Blog the Yarra Valley

When was the last time you went out dancing to live music?   Both are so good for the soul – and you come home exhausted, happy and exhilarated – but there aren’t that many places offering the combination these days.

On most Friday and Saturday nights, I’ve discovered just where you can go dancing with your friends, and it’s all thanks to Puffing Billy!

Meet at Belgrave and take your tables in the beautifully restored ‘Mount Lyell’ first class dining carriages.  Your entrée will be served as the steam train wends its way to Emerald, taking you to your dancing venue for the night – the beautifully restored hundred year old Nobelius Packing Shed – so named after Swedish nurseryman Carl Axel Nobelius.

After you’ve enjoyed a wonderful selection of dishes from the buffet, the entertainment begins and before you know it you’ve shrugged off your inhibitions and you’re on the dance floor.  Shimmy the night away until the whistle blows, signalling it’s time for you to dance your way back onto the train, for the return journey to Belgrave, enjoying a complimentary glass of port after your coffee, with chocolates along the way.

It would make a great night out with a group of friends or colleagues, or to celebrate a special occasion, or simply because you haven’t been dancing for a while.  And if you’re quick, there might still be tickets available for 25 February, so check your diaries and get your friends on board!  Your ticket includes all your food, return train journey and live entertainment and you may purchase drinks onboard and at the Packing Shed.  To find out available dates and more information, jump on to Puffing Billy’s website.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

When you come up to the Yarra Valley for a few days, you really do leave the city and your worries behind you.  Waking to country views and native animals, with the smell of fresh bread and coffee, and a day of imbibing ahead of you: delicious Yarra Valley cheese, wine, beer and cider, not to mention the fabulous local produce – it is arguably the best way to start any day.

And if that’s what you want from a weekend away, then you’re going to want to take up this offer that Yering Gorge Cottages have put together.   They’ve come up with an incredibly generous package for those of us who love food and wine.

Picture yourself enjoying this: in addition to your 2 nights accommodation at a picturesque Yering Gorge cottage, you’ll be given a voucher for $100 to spend at a stunning Yarra Valley restaurant or winery like Rochford Winery, Eleonore’s at Chateau Yering or Stones of the Yarra Valley.  You’ll also get to enjoy a $20 Wine & Cheese Experience voucher at “De Bortoli’s” cellar door where they have a cheese maturation room.  And if that hasn’t sated your hunger, you’ll also be given a Gateway Estate Gourmet Picnic Voucher to get yourself some more goodies.

The package is aptly named the Luxury Food and Wine Getaway and comes with a continental breakfast daily with fresh bread and your newspaper, a bottle of complimentary YV wine and gourmet chocolates.

All of this costs just $399 per person. But the offer is only available to the first 100 callers.  So for full details, call Yering Gorge today on 9739 0110.  Bookings must be made by phone before 31st March 2012.

And my last top tip – if you stay between Sunday to Thursday, you get to stay for a 3rd night FREE!

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

My favourite Yarra Valley cottages have an incredible offer for February…

It was after one particularly fantastic weekend at Maroondah Cottage at  Yering Gorge Cottages that I decided to move to the Yarra Valley.  It was a winning combination that seduced me; the beautifully appointed, light-filled cottage with cathedral ceilings, views that went on forever, and kangaroos on the lawn in the morning mist.  When it came time to leave on the Sunday, I dragged myself miserably back to my tiny city apartment and with great determination wrote my resignation letter to my boss, and instructed the local real estate agent to sell my apartment.  Three months later I was living here in the valley.  Best decision I ever made and I have Ross Stevens and his beautiful aspirational cottages at Yering Gorge to thank.

So these cottages come with a warning; all it takes is one stay at Yering Gorge and you too will want to move to the Yarra Valley!

And for the month of February, they have the most amazing deal on offer: book 2 nights accommodation (before 15^th February) and get the next 2 nights FREE.

