Shortest Lunch 2023

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Posted 2023-05-26 by Nadine Cresswell-Myatt ⇒ follow

Fri 16 Jun 2023 - Sat 17 Jun 2023

Winter is coming! From June 1. Thankfully the winter solstice follows soon after, and we begin the ascent to longer daylight hours. Here's a surefire way to stem the tide of winter blues. Imagine sitting before an open fire after a lovely meal paired with the perfect wine. That's the scenario when you attend The Shortest Lunch on the weekend of June 17 and 18.

I went a few years back and had a fine time. Most of us know the larger Yarra Valley wineries such as Domain Chandon, Rochford Wines and Yering Station. In a bid not to avoid being overshadowed, a group of smaller wineries banded together to create the Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Association. Then went on to organise this great annual event.

This event takes you to these boutique wineries; venues not only small but mostly family-run and as warm and friendly as their open fires. You'll get to chat about all things wine as you mix with others and meet multi-generational winemakers. Or simply sit and stare at the flames as they illuminate your glass of red.

As well as warding off the winter chills, this is a gastronomic adventure where you feast on curated entrée-sized menus paired with wine. A chance to graze through the Yarra Valley's tucked-away corners and learn about hidden gems!

Each winery has a menu with offerings ranging from homemade apple pies and cheese platters to classic Italian fare and American-style BBQ. Kids and those with special dietary requirements won't miss out, with most wineries catering for both. Many venues are dog friendly.

On top of the food and wine, all venues offer live music. There are over 100 wines on tasting, with some wineries offering exclusive new and vintage releases over this special weekend.

All tastings are included, and designated drivers don't require tickets. There will be glasses and bottles of wine to purchase. Not to mention, exclusive Shortest Lunch cellar-door specials are only available that weekend!

Here are the wineries and their menus.

Boat O'Craigo is named after a tiny place in a Scottish valley, where Margaret and Graham's ancestors lived. Together with their son and daughter, their labour of love has kept the wine flowing.

The floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views over the vineyards. Boat O'Craigo is famous for its antipasto platters.

They have some excellent wines, such as the Pinot Grigio, perfect for those with allergies as they do not filter it through milk or eggs. Their menu also offers vegan options.

Slow Cooked Duck & Pinot pie or Beef, Mushroom & Shiraz Pie served with Creamy Paris Mash and Roasted Baby Carrots. Made with Shiraz Grapes grown on Boat O'Craigo Estate Vineyards, House-Made Pastry and individually handcrafted to perfection.
$20

Seasonal Vegetable Lasagne with a side of Salad and Cunliffe & Waters Tomato and Capsicum Relish.
$20

Cheese boards by local artisan maker Stone and Crow
Kids meals

Dog Friendly

Billanook Estate

A small winery with seating for about 30 people. A favourite because of the stunning views and traditional Italian dishes.

James Halliday notes: 'The D'Aloisio family has been involved in the agricultural heritage of the Yarra Valley since the late 1960s, and in '94 planted the first vines on their 36ha property. The vineyard is planted to Shiraz, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot, nebbiolo, tempranillo, nebbiolo and barbera'.
Osso Bucco: Slow Cooked Beef in a Homemade Tomato Ragu served on Parmesan Polenta
$20

Gnocchi: Nonna's recipe of Soft Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi, Pan Seared and tossed with your choice of a Traditional Napoli Pomodoro Sauce with Fresh Basil or a Picante Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
(V) (GF Avail)
$18

Al Dente's Cannoli: Delicate Tubes of Golden Pastry filled with fresh Ricotta
$8

Kids Meals
Barista Coffee
Live Music
Fin

Cool place! Perched upon a hill, nestled in the foothills of the great dividing range, overlooking endless vineyards and bush-covered mountains. The mighty Highbow Hill, you can see, is the remains of an ancient volcano. While it is a tall order, they claim one of the best views of the Yarra Valley.

The cellar door is constructed of timber recycled from an 1886 wool store and offers a quaint and cosy setting. Light touch, minimal processing wine. They bottle young and fresh to preserve vibrancy and aromatics. They claim their wines "are not to be taken seriously but with joy and frivolity."

With wine names like FIN Prosecco Zinfandel Pet Nat 'Electro Nonsense', Prosecco Pet Nat 'I'm All Ears' or FIN Vermentino 'Not Too Bad' 2022 and 'Speedo Gris.' They also make Elderflower Cider
-Pinche Cantina Tacos served with Coriander and Onion:

- Beef Birria: Smoked & Slow Cooked Lakey Farm Beef with Smoked Cherry Tomato Salsa

- Vegan Chorizo with Nopales: Housemade Vegan Chorizo with Tender Cactus
$18

Dog-Friendly

Seville Estate

Seville Estate was awarded 'Winery of the Year' at the 2019 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. When Dr Peter McMahon planted the first vines at Seville Estate in 1972, it marked the rebirth of the Yarra Valley as an important wine region. Today his grandson Dylan McMahon is now the winemaker following the passion ignited generations before. Wine in some families in the Yarra Valley seems to flow in their veins.

James Halliday rated ten wines 95 points and above, including Seville Estate's signature Shiraz, pinot noir and chardonnay.

