It’s something I’d only imagine I’d do….. hop on a bicycle, and pedal around a gourmet town. Hopping on and off whilst sampling the deliciousness each producer had to offer.

So when I was actually offered to do this, there was no hesitation to say yes.

The destination; Milawa.

3 hours north of Melbourne, well known for the Milawa Cheese Factory, Brown Brothers Winery, and surrounding gourmet regions: Beechworth and the King Valley.

We stayed at the postcard gorgeous Lindenwarrah estate. With our room overlooking the Merlot vineyard, on the other side over looking more vineyards and providing the most amazing place to watch the sunset after a hard day of tasting gourmet food.

With two generous sitting rooms upstairs and downstairs, you can pluck a book from the many bookshelves, or sprawl out with a board game, sip wine and nibble food; all whilst taking in the gorgeous surrounds. I’d have to say, it’s all very relaxing, and I could easily move in and be quite content.

After checking in and exploring the grounds, we headed out on our bicycles with a map, water bottle and sense of adventure.

First stop is just down the road at Milawa Mustards. With a vast array of mustards, including bourbon mustard, there is something for everyone. We picked up some lovely jellies and jams as well here.

Then it was practically a few cycles next door to The Olive Shop. Not only catering to all your olive and olive oil needs, but there is also a small art gallery showcasing some local talent.

Luckily for Mum, cycling around the area was all flat, no hills involved! We cycled about a kilometre down the road to the famous Milawa Cheese Factory for tastings and lunch. We sampled and sampled and then had some lunch. With some cheese in tow we dropped it off in our hotel fridge and proceeded to explore some more.

It was off to Walkabout Apiaries for a honey education. We picked up some great creamed honey and chestnut honey for later consumption. They are called Walkabout as they take their bees to different locations to get the different varieties of flavours. Very interesting stuff!

You can’t drive around and not see the gorgeous looking Sam Miranda winery. We pulled in and it was just a lovely setting. We ended up having an ice coffee and a hot chocolate. The best thing about the hot chocolate was you stirred in the house made chocolate mousse into the warm milk. I ended up eating half the mousse on its own as it was just so damn good!

After our exploring we headed back to Lindenwarrah to watch the sun set and take a rest before dinner.

We headed downstairs to the hotel restaurant, Merlot for a feed. We decided to go all out, to show you the variety of food on offer of course 😉

Starters

Japanese style fried chicken with pickled ginger aioli

Mini Thai fishcakes with Lindenwarrah sweet chilli sauce

Entrees

Marinated kangaroo fillet with sweet potato shards and juniper berry glaze

Twice baked Milawa blue cheese soufflé with pea puree and crushed walnut dust

Mains

Eye fillet of beef served on baked leek and potatoes finished with poivrade sauce

Lamb medallions encrusted with Milawa rosemary mustard on a sweet potato puree and sautéed brocolini, finished with pan jus

Desserts

Lindt Ecuador chocolate panna cotta with cinnamon and saffron estate grown orange segments and a brandy syrup drizzle

Steamed desert lime pudding served with finger lime curd and Gundowring coconut ice cream

The food was delicious, and with all ingredients sourced from within a 20km radius of the restaurant, it’s all so fresh and you can really get a taste of the region in one place.

After rolling ourselves back upstairs, to retire for the evening the bed was soooooo comfy, and I was nice and toasty with the electric blanket.

We awoke with sunlight and an amazing view of the vineyard….. if I could bottle that or do it every day, I would be a happy person. Alas, the stomach was crying out for breakfast! A great selection on the buffet, and a lovely view of the vineyard…. Hello are we in heaven?

Lindenwarrah is right next to the well-known Brown Brothers winery, so we couldn’t leave without paying a visit. Wine tasting at about 10am isn’t a problem is it? Surely not 😛 It’s a gorgeous winery, with restaurant on site should you feel a bit peckish.

With some wine, cheese, mustard, olive oil, honey and other bits and bobs, we headed home, visiting a few more stops along the way. If we would have had more time we would have gone a little bit further up to Beechworth. Alas, there is always next time.

For more information on Pedal to Produce, you can contact the team at Lindenwarrah:

Lindenwarrah Country House Hotel and Merlot Restaurant
Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5720 5777
www.lindenwarrah.com.au
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Milawa Mustards
“Old Emu Inn” Bright Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5727 3202
www.milawamustards.com.au
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The Olive Shop
1605 Glenrowan-Myrtleford Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5727 3887
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Milawa Cheese Shop
17 Milawa Bobinawarrah Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5727 3589
www.milawacheese.com.au
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Walkabout Apiaries
1531 Glenrowan-Myrtleford Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5727 3468
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Sam Miranda Winery
1019 Snow Rd
Oxley VIC 3678
1800 994 750
www.sammiranda.com.au
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Brown Brothers Winery
239 Milawa Bobinawarrah Rd
Milawa VIC 3678
(03) 5720 5500
www.brownbrothers.com.au
Iron Chef Shellie experienced Pedal to Produce thanks to the Lancemore Group and Q Strategies.