Episode 15: Rutherglen

The Old Post Office B&B
The Old Post Office B&B was built in 1897 and operated for over a hundred years as a post office. Located in Howlong, New South Wales, its 10 minutes by car to Rutherglens township and under four hours drive north-east of Melbourne. The guest house has been lovingly renovated by its owner Robyn Cotter and features two luxurious suites with an interconnecting lounge, a gourmet kitchen and a conservatory style dining space. Crossing back over the border into Rutherglen, Suzie takes cooking lessons at Parker Pies which has won over 100 awards at the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition.

The Old Post Office B and B
39 Hawkins St, Howlong NSW
www.theoldpostofficebedandbreakfast.com

Parker Pies
86 88 Main St, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6032 8497
www.parkerpies.com.au

The Muscat Trail
The Rutherglen Visitor centre has come up with a very clever way for you to see the best the region has to offer. The Muscat Trail is a 35 km bike tour that incorporates ten wineries over four hours with a rest break every 400m. First stop for Glen was at Pfeiffer Wines who are famous for their fortifieds and Gammay. Next stop was at St Leonards nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray and the perfect place to sit by the river and have a tasting of their dry orange Muscat. The last stop of the day was at Campbells which has been around since the 1800s and is well-known for their Bobby Burns Shiraz and Barklays Durif.

For more information visit www.rutherglenvic.com

Koendidda Country House
Set on four hectares Koendidda Country House is a historic homestead offering elegance of a bygone era. Aboriginal for parting of the clouds this gorgeous mansion was built in the late 1850s by English immigrant Humphrey Pooley.

Koendidda is furnished with the finest antiques and period furniture money can buy. The five ensuite rooms all having large comfy beds and there is also two sitting rooms and two dinning rooms. Owner Sharons serves dishes that capture the best flavours of north east Victoria in this most elegant dinning atmosphere. With such delectable food and wine, luxurious accommodation and stately surrounds its easy to strike gold in this much loved bed and breakfast.

Koendidda
Pooleys Rd, Barnawartha
Ph: 02 6026 7340
www.koendidda.com.au

Bank on Main B & B
Bank on Main, as the name suggests, was the towns Bank since the 1900. Since closing its commercial doors it has reopened as a luxury bed and breakfast. The banking chamber with 14ft ceilings, polished floor and log fire is now the guest lounge and dining room.

Break out of the original walk in vault and climb the magnificent banister staircase to one of the two large guest bedrooms with king size beds and en-suite spa bathroom. If all the talk of money starts to get to your head and your feeling like a bit of a high roller then why not book yourself in for a Rolls Royce gourmet tour. The first stop for Brodie was at The Wicked Virgin which has over 2000 Olive trees sweeping down the hill. The tour was packed with flavour so it was time to check out the local hotspot including The Pickled Sisters Café.

Bank on Main
80 Main Street, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6032 7000

Rutherglen Limousines
Ph: 02 6032 7317
www.rutherglenlimousines.com.au

The Wicked Virgin
Layback Manor
Hopetoun Rd, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6032 7022
www.thewickedvirgin.com

The Pickled Sisters Café
Situated at Cofield Wines
Distillery Rd, Wahgunya
Ph: 02 6033 2377
www.pickledsisters.com.au

All Saints - Young Bloods
All Saints Estate would have to be the most impressive vineyard in Rutherglen with its big castle and tree lined driveway leading to a massive red brick winery. You can go there to enjoy the cheese provedore and some of the regions finest sparkling and fortified wines. These days the Queen of the Castle is Eliza Brown and her younger brother Nick is heir to the throne. They are part of a group called Youngbloods who are the sons and daughters of Rutherglens legendary winemakers. All Saints Estate is a great place to relax, theres a cellar door for tasting and stocking up, the Terrace Restaurant for lunch and dinner and a hectare of garden for lazing about.

All Saints Estate
All Saints Road, Rutherglen
Ph: 02 6035 2222
www.allsaintswine.com.au

What's On

Good Food and Wine Show
For all things delicious check out next weekends Good Food and Wine Show on at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Where: Melbourne Exhibition Center
When: 1-3 June
More: Ticketmaster 13 61 00 or visit www.goodfoodshow.com.au

Winter Wine Weekend
Start planning the Queens Birthday long weekend and head to the Mornington Peninsula to enjoy great wine, tasty food and live music at the Winter Wine Festival.
Where: Red Hill Showgrounds
When: 7 June
More: Ph 03 5989 2377 or visit www.mpva.com.au

Woodend Winter Arts Festival
Check out the Woodend Winter Arts Festival, a celebration of music, literature and the visual arts which also features jazz legend James Morrison and actor Max Gillies.
Where: Woodend
When: 6-9 June
More: Visit www.woodendwinterfestival.org.au