Foodtourist

This nicely-curated collection of provisions is one the first treasures we found at @little_oak_cygnet, which now belongs in the small collection of places we have stayed at in Australia where food tourists are truly catered for. The garden is prolific, even as summer wanes, and exploring it is big part of the adventure. Don’t make the mistake we did and take too many provisions - you won’t need them and the charming nearby Cygnet Larder is very good for topping up. Plus there’s @poolishandco, one of Tasmania’s best bakeries, Heartfelt, a whole foods store with organic ingredients, and also butchers. Cygnet is probably the best small town in Tasmania for food shopping and there’s much more to discover not too far away. If you plan things properly and allow plenty of time to stay at home (that might be hard to organise but not hard to do) there’s a wood-fired pizza oven and Chilean BBQ where you can really go to town but the kitchen inside is really well equipped too, even to the extent of a Kitchenaid. It was such a treat to be invited to stay. thank you @little_oak_cygnet! When our friend @analiesegregory’s much anticipated tiny restaurant opens in the Huon Valley later this year we can’t think of a more empathetic place to be based. #guest

Hello Sydney trade customers. Finally, for the first time since early March 2020, we are doing a trade tasting in Sydney … and with lots of friends … @vinomito @giorgiodemaria_fun_wines @lofiwines @godot_wines @forba_an and @blackmarketsake! We can’t wait to see you again. Special thanks to @paskivineriapopolare for hosting us!

Just a hint right inside the door that you’re not in your average Australian country wineshop - @alice.feiring for sale beside the front counter (we didn’t resist the temptation). @winespeake in Daylesford is truly one of Australia’s great wine shops with many treasures on the shelves, including some of our wines, and who knows what in the cellar waiting for the right moment to be released. People talk about whether a restaurant is worth a journey .. and it applies here as well. A wineshop worth a journey.

Behind this unassuming but named curtain, destined to become one of Melbourne’s most photographed, is @brico.melbourne, the child of Josh, Robby, Tegan and Phil. They bring a very special combination to their first business venture. The years of experience honing their skills in excellent venues is invaluable. But their expertise is enveloped in something which is going to ensure this becomes one of Melbourne’s most loved venues. They are the nicest, most generous-spirited people in the business. They must have been exhausted but on their opening night a few weeks ago it was well and truly hidden as their lucky customers soaked up all the happiness. Convincing @ballschmidt to join them in the kitchen was a masterstroke as well. We can imagine their elation when he agreed. We’re sure he’s interpreted the brief perfectly - what’s on the plates is truly a perfect match with the people, the spaces and the wine. It’s a place we are confident the owners would love to go to on their night off … but maybe at the moment they just want to sleep! Things we ate included: zucchinis, curd, and lovage panisse with parmesan and lemon mussels escabeche with toast and aioli pippies, butter beans, jamon and sherry grilled ox tongue with @feldsfarm potatoes and horseradish Olive oil cake with rhubarb and strawberry fool A glorious opening night! No doubt much if not all is different now but it will taste just as delicious.

Looks like we need to learn our trade tasting etiquette again - it’s been a while since we did a trade tasting away from home base. Very excited to be with this lovely group of people on 31 January at Embla. We will bring some refreshing new Julien Fremont cider among other things. Thanks for having us @embla_melbourne and @campbellburtonwines for organising! And please don’t let us down @qantas

Save the date for a trade tasting - 31 October! Celebrating spring with some new Spring-friendly wines at @lucindawinebar with @vivantselections and @giorgiodemaria_fun_wines. With Liz and Giorgio in town it’s guaranteed to be a fun afternoon. Thanks @kobi_ruz for having us!