So, come and see for yourself; stay in style at Yering Gorge Cottages during the month of February, half price.  This truly is a special offer and not one to be missed.  Call today on (03) 9739 0110 or email Ross.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think Valentine’s Day should be about buying ‘romantic’ (ie over-priced) bunches of roses and dinner for two.  Surely it’s about making an effort, and going out of your way to think of something your beloved would really appreciate and perhaps come up with something a little out of the ordinary?  If you agree, read on…

Here’s what you do…both you and your partner take the day off on Tuesday 14 February, dress in suitable outdoor gear and drive to Belgrave.   So far, so good?

On arrival in Belgrave look for signs to Trees Adventure!  Park the car, and walk down through the beautiful historic grounds of Glen Harrow Gardens to be briefed and fitted with your safety harness.  You’re about to spend two hours challenging yourself on Victoria’s first tree-top obstacle course!  Guaranteed to spice up any Valentine’s Day, two hours of swinging through the trees will certainly make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.  And here’s the best part; the guys at Trees Adventure are offering a fantastic deal – just pay for you and your partner goes free.

And they’ve made it so easy for you.  Jump onto their website, to read up all about the courses, then click this link to book and add this code when you get to the end of the booking process: stval1

Here’s your waiver form – I’d download it and fill it out now, saves time when you get there.   Have fun and Happy Valentine’s Day.  Message us on facebook if you are one of the Valentine’s Couples at Trees Adventure, and send us some pics.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

“…shovelling white steam over her shoulder”

For anyone who loves wine: tasting it, learning about it and being poured a glass of the fine stuff – read on, you’re in for a real treat on 10^th February.  For those of you who adore steam trains: the gorgeous sound of the steam whistle blowing, the majesty of the old locomotives of yesteryear, –10^th February is a must for you too.

Because…a very special night is planned for 10^th February, when Puffing Billy teams up with TarraWarra Estate, one of the Yarra Valley’s premium wineries, to run a special Steam & Cuisine Wine Train with Simon Napthine, General Manager of TarraWarra.  As you arrive on the platform, and marvel at the size and magnificence of the train, Simon will pour you a TarraWarra Estate wine and talk you through the wines he’ll be serving you that night.  And that’s before you even board the train!  After you’ve enjoyed your first tasting on the platform, it’s “All aboard” for a 7.30pm departure.

As dusk falls, the steam train wends its way through the stunning green ferns of the Dandenongs, and the wine tastings continue as your entrée and main are served.  You’ll have pre ordered from their menu, so sit back and enjoy the scenery, the company and every new wine matched to each dish.  The steam train climbs through the Dandenongs until it reaches Lakeside, where it takes on water and you get to stretch your legs before starting the homeward journey.  What a great and unique way to spend an evening with friends or to celebrate a special occasion.

Treat your loved one or grab your friends and put a group together.  And if you are a group of 20, you can even book your own carriage!  But hurry, it’s only a couple of weeks away, so call them today to ensure you book your place 9757 0700 or check out their website

P.S.  As a heads up – if you can’t make 10 Feb, book the Wine Train on 9 March with Allan Nalder from Helen’s Hill Estate.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

Picture yourself… it’s a Friday night and you’ve left work to start your week-end, and you’re unwinding, sitting out on a rug on the rolling lawns at de Bortoli’s winery in Dixons Creek in the stunning Yarra Valley.  You’re kicking back, enjoying a lovely long gentle summer’s evening with a group of friends, laughing and joking, drinking in the impressive views and watching the sun sink as you sip on a glass of their award winning wine and mull over the platter menu.  “Oh let’s get one of each – a cheese platter and antipasto and all share?”  Not a bad way to finish the week is it?  And you can do this every Friday and Saturday night for the months of January and February at de Bortoli and seven other leading Yarra Valley wineries, who are part of the Twilight Cellar Door, and are opening their cellar doors til 8pm.

If you’re really organised you might be able to get to two of the participating wineries in the same evening.  Check out where they’re situated on the map, they seem to be located in pairs helpfully near one another.  But then that’s the beauty of the Yarra Valley, nothing is far away, once you’re here.  And if you’re lucky enough to be staying locally, or live here, what’s the hurry, if tonight’s Friday, why not save the next winery til tomorrow night!  If you don’t want to drive, give Yarra Valley Transfers a call on 1800 146 706, they will pick you up, take you to your winery and collect you later.  Simple.

