Wine & Dine
- Sep 7, 2016
- 7 min read
Location:
Margaret River, WA, Australia
If there was one thing we really wanted to see while we were in WA, ‘Margaret River’ was definitely up there. We heard so many great things about it. With not visiting any of the wonderful wine regions across Australia, even though I was promised a ‘Hunter Valley’ tour, it was simply a must. The three hour drive down with myself, Jason, and the wonderful Jean was most enjoyable. With a laugh or two or maybe three or four, we were like three little kids, excited for our little holiday!
When we arrived at ‘Riverview Tourist Park,’ Jean, who reserved a room for all of us asked if there were any other rooms other than a queen and bunks. She wasn’t too impressed with having to sleep in a bunk bed! The lady at reception who was very friendly, quickly offered to upgrade us at no extra cost to a queen and a single. What worked in Jean’s favour was that this new room was not ready, which meant, we got a further upgrade, this time, a double and a queen. Let’s just say, there was a very happy woman in the room! On the way down, Jean tried to get a small carton of milk but the place we stopped at only had large cartons as opposed to do small ones, after all, we only needed a little bit for a nice cup of tea! During our check in, the lady asked us if we wanted a small carton. Of course, Jean rushed over as quickly as she could to pick one. Not only did we get a free room upgrade and free milk, we also got a free bottle of white wine. We are only here five minutes and I already love the place. After check in, we walked up to our new cabin, ‘Number Thirty’ which was probably the biggest one there with its very own drive way. The place was spacious and looked as if it had only just been done up. It was extremely relaxing and comfortable!
After settling in, we drove into the town to meet Jean’s English friend, Madeline who lives in the area. We all had a coffee and a chat together. After our coffee, we drove down to Madeline’s new house which herself and her husband Roger only moved into the week before. We were warned that as a result of this, the house was in a mess with boxes everywhere. When we arrived, the house was immaculate! You would never think they just moved in. As for their two black pugs, they were gorgeous. I never really saw the appeal of pugs before, but these ones have me wanting to get one myself.
The following day, Roger met us at ours and we all had a nice breakfast with bacon and poached eggs, compliments from our personal chef, Jean. After our morning fuel sorry, meal, Roger took us on a stroll down to the ‘Margaret River,’ at the back of the resort. It is such a beautiful part of the world. I would be happy spending a bit of time here, but there is no time for all that messing. Roger was very good to us. He brought us to a couple of places which he thought we might like. From a gorgeous beach where a bronze statue of a woman holding a massive fish looking out to sea while sitting on a rock, to some breweries were we got to sample the region’s best craft beers. As usual, I was able to take some nice pictures with plenty of inspiration all around me. Later on that evening, myself, Jason, Jean, Madeline and Roger enjoyed a lovely Thai banquet. I have to admit; the food was of a high standard. More importantly, there was plenty of it.
Myself and Jason were determined to get up early so we could go on a nice trek together. We may not have gotten up as early as I planned, but we still got up nice and early. For once, we were actually up before Jean. The two of us ventured into the forest where we enjoyed pure tranquillity, surrounded by Mother Nature at her best. The simple things! What more could we ask for! After a nice stroll, we headed back up to the cabin where we got our things ready and had some breakfast.
After we checked out, we got in the car, for a little adventure. As recommended by Roger, our first stop was to a coffee and chocolate place where they specialised in each of these sinful products. There chocolate was amazing and it came in different strengths as well as flavours. My eyes lit up when they saw dark chocolate and raspberry! A happy bunny was I! After a nice look around, a hot chocolate in a place where they make their own chocolate wasn’t something we could refuse. And with a chocolate covered spoon and some marshmallows, we definitely couldn’t resist!
With Margaret River famous for its wine produce, we couldn’t go home without visiting at least one winery. Let’s just say, our first impression of a Margaret River winery was not that great. The lady looking after us at ‘Evans & Tate,’ was not the friendliest of people we have ever met. When Jean asked how much it was to sample a few glasses of their finest, the lady misunderstood and thought she meant how much was a bottle of wine. Jean, a bit horrified over the price stated that she was ok. The lady then recognised what had happened and then cuttingly informed us that it was free. Due to her attitude, we were quickly put off by the place. Did it put us off having a few ‘Free’ samples of their many award winning wines? Listen, we’re Irish! The lady may have been a wine snob, but she poured a sample of red wine into a glass that was used for white wine without rinsing, or changing it. How mortifying for her!
Luckily we had a complete opposite experience at ‘Amelia Park.’ It made the last place look amateurish. To enter, you walk up to these massive wooden doors and as you go in, you are greeted by a long windowless corridor with wooden barrels on each side as you move up to the top of the corridor, two wooden doors automatically open up to the main reception area that consists of a counter in front of the most beautiful view of the winery with the mountains in the background. The main public area was extremely modern and very stylish. I really liked how they made the spectacular view a main feature. The lady that looked after us was extremely friendly and helpful. She was so much more down to earth. I think she enjoyed having a laugh with us crazy Irish! I wouldn’t say many of their visitors would be as friendly as us. Wine people for you!
After some wine, it was time for more chocolate and bit of, TLC. All that wine drinking, it gets a tad bit exhausting, I mean having to keep on lifting up that heavy glass all day! Simply exhausting! The first place we went into was very posh. It reminds me a bit of Avoca from back home. All of us took full advantage of the samples of sauces and jams. The balsamic vinegar I tried was divine! I wanted to take it home with me. At over AU$32, I got a ‘Hell No’ from Jason! I should have sneaked one into the car and pretended it was on offer! Jason who couldn’t care less what other people think, had a great time trying all the creams and face scrubs. What a mad yolk! There is only one of him, and he is all mine, so get your filthy mitts of him, or else!
With all this free wine, we were all in desperate need of some fine food. Wondering where was nice to eat, the woman in the last winery highly recommended a nice restaurant for us. Oh my God, how right she was! The food was incredible! It was so good! It consisted of small tapas which we shared with each other. As our food was delayed, the chef sent out extra dishes to us as way of an apology. While the food was extremely posh, we were starting to believe we were to! I mean, between all the fancy glasses of wine and the amazing food, one would be forgiven for thinking that we were. I really wanted to try the sampling menu on offer. I reckon it would have been amazing. Mind you, we were all very satisfied with our bread and truffle spread, goats cheese and honey dish to name but a few. My mouth waters as I think about that place. Probably one of the nicest places we have eaten out at in Australia!
On the way back, we stopped off at ‘House of Cards,’ a small independent winery as Jean wanted to pick up a few bottles of her daughter Sarah’s favourite wine for her birthday. Of course, when we were offered to sample more wine, Jason’s eyes lit up! Oh Jason! After our short detour, we were in the car and homeward bound with the odd laugh mixed in for good luck.
I would have liked to have stayed a third night, but Jason didn’t see any point in that as the area is filled with winery’s and bush walks that are all the same, as he informed us. How wrong he was! There is so much to do and see! It is such a beautiful part of the world. I would be happy to set up home here, if it were closer to Ireland! On our list of things to do in Australia was visiting a wine region, and I think this one ticked all the boxes! Hopefully one day, we will get to visit it again and spend a bit more time here with our good friend Jean!
By Andrew
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