburn.com.au Samadhi Wellness Spa Health Retreat samadhiretreat.com.au

Lake House - lakehouse.com.au Midnight Starling - midnightstarling.com.au Source Dining - sourcedining.com.au du Fermier - anniesmithers.com.au Red Hill Hotel - redhillhotel.com.au The Royal George - royalgeorge.com.au Brooklands Free Range Farm facebook.com/BrooklandsFreeRangeFarms

Adsum Farmhouse - adsumfarmhouse.com.au Milking Yard Farm - milkingyardfarm.com.au Big Tree Distillery - bigtreedistillery.com.au Mountain Distilling - mountaindistilling.com Herbal Lore - herballoreliqueurs.com Wilimee - wilimeewines.com.au Athletes of Wine - athletesofwine.com.au Granite Hills Winery - granitehills.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 29

EAT

•

DRINK

•

SLEEP

•

BE LOCAL

FARMERS ARMS HOTEL DAYLESFORD Experience Daylesford in an authentic and unique way. Enjoy a stay in our luxe chic & modern Art Suites, located directly across the road from our iconic gastro-pub with a 2 night mid-week stay package at “The Farmers”.

Package includes a dinner at the iconic Farmers Arms gastro pub to the value of $100 and daily breakfast at the popular Cliffy’s Emporium.

Recieve a FREE upgrade to Superior Suite and a welcome drink on arrival.

Book now to get this offer for $450 (Valued at $750).

Details below for direct booking

FREE WI-Fi FREE On-site parking FREE In-room mini bar FREE Daily housekeeping FREE Tea & espresso coffee FREE L’Occiatane toiletries FREE Inclusive late checkout

SISTER HOTEL IN BALLAN OPENING 2020 2 EAST STREET, DAYLESFORD. VIC 3460 • OPEN 7 DAYS LUNCH & DINNER • 03 5348 2091 • THEFARMERSARMS.COM.AU

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Home to a broad and rapidly growing range of classes and workshops, the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region provides those wanting to explore their creative side with plenty of options to choose from. Whether it’s a cooking class, learning the skills of dry stone walling or making your own chair, there is literally something for everyone! Keep in mind that many of these classes book out quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.

ART IN NATURE STUDIO AND WORKSHOPS - MALDON

INTUITIVE COLOUR CREATIONS WORKSHOP – KYNETON – MARCH 14TH

Immersion in nature and drawing are both really, really good for your mental health.

Combine the two and you have an extraordinarily fulfilling experience. Get your mental health fix and book a class or workshop at Nature Lab Studio on 240 acres of natural bush, just five minutes from Maldon.

Intuitive art is all about letting go of everyday life; being ‘in the now’. During this one-day session you will receive a Spirale colour reading to help you tune in to who you are, then one-on-one coaching in abstract art techniques, releasing your artistic self-expression. Your artwork will then be interpreted by a psychic medium to reveal its hidden meaning. All tools and materials are provided, as well as a delicious lunch created from local organic produce.

For further information contact Sally Anderson: sally@artinature.com.au DIGGERS WORKSHOP – BLACKWOOD - APRIL 26TH

Diggers’ Head Gardener, Julian Blackhirst, is conducting guided tours of the beautiful garden at the Garden of St Erth, in Blackwood, at 11am and 1pm as part of the National Trust’s Heritage Festival. These are free with garden entry, and for the month of April, Diggers Club members are also able to bring a guest for free (it’s usually $10 entry for non-members).

theoldauctionhouse.com.au/classes PETTY KITCHEN KNIFE ONE DAY COURSE – KYNETON - SATURDAYS

MILLET ROAD MAKER HOT CROSS BUN & SWEET SOURDOUGH WORKSHOP -

A great introduction to knife making, with a maximum of two students. You make - and take home - a stock removal petty knife with a full tang micarta handle. The petty knife is useful in the kitchen when you don’t want to pick up a large chef knife; great for prepping veggies, fruit and cheese. You finish with a sharpening class, learning how to sharpen your handmade knife using Japanese water stones, and how to maintain the edge at home.

GISBORNE SOUTH – APRIL 5TH

rowsaan.com/courses

diggers.com.au/shop/events/st-erth

In this special, once-a-year sourdough workshop, you will learn how to create your own sourdough sweet treats! Just in time for Easter, you’ll make sourdough hot cross buns, scrolls, and more. You’ll get a recipe booklet, your own sourdough starter and head-milled wheat, morning tea, lunch and loads of goodies. Places are limited to just six people. millettroadmaker.com.au/workshops MOUNTAIN GIN FORAGING WORKSHOP – MT MACEDON

Join the founders of Mountain Distilling for a foraging walk on Mount Macedon to discover two of the signature native botanicals using in their award-winning ‘Mountain Gin’. Use code ‘VISITVIC’ upon check out.

