Insider sips.

Recently, Gippslandia’s Shelley Banders had the chance to chat with a coterie of our region’s classiest drink makers, including Allevare Wines, A.R.C Wines, Entropy Wines, Fleet Wines, Sailors Grave Brewing and Xavier Goodridge, who shared a few of their local favourites, some juicy insights and what’s exciting them.

Shall we drink them in?

I'm excited about a bunch of new vineyard plantings around Gippsland...
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Enjoyed lately?

Travellers Rest Hotel in Thorpdale
“A nice cold pint, best views, delicious food – most authentic English pub we've been to in West Gippsland” – Allevare

Baw Baw Syrah by Chateau Acid
“Made by newcomers to the region Simon Jones & Charlie O’Brien” – A.R.C

Sailors Grave Brewing
“Just cracked a Sailors Grave ‘Really Really Really Bitter’. Like fresh-cut grass and sunshine, I love it” – Entropy

Quincey Juice
“This non-alcoholic quince and apple cider is a firm favourite here at the brewery; you can find Steph from Quincey around at markets in East Gippsland” – Sailors

A good local?

Howler Brewing Company
“Best parma in West Gippsland! Delicious beers and absolutely genuine people” – Allevare

Messmates
“Opening in Warragul, should be a really great place for a plate of food and a glass of wine” – Entropy

The Borough Dept Store
“Our local café – incredible coffee” – Fleet

Maffco Brewery and Distillery
“They are doing great things; it’s so good to see key heritage buildings in Gippsland repurposed and brought back to life” – Sailors

Hogget Kitchen
“A negroni at Hogget” – Allevare

An anticipated release?

Bandicoot Run
“Keep an eye out for this chardonnay aged in ceramic eggs from our good friends Al and Adrianna” – A.R.C

Gurneys Cider Zero
“It’s a mix of apple cider, green tea and apple cider vinegar which is spot on for the market! Gurney’s cellar door takes in the magnificent vista of Wilsons Prom; they are innovative and creative, constantly growing and the loveliest people” – Sailors

Xavier Goodridge
“Goodridge’s site is in Maffra, where he's grafting a whole bunch of interesting things. He's one of the best winemakers I know and I'm excited to see what he's going to do out there” – Entropy

Worth the drive?

Sailors Grave Tap Shack, Orbost
“As one of the most remote producers, I would have to say us! Our Tap Shack or hopefully at the Lakes Entrance Slipway Redevelopment this summer” – Sailors

Dirty Three cellar door, Inverloch
“‘The Dirty Rizza’ is their tribute to the Mosel region in Germany and an absolute favourite of ours” – Sailors

Marlo Pub
“One-on-the-wood at the Marlo” – Xavier

Kilcunda General Store fish and chips
“Enjoyed on the beach in summer” – A.R.C

Trulli Restaurant
“Best pizza around and local beer on tap” – Entropy

An enduring favourite?

Loch Brewery & Distillery Gin
“We are absolutely obsessed” – Allevare

Lightfoot & Sons Rosé
“Always in our fridge” – Sailors

Bass Phillip Wines
“One of the older wineries in Gippsland that put pinot noir and chardonnay on the map for our region” – Entropy

Anything, it seems, by Bill Downie
“William Downie, always brilliant” – Xavier

“Bill’s pinot’s are iconic” – A.R.C

“To watch his evolution has been extraordinary” – Fleet

“Well-established legend status” – Sailors

Something less boozy?

Cannibal Creek Bakehouse
“The chai is always a favourite. Pick up some bread baked in their amazing wood oven while you are there” – Allevare

O.MY Restaurant
“The clever team have curated a non-alcohol pairing offering with their menu and we think it’s brilliant” – Fleet

Homemade elderflower cordial
“Made from elderflowers grown on our farm, mixed with sparkling water. It’s our summer go-to and daily refresher when working hard in the garden” – A.R.C

Ripplebrook Farm
“We have also been making a delicious lemon cordial with the lemons from Lesley” – Allevare

One to watch?

Fleet Wines/Ever Reve Farm
“Anything by this incredibly inspiring team” – Allevare

“The new project from Lisa and Justin Jenkins is definitely one to watch for future releases” – A.R.C

Entropy Wines
“Ryan Ponsford is one to watch – he has been building an amazing reputation very quickly and the wine goes from strength to strength” – Sailors

New plantings
“I'm excited about a bunch of new vineyard plantings around Gippsland – Pat Sullivan and Bill Downies’ new plantings in Baw Baw Shire, as well as Fleet Wines and The Wine Farm's new plantings in South Gippsland” – Entropy

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Gippslandia - Issue No. 28

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