abalina cottages - Bright accommodation for singles, couples and families
Stay in our boutique development of two, near new, 4.5 star 3 bedroom/2 bathroom cottages which are only a 45 minute drive to Milawa.
King Valley Wine Region & Milawa Gourmet Food Region
The King Valley is a great place to call in on the way to Bright or on the way home. At the same time also visit Milawa Gourmet Food region - Milawa Cheese Factory, Milawa Mustards and The Olive Shop . Also call in to the new trendy cellar door and restaurant of Sam Miranda Wines (Snow Rd, Oxley).This new restaurant is mentioned in the 2008 Age Good Food Guide. Sam Miranda Wines describe their dining experieince as follows-
"One of the great pleasures of the mediterranean table is the lively sense on conviviality, manifested in the tradition of sharing small plates of food with the joy of wine. Keeping this in mind, our menu offers plates of the freshest seasonal and regional produce. True to the Miranda family heritage, these dishes are designed to share with friends and family, and there is sure to be something to ease that grumbling belly. We are open for light lunches from 11 -3pm and coffee and cake all day." from Sam Mirandas website www.sammiranda.com.au
The King River Cafe (also in Snow Rd, Oxley) is another popular place (with good ambience) for lunch or morning or afternoon tea.
All the information below has come direct (and unedited) from www.kvv.com.au the website for the King Valley Vignerons
From www.kvv.com.au (King Valley Vignerons)
"The King Valley winegrowing area in the North East of Victoria encompasses the watershed of the King Valley including the Oxley plains west to the Hume Highway at Glenrowan. The King River, which has two sources behind Mount Cobbler in the Victorian Alps runs approximately due North in a narrow fertile valley bounded by treelined hills to Edi, just south of Moyhu. From here the river meanders through the Oxley Plains for a further 30 kilometers to join the Ovens River at Wangaratta.
Wine grapes have been grown on the Oxley Plains since last century, with the Brown family operating their well-known, and now substantial, winery at Milawa continuously from 1889 to this day. In 1970, two innovative farmers started growing grapes in the upper reaches of the King Valley in the area between Moyhu and Whitfield. There are now 75 families in the King Valley dependant on grapes as their primary source of income.
The King Valley has now developed into one of Australia's largest specialist premium winegrowing areas, and represents about one third of premium Victorian production. Apart from it's scenic contribution as a grapegrowing region, the diversity of grape growing conditions provides a range of products, which covers the full spectrum of wine styles, from sparkling wines to fortified wines.
The King Valley has 1100 hectares of reds and 400 hectares of whites planted. These include Cabernet Sauvignon which represents the highest number of hectares, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Durif, Gamay, Mondeuse, Muscat. Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Meunier, Ruby Cabernet, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Traminer, Verdelho, Viognier and White Frontignac. Nebbiolo, Barbera, Tempranillo, Dolcetto, Graciano, Marzemino, Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio are also grown very successfully in the King Valley.
Areas of the King Valley's homoclime are very similar to the grapegrowing areas around Alba in the Piedmont and Spain and there is a trend towards new varieties and in particular Mediterranean varietals. This is a natural consequence of the fact that many of the growers in the King Valley are Italian or of Italian parentage and the local culture is strongly influenced by this factor. Food and wine play an important part in an Italian household so meals are enjoyable and the conversation is often garrulous.
Politini Wines Upper King River Road CHESHUNT VIC 3678 Tel.(03)57298277 Fax 57298373 Website: www.politiniwines.com.au Email: enquiry@politiniwines.com.au
"Established in 1989, our vineyard is located in the upper reaches of the beautiful King River valley. Our 2000 vintage is our first release and offers wine with premium quality and traditional varietal characteristics. Although we don't operate a cellar door at present we delight in providing tastings by appointment."
Boggy Creek Vineyards P/L, RMB 1780, Boggy Creek Road MYRRHEE, Tel: (03)57297587, Fax: (03)57297600, e-mail: mail@boggycreekvineyards.com
"Boggy Creek Vineyards is the bourique family winery of Graeme and Maggie Ray. The winery produces a range of crafted French and Italian varieties to discerning wine drinkers. The wines are available both locally and from the Cellar Door or by visiting our website, www.boggycreekvineyards.com "
Symphonia Wines, RMB 1760, Boggy Creek Road MYRRHEE VIC 3732, Tel: (03)57297519, Fax: (03)57297519, Email: readsymphonia@bigpond.com
Proprietor: Peter Read
"Symphonia Wines is known for its interesting and high quality wines. The table wines are based on more unusual varieties including the Russian Saperavi, the Spanish Tempranillo, the French Tarrat, Viognier and Petit Manseng, and the Italian Pinot Grigio. We also sell a well-regarded Pinot Chardonnay sparkling wine."