The original homestead is on-site (and available as accommodation), as well as a vegetable garden helping to supplement the sustainable ingredients used in the kitchen. The gardens have been re-landscaped to provide a tranquil space and highlight the great views.
Slow Roasted Free Range Pork Belly with Potato Mash, Caramelised Apple, Roasted Fennel and Seville Estate Nebbiolo Jus
(GF)
$20

Caramelised Onion and Beetroot Flaky Tart with Yarra Valley Dairy Cow Curd and Truffle Honey.
(Veg)
$20

Cheese Box
$18

Kids Meals
Espresso Coffee and Tea
Live Music
Steels Gate

Surrounded by national parks and views in every direction. Steels Gate wines are handcrafted with grapes from two single vineyards in the Yarra Valley. That means the vines are cared for by hand, and the grapes are carefully hand-picked at the perfect harvest time.

Like the wine, the food is handcrafted in the onsite kitchen. Where possible, the herbs and vegetables are fresh from their garden.

A relaxing vibe, a large verandah, local artwork on display, and a pantry full of local products are available for sampling and purchase.
Slow Cooked Lamb Shank with Maize Blanco, Dukkah & Jus
$20

Rotolo of Housemade Ricotta, Kale, Green Olive and Burnt Butter
(Veg)
$20

Chocolate Tartlet with Marmalade-Infused Marscapone & Hazelnut
$15

Kids Hotdog with Cheese & Sauce
$10

Live Music
Dog Friendly
Sutherland Estate

Sutherland Estate also claims one of the most spectacular vineyard sites in Australia. On high ground at the southern edge of the Great Divide, with a cathedral-ceilinged cellar door and a large outside deck. Unlike some larger wineries that commandeer main road sites, the highway seems far away. The rarer Spanish-origin Tempranillo is planted here. James Halliday has rated Sutherland Estate a red five-star winery.

Slow Cooked Lamb Ragu with Casarecce Pasta and Gremolata
$20

Eggplant Tagine with Chickpeas, Feta and Toasted Almonds
(EF, GF, V)
$18
Sticky Date Pudding with Cream
(DFA, NFA, VGA)
$14
Cheeseboards
Live Music
Dog Friendly
On the deck or in the marquee

Tokar Estate

Hot Brisket Rolls with Slaw, Tokar Mash and Gravy
$18

Smoked Mushroom and Halloumi Roll
(Veg)
$18

Carolina Style Pulled Pork Loaded Fries, Jalapeños, Cheese, Leon's BBQ Sauce and Kewpie Mayo
$16

Hot Jam Donuts
4 for $10

Mulled Wine
Live Music
Kids Meals
Dog Friendly
Whispering Hills Vineyard

A family winery operated by the Lyons family. Established in 1985, the vineyard offers cabernet sauvignon, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. A good place to chat to the owners about how the vines are sustainably grown and harvested: known for its fare from its wood-fired oven.

Roasted Parsnip Soup with Hazelnuts & Thyme Butter served with Woodfired Bread.
(Veg, GF Vegan options)
$12

Pork, Prosciutto, and Red Wine Meatballs Slow Cooked in our Woodfired oven resting on traditional Fettuccelle finished with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
$18

Steamed Vanilla Pudding with Poached Pears and Vanilla Crème Anglaise
$10

Espresso

Yering Farm

Be greeted by the ducks noisily splashing in the dam or rabbits scurrying for their burrows as you head to the rustic tasting room in a resurrected hay shed. It is a place to feel at ease.

The wines have a personality, as do the quirky wine labels in the range, including Run Rabbit Run Chardonnay, Duck Down Under Pinot and The Foxtrot Cabernet.

As fifth-generation orchardists, the experience will not be complete without trying the Farmyard Apple Syder (cider).

Yerring Farm began as an orchard, so the family's signature dish is the homemade apple pie. And you're in luck because it's on the menu.

Yering Farm's famous Homemade Hot Apple Pies:
Made from their own fresh Granny Smith Apples picked from their orchard. Served with a big dollop of Cream and Fresh Fruit. I had this last time. Amazing!

Pruners Platter of three Local Cheeses, Quince Paste, Pickles and Fresh Fruit, served with Crackers.

Live Music
Coffee van

What you need to know about tickets for The Shortest Lunch

A percentage of proceeds from this year's Shortest Lunch event will go to local community groups, with the event having raised over $97,000 shared amongst local schools and organisations like Make A Wish since its inception.

**Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries
Shortest Lunch Ticket Types**

One Day Ticket $35 pp
Includes free wine tastings at all participating wineries for 1 x day (Saturday or Sunday) and 1 x souvenir-tasting glass to keep

Weekend Ticket $50 pp
Includes free wine tastings at all participating wineries for 2 x days (Saturday and Sunday) and 1 x souvenir tasting glass to keep

Kids, Non-Drinker, and Designated Drivers Have Free Entry!

Book tickets here

Map Of Wineries
1.Billanook Estate 280 Edward Rd, Chirnside Park VIC 3116
2.Boat O'Craigo 458 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777
3.Fin Wines 119 Lorimers Ln, Dixons Creek VIC 3775
4.Seville Hill 8 Paynes Rd, Seville VIC 3139
5.Steels Gate 1974 Melba Hwy, Dixons Creek VIC 3775
6.Sutherland Estate 2010 Melba Hwy, Dixons Creek VIC 3775
7.Tokar Estate 6 Maddens Ln, Coldstream VIC 3770
8.Whispering Hills Paynes Rd, Seville VIC 3139
9.Yering Farm Winery St Huberts Rd, Yering VIC 3770