De Bortoli and Mandala are within a stone’s throw of one another in the gorgeous hills of Dixons Creek and both are participating in the Twilight Cellar Door.

They are two of my favourite wineries with many similarities, as well as being distinctly different.  They’re both family owned and managed, both serve great European cheeses, both took home medals for their Pinot from the 2011 Royal Melbourne Show and have chef’s who’ve made a name for themselves growing and managing their own produce meticulously and carefully select and source all their local ingredients.

So, I think that’s your diaries sorted for Fridays and Saturdays til the end of February!  See you there.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

Happy New Year everyone.

It’s a bit of an adjustment isn’t it, coming back to work after that break?  What did you get up to?  Did you get up here to the Yarra Valley?

I spent much of my break here with my sister who was over from England.  It was her 7^th visit (I did mention it’d be cheaper for her to perhaps move here) and at the end of the holiday she announced that the highlight of her trip this time was going on Puffing Billy Steam Cuisine.

Now it’s a given that Puffing Billy will always be a favourite with kids, but they have truly created an offering aimed at us older, foodie types.  The Steam Cuisine Luncheon Train is a bit special; we were dining in a beautifully restored old steam train carriage, complete with authentic décor, white linen table cloths and antique silver cruet.  We’d pre-selected our three courses and loved knowing we were enjoying locally grown produce served aptly with Yarra Valley wines.  It hit the spot for my sister; a tourist in her mid 40’s, she’s got to be their ideal target.  When she wasn’t eating and imbibing she spent most of her time standing out at the end of the carriage on the foot plate, catching bits of soot in her hair, watching the tree ferns rush past and would lean out as the train turned so she could watch the rest of the carriages puffing along behind us over the old trestle bridge.  Magic.

We stayed at Dalblair B&B in Seville, so that I could have a holiday too, (I know I know, quite funny as I live down the road), and owner Fiona Johnston couldn’t have looked after us better.  We had fresh eggs in the mornings from her bantams, picked our own lemons from her trees for our gin & tonics in the evenings, and basically forced ourselves to laze for four days by the incredible salt-water solar heated infinity pool until my sister finally changed colour – essential for a British tourist to go home to an English winter with a tan/burn.

The B&B is situated on the top of a ridge and commands impressive views across the ranges.  Every morning we went for a wander down Ducks Lane and could even walk to nearby wineries from there.  You’re totally spoilt in Seville with such a selection of fine wineries so close together, growing grapes in that incredible rich red earth they have.  We did a tasting at Seville Estate (btw check out their bathrooms – owner Margaret Van Der Meulen has won awards for her bathrooms in a previous life and it shows) and I was desperate to try their San Choi Bau but we had, I was reminded, already had lunch!  I’ll have to return soon to get my fix.

On our way home we popped in to Whispering Hills and were just a wee bit taken with their 2010 Barbera and Blanc de Blanc.  So, without any pressing reasons to rush home, we sat out in the sun alongside their vines and sipped the afternoon away.  Reassured that they are part of the series of wineries participating in Twilight Cellar Door (opening on Fri/Sat til dusk in Jan/Feb) I left happy, knowing I’d be returning shortly.  Then, with a boot full of quaffable purchases, we wended our way back to our salt-water infinity pool with its view to die for.  It’s been pretty tough all round I think you’ll agree, it’s such a relief it’s all over and I’m safely back at work!

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

Desperate for ideas for what to do during school holidays?  Lake Mountain may just have the answer…and it won’t even break the bank.

With the mayhem of Christmas approaching and the daunting prospect of a month of school holidays then on the horizon, it’s an exhausting time of year for parents.  It’s hard having small people around all the time, asking, “What shall I do, I’m bored?”  It can also get really expensive.