Burgoyne Wines, RMB 7536, WANGARATTA VIC 3678, Tel. (03)57221760, Email: burgoynewines@bigpond.com
"A small family winery, Kerry and Paul Burgoyne specialise in the production of low-volume hadmade wines from carefully selected fruit. Our wines receive oak barrel maturation for a year and bottle aging for a further year before release. We have no Cellar Door but tastings can be arranged by appointment and orders placed by mail,
e-mail or telephone. Please visit our website at: www.burgoynewines.com.au "
La Cantina King Valley, 54 Honey's Lane, KING VALLEY VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57293615, Fax: (03)57293613, e-mail: lacantina@netc.net.au
"Nestled in the heart of the King Valley is the Corsini family vineyard and winery. The winery is built from Glen Rowan granite rocks in traditional Tuscan style. The wine making techniques also follow these traditions with no preservatives added and no filtration, therefore retaining the full characteristics of each wine."
Please visit our website: www.lacantinakingvalley.com.au
King River Estate Wines Pty Ltd, Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, EDI VIC 3678, Tel:(03)57293689, Fax: (03)57293688, e-mail: krew@cnl.com.au
Proprietor: Trevor Knaggs.
"Located in the heart of the pictureesque King Valley at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, King River Estate has established a solid reputation fro producing high quality varietal wines. Visitors can purchase wine from the Cellar Door, tour the estate and stay in self-contained farm-style accommodation. (booking essential)"
Avalon Vineyard, Whitfield Road KING VALLEY VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57293629, Fax: (03)57293635, e-mail: avalonwines@netc.net.au
Proprietors. Doug and Rosa Groom.
"Avalon Vineyards is a boutique winery overlooking Mount Buffalo. Established in 1981, Doug Groom (the winemaker) strives to make the best handcrafted wines, his Shiraz highly recommended by 'Winewise' magazine for the last three vintages, together with his Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, (both sparkling and red wine), Rosado (rosé), Sangiovese, Merlot and late harvest Semillon."
Website: www.avalonwines.com.au Cellar Door opens 10.00am - 5.00pm daily.
Ciavarella Wines, Evans Lane OXLEY VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57273384, Fax: (03)57273384, e-mail: ciavwine@netc.net.au
"In picturesque surroundings beside the King River, Ciavarella Wines, established in 1978, is owned and operated by Jan and Cyril Ciavarella. Meet the winemakers, see their acclaimed reds and whites being made, taste the wines at the Cellar Door. Open 7 days, visitors welcome. Signpost on Snow Road (C522)".
Wood Park Wines, Milawa Cheese Factory, Factory Road MILAWA VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57273367, Fax: (03)57273682, e-mail: woodpark@netc.net.au Website: www.woodparkwines.com.au
"The wines here stand up for themselves - excellent Pinot Gris, Shiraz and Chardonnay, all very much in the cool-climate mode - and as part of the excellent Milawa Cheese Factory (don't be put of by the word "factory" - it's a great complex with much to offer), Wood Park is an essential stop for any visitor".
"Taste the cheese next door, stroll into the cellar door, grab an ice cream, wander at leisure through the art gallery and through the hand-crafted furniture workshop, then settle back in the restaurant for a (decent) coffee. All in all, it's a pretty good way in which to while away the afternoon."- Gourmet Traveller Wine Oct/Nov 2005.
Gracebrook Vineyards, 4446 Whitfield Road KING VALLEY VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57293562, Fax: (03)57293684 e-mail: gracebrook@bigpond.com website: www.gracebrook.com.au
"Proprietors of Gracebrook Vineyards, Rhonda and David Maples, are growing some 90 acres of grapevines on sites ranging from Chardonnay on the fertile valley floor to Merlot & Sangiovése on the slopes, with Shiraz up on the steep ground. A Cellar Door has been incorporated into the original 'Hazeldene' stable that was first constructed in the late 1800's. It is currently open from 10am to 5pm daily for wine tastings and sales and for light lunches, coffee and cake. Group and corporate bookings welcome."