NATURE JOURNALING WORKSHOP – FOREST GLADE GARDENS, MOUNT MACEDON – APRIL 3RD

Nature journaling is the practice of drawing or writing in response to nature. It’s fun and relaxing, calms your mind, increases your attention to detail and appreciation of beauty, and helps you to connect with nature. The result is your own unique nature journal. Worried that you can’t draw or write? No problem! In this workshop you’ll learn simple exercises that will help allay your fears and get those creative juices flowing. paperbarkwriter.com

mountaindistilling.com

Daylesford Macedon Life | 31

WHAT’S ON IN AUTUMN TO FIND OUT WHAT’S ON ANY GIVEN DAY, VISIT: facebook.com/daylesfordmacedonranges/events

MARCH 1 5-9 7 7 7-9 7-9 7 8 8 - 10 8 8 8

Rosa Mitchell’s Sicilian Feast, The Surly Goat, Hepburn ChillOut Festival, Daylesford The Silver Streak Dinner Train, Daylesford Australian Record Attempt for Largest Human Rainbow, Daylesford Arts Open, Castlemaine, Newstead, Maldon, Chewton Woodend Lions Art Show Wombat Classic Mountain Biking, Woodend Splish Splash with Art Simone, Hepburn Bathhouse Annual Historic Vehicle Show, Clunes Bullarto Tractor Pull and Vehicle Display Musk Farm Garden Tour and Devonshire Tea Taradale Mineral Springs Festival

13 13 14 - 15 14 15 19 - 29 19 19 20 21 21 22 22 22

Night Walk at Hanging Rock Art Magic Weekend Retreat at Linga Longa, Hepburn Springs Arts Open, Castlemaine, Newstead, Maldon, Chewton Macedon Ranges Music Festival, New Gisborne Cheese Making for Lovers of Cheese, Blampied Harvest Festival, Creswick Anh Do the Happiest Refugee, Kyneton Town Hall Mamma Mia The Concert, Palais Hepburn The Pikeman at Holgate Brewhouse, Woodend Daylesford Polo Harmony Day, Woodend Children’s Park Festival of Small Halls, Glenlyon Musk Farm Garden Tour and Devonshire Tea Oak & Monkey Puzzle Autumn Open Garden day

Mar 30 - Apr 1 Mar 30 - Apr 9

Windcrafting for Kids, Kyneton Town Hall School Holiday Fun at the Creswick Woollen Mill

Daylesford Macedon Life | 32

APRIL 4 4 4 4 4 8 9 - 13 9 - 13 10 10 - 14 11 15 15 18 18 - 19

The Silver Streak Dinner Train, Daylesford 50 years of the Carpenters’, Macedon Railway Hotel Musk Farm Garden Tour and Devonshire Tea The Black Sorrows, Palais-Hepburn Camp Out at the Rock, Hanging Rock Daylesford Heritage Train Rides Holiday Program Trentham Easter Art & Craft Show Maldon Easter Fair Meet the Easter Bunny at the Creswick Woollen Mill Greg Mallyon Open Studio, Daylesford Afternoon Session at Daylesford Cider Daylesford Heritage Train Rides Holiday Program Bohemian Twilight Market at Kryal Castle Murder Mystery at Kryal Castle Open Gardens Victoria Musk Farm

18 25 26

Run the Rock, Hanging Rock Traditional Wooden Longbow Making, Trentham Castlemaine Agriculture Feature Show

MAY 2 2 2-3 8-9 9 9 - 10 10 10 15 15 17 20 - 26 23 29

The Silver Streak Dinner Train, Daylesford Spudfest, Trentham Clunes Booktown Festival Mother’s Day High Tea at the Creswick Woollen Mill The Brackenbury Challenge, Creswick Andersons Mill Heritage Weekend Musk Farm Garden Tour and Devonshire Tea Braided Rag Rugs Workshop, Blampied Katie Noonan, Palais Hepburn 2020 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, Kyneton Lavandula Harvest Festival, Daylesford Celebrate Everything Wool at the Creswick Woollen Mill Musk Farm Garden Tour and Devonshire Tea Archie Roach: Tell Me Why, Kyneton Town Hall

