Bespoke Items Created at Cosy Iron

Hollydene Estate

Bespoke Items Lovingly Created at Cosy Iron

WORDS Claire Bradshaw

When you order a handmade wrought-iron product from Cosy Iron Design, you’re not just getting a piece of metal. You’re getting a physical manifestation of an ageold artisanal craft, and the culmination of 50+ years of experience from artistic blacksmith René Rasmussen.

In fact, a drive around Wine Country is all that’s needed to reveal some beautiful bespoke pieces created by René, adding an elegant finishing touch to both wineries and restaurants alike.

René and his wife Judith emigrated to Australia from Denmark 25 years ago. Back in their home country, René was carrying on the tradition of blacksmithing and iron artistry that had been passed through generations in his family since 1784. Following his grandfather and uncles into the craft in 1969, he served his apprenticeship repairing horse carts and shoeing draft horses for Carlsberg Breweries, then trained in orthopaedic horseshoeing and became a certified farrier.

From there, it was on to the highest of heights: as well as taking over his old master’s contract with Carlsberg, René was appointed to the

Specialising in artistic restoration and new works, Danish born René Rasmussen has the blacksmith’s skill to restore and recreate the style of yesteryear in many creative and varied forms. HAND FORGED WROUGHT IRON • EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY Since 1784

~ Former blacksmith and farrier for the Queen of Denmark ~ Former blacksmith and farrier for Carlsberg breweries ~ Traditional Danish Family Blacksmiths since 1784

619A Medowie Road, Medowie Ph 4981 7174 | M 0402 190 835 E cosyiron@optusnet.com.au www.cosyiron.com.au

Ivanhoe Wines

Danish Royal Stables, becoming the blacksmith and farrier to the Queen of Denmark! This involved shoeing the royal horses and carrying out artistic blacksmithing at some of the Queen’s castles – a high-profile role indeed.

But after a while, René decided he was ready for a new challenge. And so, in 1995, he and Judith packed a shipping container full of René’s heirloom blacksmith tools and set off for Australia, bringing all that experience and expertise to our shores. Those same heirloom tools still serve René today, as he and Judith create new works and artistic restorations from their Cosy Iron Design workshop in Medowie.

René is the embodiment of the old-fashioned artisan. Follow the sounds of hammer and anvil, and you’ll find him ensconced in his forge, working with a combination of traditional and modern tools to create bespoke items for all manner of clients. Judith, affectionately dubbed ‘The Master’s Apprentice’ by her husband, adds her creative talents to the mix as well; a diploma-certified welder with a good knowledge of fabrication and steel manufacturing, she sculpts her own original designs for smaller products such as wine racks and candelabras.

Cosy Iron products are a combination of age-old artistry and uncompromising quality. René and Judith work together in collaboration with architects, designers, builders, fabricators and individual clients to create a mix of classic and modern wrought-iron designs. They specialise in restoration as well as new work, so whether you’ve got a functional or decorative piece that needs some attention or you’re in search of something new, Cosy Iron is the place to call.

Attention to detail and a keen eye for classic design elements shine through in every custom-made piece. The husband-and-wife team’s repertoire includes various indoor and outdoor furniture items; Juliet balconies and staircases; gates, fences and security grilles; fire screens and tools; hinges, brackets and hand-forged nails; candelabras and mirrors; beds and bedheads; flower boxes and garden items; wine racks and hat and coat stands; unique sculptures; wedding accessories; and much more. If you have a unique one-off piece in mind, be it large or small, all you need to do is talk to the Cosy Iron team.

In an age of mass production where the art of handcrafting sometimes seems all but lost, master craftspeople like René are a rare find. So if you do commission a product from Cosy Iron Design, be sure to treasure it. Not only will it become a unique focal point in your home or garden, it can also be passed down as an heirloom for years to come.

The Cosy Iron Design workshop is located at 619A Medowie Road, Medowie. For more info on the products and services available, or to obtain a quote for your next special project, call 4981 7174, or visit www.cosyiron.com.au P

e Cellar Restaurant delivers modern contemporary Australian cuisine, utilising local and seasonal quality ingredients. Dine in our indoor garden seing or outside in the courtyard.