Up at Lake Mountain there will be plenty to do in January, that won’t cost you a cent.  (And if it’s a hot day, it’s a really good idea to head up the mountain as it’s always cooler up there than in the city or the valley.)  The staff at Lake Mountain know that kids want new places to explore and parents need their kids to be occupied. So, on the week-ends in January, there will be live music and face painting, frisbee golf and all the walking/biking trails for you to enjoy (and you can bring your own mountain bike) – all free of charge. Bring your own picnic and find yourself a stunning spot to set up, surrounded by nature with staggering views.  And after lunch, the best bit – everyone can go off and do their own activities – while the grown-ups get some shut eye!

During the week, Lake Mountain are putting together a fun packed School Holiday programme this summer too, full of organised activities to keep all ages amused.  Each week there will be a new activity – a rock climbing wall, sumo wrestling suits, mini golf or a super slide.  The organised activities are included in the cost of a day pass, which also buys you the flying fox, dune buggies and laser skirmish.  To get a 15% discount, book online from their website.  If you’re staying in the area, many Marysville accommodation providers are offering 25% discount on the day pass ticket price.

And being on a mountain, there are endless tracks to explore on foot and by bike.  It’s also free to have a round of frisbee golf as you’re walking the tracks.  (Just mind the other walkers as you’re “teeing off”!) The walks have great interactive signs so you can learn about Lake Mountain’s unique climate and environment. There’s one particular walk I love, called The Green Again walk, which is a 5km loop from the Village.  It highlights the various forms of regeneration occurring since the 2009 fires and explains how some species need a fire to regenerate.

So there you have it – plenty of affordable fun days out on the mountain this summer.  And if you go before end of December, you get the Early Bird Discount, with 25% off the Day Pass.  For more info click here

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

It’s all happening at Rayners Stonefruit Orchards.

They are about to package up their first ‘pate de fruit’ – it’s a fabulous fruit jelly paste which goes perfectly with some cheese and crackers.

Their hand-made fruit chocolates are ready too (made from their own grown fruit of course).  This product has taken them 2 years to perfect and goes on sale for the first time THIS WEEK END in the Peach Cafe at the orchards.

And the yabbies are biting again in the top dams!  They’ve come late this year and the fruit came early!  What is Mother Nature up to?

White flesh donut nectarines are being picked as you read this.  They are the flattest sweetest nectarines on the planet and some even have the hole in the middle – so really look the part!

And the wheels on the new tractor are now quite muddy.  Len has been putting it through its paces on all the Tractor Tasting Tours he’s been doing.

So, come and visit the orchards, stock up on some fresh fruit, enjoy a Tractor Tasting Tour, grab some choccies, and don’t forget to get some delicious fruit pastes to go with cheese this Christmas.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords

When I arrived at Cherryhill Orchards at the week-end, a steady stream of cars were already arriving (eager u-pick cherry pickers), and a helicopter was just leaving!  I naturally assumed a famous person had flown in, in their chopper to pick cherries!

As I was sampling some of the gorgeous cherry ice cream they sell at ‘the shack’, (I can’t recommend it highly enough, it’s really creamy) the girls working there explained that the helicopter had been “blowing the water off the cherries”.  I smiled, uncertain if I was being wound up (it happens to me a lot).  But it turns out it’s true.  When it rains heavily, if the rain sits on the cherries, it can split them, so the orchard do a tree skimmingly low flypast in a copter, to “blow the water off the fruit”.  Quite cool to see.

Sorry, back to the cherries – I bought some to take to a BBQ that night – they make a lovely Xmas gift when you’re asked to ‘bring something’.  And a bowl of fresh cherries on the table adds a colourful, healthy option to dip into over the festive period.

Cherryhill have taken all the hard work out of it – for those of us who are running out of time – they have boxes of ripe cherries, just picked, and kept expertly chilled since picking – ready for you to buy at ‘the shack’.  Or if you’ve time, turn up, grab a bucket at the shack and have fun wandering up and down the rows, picking (and eating) your own.  They’re open right up til 3pm on Xmas Eve, closed Xmas Day and then open again as of 9am on Boxing Day.  So, make it a Cherry Christmas everyone.

www.experienceyarravalley.com.au

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Helen Collier is a local writer in the Yarra Valley with her own business JustWords