MARKETS EVERY WEDNESDAY - Castlemaine Farmers’ Market EVERY SATURDAY - Wesley Hill, Castlemaine EVERY SUNDAY - Daylesford Sunday Market 1ST SATURDAY - Woodend Farmers’ Market 1ST SUNDAY - Gisborne Olde Time Market, Gisborne Miniature & Model Railways Rides, Castlemaine Artist Market (ex. January), Castlemaine Farmers’ Market (ex. January) 2ND SATURDAY - Ballan Farmers’ Market, Kyneton Farmers’ Market, Kyneton Community Market, Sunbury Farmers’ Market, Trentham Mini Market 2ND SUNDAY - Clunes Farmers’ Market, Maldon Market, Woodend Village Market 3RD SATURDAY - Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market, Trentham Farmers’ Market , Creswick Market 3RD SUNDAY - Malmsbury Farmers’ Market, Talbot Farmers’ Market 4TH SATURDAY - Harcourt Twilight Market

THE OLD AUCTION HOUSE ARTS PRECINCT

AUTUMN EVENTS EVERY SUNDAY - Daylesford Spa Heritage Railway EVERY SUNDAY (until the end of April) – Pizza and Pooches, Cleveland Winery EVERY DAY IN AUTUMN - Gardens of Tieve Tara EVERY WEEKEND FROM 4 APRIL TO 3 MAY PLUS EASTER MONDAY - Mica Grange Autumn Open Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Sutton Grange LONG WEEKEND IN MARCH TO APRIL 25 - Frogmore Gardens Autumn Season, Newbury

52-56 Mollison ST, KYNETON OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM - 5PM M-F, 10AM - 4PM S-S FREE ENTRY - PRAM / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GIFTSHOP INDEPENDENT

STUDIOS HANDMADE

GALLERY AUSTRALIAN

www.theoldauctionhouse.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 33

FABULOUS FOOD & DRINK

ANIMUS DISTILLERY

CLIFFY’S EMPORIUM

HANGING ROCK WINERY

1/89a Piper Street, Kyneton animusdistillery.com | 03 5403 2431

Coffee, dining, local produce, wine cliffysemporium.com.au | 03 5348 3279

Wine tasting, picnics, cheeseboards hangingrock.com.au | 03 5427 0542

DAS KAFFEEHAUS

MOUNT MACEDON WINERY

MOUNTAIN DISTILLING

The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine coffeebasics.com | 03 5470 6270

Open Thursday - Sunday from 11:30am mountmacedonwinery.com.au | 03 5427 4172

4 Taylors Road, Mount Macedon mountaindistilling.com | 0455 175 553

PARKLAND KYNETON

SAULT RESTAURANT

WOODBERRY CAFÉ

37c Piper Street, Kyneton parklandkyneton.com.au | 03 5422 3769

Freshest regional produce sault.com.au | 03 5348 6555

3B/81 High Street, Woodend woodberrycafe.com.au | 03 5427 3399

Daylesford Macedon Life | 34

ACCOMMODATION

ACRE OF ROSES

DAYLESFORD GLAMPING

FLOP HOUSE - STAYS AND SOUVENIRS

5 Blue Mount Road, Trentham acreofroses.com.au | 0405 032 566

3021 Ballan - Daylesford Road, Daylesford daylesfordglamping.com.au | 03 5348 3821

Reception: 64 Piper Street, Kyneton flophouse.com.au | 0438 260 671

L’ATELIER DAYLESFORD

L’PAPILLON DAYLESFORD

MOUNT OLIVE DAYLESFORD

Boutique apartment Daylesford abnb.me/asHuJ7ib1U | 0408 589 520

Cottage accommodation Daylesford thehousesdaylesford.com | 03 5348 2008

Luxury accommodation mountolive.com.au | 03 5348 4422

MUST EXPLORE The goldfields town of Clunes has claims to fame beyond being the place of Victoria’s first gold strike in 1851. It is one of the most intact 19th century towns in the central goldfields, boasting original shop fronts and buildings.