Try our NEW Autumn menu!

A NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE Every second Wednesday of the month Join us and the Hunter's newest Chefs for a night of food, wine and fun that you’re sure to remember. Choose from an impressive 2 or 3 course tasting menu. BYO encouraged or choose from our extensive wine menu.

Located at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Road Pokolbin • Phone 4998 7584 Lunch from 12pm Mon – Sat; Dinner from 6pm Mon – Sat www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au

Deliciously

Fresh Seven Day Dining at OISHII

It’s the only Asian restaurant in a winery, and Oishii Japanese Thai Restaurant is also one of few restaurants in wine country that are open seven days a week. WORDS Di von Essen

With this in mind, we decided to take up the opportunity to have dinner at this popular restaurant in the middle of the week. Given its reputation, we weren’t really surprised to see just how busy this charming familyowned and operated restaurant was.

Dining at Oishii is like few other restaurant experiences, and it is easy to see why Oishii has become a highly recommended and favourite dining destination amongst locals and visitors.

Located within the Roche Estate complex on Broke Road in Pokolbin and overlooking the architecturally designed amphitheatre and vines, Oishii provides a conveniently located, relaxed and affordable dining alternative with dishes designed to please every palate.

The menu at Oishii is a combination of two Asian cultures - Thai and Japanese and includes all the traditional Thai favourites such as Thai fish cakes, stir-fried vegetables with soft tofu, chicken cashew nuts, green curry chicken and other fragrant Thai curries. The menu is further enhanced by a range of Japanese dishes that include assorted sushi and sashimi selections.

There are also a variety of vegetarian dishes. We decided on the chicken satay, and assorted sushi and nori rolls for the entree as well

yhv 28 | MAR-APR 2020 as the miso soup, which proved to be a perfect accompaniment to the Japanese dishes.

We then made a selection of three Thai dishes all served with steamed rice for main courses. Our first selection was the red curry king prawns. This dish was superbly presented, and the king prawns cooked to perfection with just a hint of lime and deliciously fresh vegetables. The sweet and sour chicken - looking colourful and healthy, was served with cucumber, tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms and with a tangy and incredibly delicious sweet and sour sauce.

Our final dish was also our favourite and a very traditional Thai meal. We’re clearly not alone, as the Panang duck curry, as I later discovered, is also one of the most popular dishes amongst Oishii's patrons. It came served with juicy and generous slices of skinless duck sitting within a deep-flavoured Panang curry sauce, and after the first taste it was easy to see why this dish was such a favourite – it was delicious and left us wanting more.

The dishes are perfect for sharing and ideal for families or groups of friends and the Japanese menu also offers Teppan Yaki and Terri Yaki options for those looking for a ‘taste of Japan.’

The setting is minimalist and with a Thai-themed dining room. Diners also have the option of dining outside on the terrace overlooking the vines - a perfect setting for those warmer days and evenings.

Oishii offers a real alternative for dining in the Hunter Valley and is an absolute must-do dining experience. For more information and menus, visit www.oishii.com.au, or to make a booking phone 4998 7051.

EST. 1999

SMART CASUAL DINING FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE ALSO WEDDINGS | EVENTS | PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

LOCATED ON THE VINE AT COCKFIGHTERS GHOST VINEYARD 576 DE BEYERS ROAD, POKOLBIN PH: 4998 7776 | info@huntersquarter.com.au www.huntersquarter.com.au

OPEN LUNCH THURS - SUN. DINNER THURS, FRI, SAT & MON.

Visit Saddler's Creek Wines and receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass and wine tasting valued at $20.

Located in the heart of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Chocolate Company has been a family owned and operated Hunter Valley gem for the last twenty years. Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience, with a tantalising range of premium hand-made chocolate and chocolate products plus more than 30 flavours of freshly made fudge!

Open 7 Days 9am – 5pm. Ph 4998 6999

Three Great Locations in Pokolbin: Twenty-3-Twenty – 2320 Broke Road Peterson House – Broke Road Hunter Valley Gardens – Shop 5, HVG, Broke Road

www.hvchocolate.com.au | admin@hvchocolate.com.au

FREE WINE GLASS & TASTING!