Brown Brother Milawa Vineyard, Meadow Creek Road MILAWA VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57205500, Fax: (03)57205511, e-mail: bbmv@brown-brothers.com.au
"Brown Brothers is situated in Milawa in the picturesque King Valley. Brown Brothers Cellar Door is operated 7 days, the ideal place to sample our large range of premium varietal wines - including limited release wines exclusive to Cellar Door. Brown Brothers Epicurean Centre, where innovative seasonal food is perfectly matched to our premium wines - open for lunch 7 days. Inquiries: (03)57205540."
Gapsted Wines, Great Alpine Road GAPSTED VIC 3737, Tel: (03)57511383, Fax: (03)57511368, e-mail: gapstedwines@netc.net.au
"Taste, Eat, Smile and Relax. Enjoy excellence in service, award winning wines , taste classic and rare varieties whilst overlooking views that encapsulate the Victorian North East Alpine Country. Gapsted Wines Cellar Door is open for tastings, light meals and sales every day from 10am to 5pm. Discover the difference"
Dal Zotto Estate Wines, Edi Road CHESHUNT VIC 3678, Tel: (03)57298321, Fax: (03)57298490, e-mail: dalzwine@iinet.com.au
"Dal Zotto Estate Wines is a family business established in 1987 when Ottorino and Elena Dal Zotto first planted vines in at Cheshunt in the picturesque King Valley, an area riddled with tradition and history. Dal Zotto wines are made to the highest possible standard. A majority of our wines have recieved medals and media success. This has allowed Dal Zotto wines to be regarded as one of the premium wineries in the King Valley. Current realease wines include Riesling, Chardonnay , Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, Barbera and Sangiovese"
Bettio Wines, 34 Simpson's Lane MOYHU VIC 3732, Tel: (03) 57 279308, Fax: (03) 57 279344, e-mail: bettiowines@bigpond.com
"Bettio Wines produce small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Current and back vintages are available, including the gold medal winning Cabernet Sauvignon. Less than 500 cases of each product are made. Cellar Door is located 6 km from Moyhu on the Glenrowan road. Tastings are by prior arrangement."
Please visit our website: www.bettiowines.com.au
Pizzini Wines, 175 King Valley Road WHITFIELD VIC 3733, Tel: (03) 57 298278, Fax: (03) 57 298495, e-mail: pizzini@bigpond.com
"Australian leaders in the production of Italian varietal wines. At Pizzini's cellar door taste estate grown and made traditional French and modern Italian wines. Pizzini offer a warm family atmosphere where you can bring friends and family to enjoy wine tasting in true Pizzini style. See website for cellar door events calendar. Cellar door open 10am - 5pm 7 days."
Please visit our website: www.pizzini.com.au
Rose Hill Estate Wines, 1400 Oxley Flats Road MILAWA 3678, Tel (03)57273930 or 0407205566. Email: jo@rosehillestatewines.com.au
" Recently taken over by Jo Hale and Kevin De Henin Rose Hill Estate is a small winery and vineyard located 200m from the Milawa cheese factory. We specialise in Sparkling merlot and table merlot, but also have white wines available. Our cellar door is open 10am to 6pm from Friday to Monday. "
Please visit our website: www.rosehillestatewines.com.au
Chrismont Wines, 251 Upper King River Road CHESHUNT VIC 3678, Tel: (03)5729 8220, Fax: (03)5729 8253, Email: info@chrismont.com.au
" Chrismont Wines is situated on a beautiful, undulating property in the heart of the King Valley. Chrismont has been producing superior wines since 1996 when the first four wines were launched under the Chrismont label. Chrismont’s wines are recognized as notable examples of varietal and regional expression. In celebration of its rich history of Italian heritage, Chrismont introduced the Chrismont LA ZONA range, the showcase for our range of Italian varietals in the King Valley. The Chrismont Cellar Door, located in Cheshunt at the upper end of the King Valley, is open 7 days, 11AM – 5PM, except Christmas and New Year’s Day. "
Please visit our website: www.chrismont.com.au
Koombahla Vineyard P/L, Whitty Lane WHITFIELD VIC, Tel: (03)5729 8396, Fax: (03)5729 8396,
" Koombahla Vineyard was the first vineyard to be located in the upper King Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted in 1970 to be followed by Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and more recently Nebbiolo. Although grapes have been sold, in 1990 small quantities of wine were made and this has continued under the label "Darling Estate Wines"."
Wine tasting and sales are available by appointment and a feature of Darling Estate Wines has been a conscious decision to only release wines with bottle age."