MUSK FARM - DAYLESFORD REGION

SKY HIGH MOUNT FRANKLIN

Accommodation, Garden Tours, Weddings www.muskfarm.com | 0407 264 275

Luxury rural retreat skyhighmtfranklin.com | 0407 810 576

The best time to visit is autumn, the streets come alive with established deciduous trees, and the town is abuzz with the Booktown festival on the 2nd 3rd of May visithepburnshire.com.au/clunes

Daylesford Macedon Life | 35

WHAT TO DO

ARTS OPEN STUDIO CATHERINE TAIT

BIG TREE DISTILLERY - MAKERS OF GIN

CLUNES BOOKTOWN FESTIVAL

March 7, 8, 9, 14 & 15. 10am - 4pm catherinetaitartist.com.au | 0419 119 047

Home of the GiN Bug & Tasting Room bigtreedistillery.com.au | 0400 998 943

May 2 & 3, 2020. Clunes clunesbooktown.com.au

ENDOTA SPA

THE GREAT TRENTHAM SPUDFEST

HEPBURN LAGOON TRAIL RIDES

Cnr Vincent Street & Central Springs Road, Daylesford endotaspa.com.au/daylesford | 03 5348 1169

2 May, 2020 - Food & Fun for All! trenthamspudfest.org.au | 0419 930 864

60 Telegraph Road, Newlyn North hepburnlagoonrides.com.au | 0408 059 125

KRYAL CASTLE

MAZE HOUSE

THE OLD AUCTION HOUSE ARTISAN GIFTS

121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek kryalcastle.com.au | 03 5334 8500

Hedge maze, carnival garden, café mazehouse.com.au | 0437 842 018

52-56 Mollison Street, Kyneton theoldauctionhouse.com.au | 03 5422 2047

Daylesford Macedon Life | 36

SHINING LIGHT FOR SOLAR Narenna Bloomfield

A

ten-year plan to turn the Hepburn Shire, in Central Victoria, into a model zeronet emissions community was launched in Daylesford on April 4th last year. The Z-Net Community Transition Plan is a detailed master plan for the Hepburn Shire reaching 100% renewable electricity supply, zero-net energy and zero-net emissions by 2029.

Interesting for guests but a useful business tool for David.

David Penman, owner of the innovative, multi award-winning boutique accommodation, Clifftop at Hepburn, saw the chance to align his property with the region’s aspirations and engaged another innovator, Tesla, to fit out each villa with a solar system and Powerwall – Tesla’s home battery system - as well as a Wall Connector to enable charging of Tesla’s all-

Tesla Powerwall allows the villas to use more of their solar by storing the excess energy and using it at night, which roughly doubles the amount of solar energy that directly powers the villas.

electric cars.

outages. The Powerwall kicks in, our guests stay isn’t impacted, and protects our devices from damage.”

Clifftop at Hepburn offers three, luxurious villas that each offer a unique blend of indulgent romance, homely haute couture, intoxicating design and funky technology.

Since solar and Powerwall was installed, each villa has reduced its grid power consumption by 95%. In addition, the Tesla app gives both guests and David access to real-time information – how much power has been generated, what is being stored and used.

“If we foresee storms or conditions that will reduce power generation, we can set the Powerwall storage level remotely, on our mobile, from anywhere in the world, without interrupting our guests’ stay,” explains David.

“A hidden benefit, that is becoming more apparent as we use the system is our protection from power

With the villas offsetting most of their grid usage through solar and Powerwall, Clifftop at Hepburn is contributing to a Zero-Net Emissions Community, a benefit to locals and visitors alike. clifftopathepburn.com.au

Clifftop at Hepburn

HOW TO GET HERE AND DISCOVER MORE BUSES AND TRAINS

Journey times are approximate only. Full details on train and coach details can be found on vline.com.au

GISBORNE - Southern Cross Station to Gisborne Station (45 min)

DRIVING TIMES AND DISTANCE

CRESWICK - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Creswick Station (1 hr 40 min)

MELBOURNE - DAYLESFORD

80 MIN

113 KM

MELBOURNE - WOODEND

55 MIN

71 KM

MELBOURNE - CASTLEMAINE

90 MIN

129 KM

MACEDON - Southern Cross Station to Macedon Station (55 min)

DAYLESFORD - Southern Cross Station to Ballan Station, coach to Bridport Street, Daylesford OR Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station, coach to Bridport Street, Daylesford (1 hr 55 min)

DAYLESFORD - CRESWICK

20 MIN

27 KM

LANCEFIELD - Southern Cross Station to Sunbury Station, coach from Brook Street Sunbury to High Street, Lancefield (1 hr 5 min)

CLUNES - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Clunes Station (2 hrs 15 min)

DAYLESFORD - TRENTHAM

25 MIN

27 KM

DAYLESFORD - CLUNES

34 MIN

40 KM

WOODEND - Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station (1 hr)

TALBOT - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Talbot Station (2 hrs 30 min)

CLUNES - CRESWICK

16 MIN

18 KM

TRENTHAM - WOODEND

20 MIN

23 KM

Daylesford Macedon Tourism is not responsible for changes or delays to scheduled services running in our region.

DAYLESFORD - MALMSBURY

25 MIN

30 KM

MALMSBURY - KYNETON

10 MIN

11 KM

KYNETON - LANCEFIELD

25 MIN

32 KM

KYNETON - WOODEND

15 MIN

16 KM

BACCHUS MARSH - Southern Cross Station to Bacchus Marsh Station (50 min)

KYNETON - Southern Cross Station to Kyneton Station (1 hr 5 min) CASTLEMAINE - Southern Cross Station to Castlemaine Station (1 hr 25 min) TRENTHAM - Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station, coach to Market Street, Trentham (1 hr 30 min)

Daylesford Macedon Life | 37

- RECIPE -

POTATO GNOCCHI, TALEGGIO AND SPECK

by Leonardo Catarcia, Head Chef of the Argus Dining Room, Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel Born and raised in the Italian countryside of Umbria region, only a few kilometres from the rolling hills of sangiovese and sagrantino, I grew up surrounded by good food and wine. From the moment I first visited the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area in 2017, I felt like I had found my second home. The amazing local produce, wine and an incredibly passionate network of small producers and suppliers continue to inspire me every day.

Prep: 15 minutes / Bake: 2 hours 15 minutes / Serves: 6 INGREDIENTS: Gnocchi • 1kg raw spuds (find yours at a local farm gate during your visit – Dutch Creams and Desiree are the best) • 100 g plain flour • 150 g buckwheat flour • 2 tablespoon grated parmesan • 1 egg (Googie Eggs - a small-scale free-range farm, Clydesdale) • Salt & pepper Crunchy speck and kale • 200 g speck thinly sliced • 150 g Tuscan kale thinly sliced

Taleggio Cream • 2 sliced shallots • 250 g chardonnay • 100 g sherry • 1 tbsp butter • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp black peppercorns • 5 juniper berries • 300 g pure cream • 80 g taleggio

@theargusdiningroom Savour Leo’s dishes at Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, The Argus Dining Room restaurant, open to public for breakfast lunch and dinner, seven days.

METHOD: Gnocchi

Taleggio Cream

Ready to serve

Roast your whole potatoes in the oven until cooked

Cook your sliced shallots in a frying pan with some

– this should take around an hour - and then while still hot, pass the soft potato centres through a mouli or ricer into a bowl. Let the potatoes cool down and then mix with the remaining ingredients to form a dough.

butter until golden, deglaze with wine and sherry and add bay leaves, black peppercorn and juniper berries.

Reduce your liquid by two thirds.

Boil a large saucepan of salted water and add the gnocchi until they start floating. You may need to do this in small batches to prevent the gnocchi from sticking together. As they rise to the surface, remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon, and add them into a pan with the taleggio cream. Toss to cover the gnocchi in the delicious sauce and plate up. Decorate your dish with crunchy speck and kale and you are ready to serve. Pair this dish with a chardonnay that has spent a bit of time in oak and wouldn’t be overpowered by the richness of the dish, otherwise drink with a lighter red like a pinot or a young sangiovese.

Flour your work surface to shape your dough. If the dough is too sticky add a little more flour, but be careful not to make it too dry − too much flour will make the gnocchi hard and heavy. Shape your dough into a roll, the thickness of a finger. Using a sharp knife, cut each roll into even pieces 2−4 cm long. As you cut your gnocchi, lay them on a floured tea towel in a single layer until you are ready to cook.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 38

Bring your cream to the boil, stir in the taleggio and add the reduction. Blend with a hand mixer and pass the liquid through a fine sieve.

Crunchy speck and kale Place your speck in an oven at 60 degrees and dehydrate for 2 hours. Quickly deep fry your kale until it is crunchy. Rest on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

A short stay goes a long way.

It’s been a tough start to the year for many of us and the show of support from the community has been incredible. Many parts of the state have been unaffected by bushfires and are welcoming visitors - and we stand with affected communities as they recover.

So, what can we do to help? It’s simple. Go on a road trip, stay a while.

Enjoy a warm afternoon at a winery or a night glamping under the stars and buy local. Collectively, we can get regional Victoria back on its feet.

Because a short stay goes a long way.

Plan your next trip at visitvictoria.com

#visitvictoria

PHILLIP ISLAND GLAMPING