Overview
The first phase of Gippsland's new destination winery spot will be unveiled this Friday, March 31, encompassing a restaurant with a focus on seasonality, newly renovated accommodation and a cellar door. The Carrajung Estate team have taken over as custodians of Tom's Cap winery, which will reopen this week with a makeover across its hefty 40 hectares of land.
Carrajung Estate's ambitious Modern Australian restaurant is helmed by head chef Patrick Haney (Opera Bar, The Growers) and boasts a menu fuelled by locally-grown ingredients. Contemporary dishes are driven by sustainable and ethical sourcing practices, including seasonal heirloom vegetables, pasture-raised meat and Gippsland cheeses.
"With an emphasis on seasonality and sustainability, our dishes feature fresh ingredients sourced directly from nearby farms that celebrate the natural beauty and culinary richness of Gippsland. Through our food, we want to share these growers' stories," co-founder Ivy Huang says.
Entrees run to the likes of garlic bay bugs with black butter and king prawns with lime and chilli jam, while larger plates include a duck breast with twice-baked parsnip, blackberries and jus. Ricotta gnocchi comes laden with snow peas, goat's cheese and tendrils, while a beef short rib served with crispy onions and celeriac croquette is set to be a favourite among guests.
Gippsland cheeses, blackberry tart taten and a pear cake with saffron mousse rounds out the current menu. Carrajung Estate's first-ever wine release will also coincide with the restaurant opening, with wine tasting at the onsite cellar door open for guests to peruse the winery's selection of shiraz, chardonnay, sauv blanc and more.
Venture further and you'll find the first of five onsite accommodation offerings, dubbed The Nest. A luxuriously appointed interior includes an outdoor bath, a traditional wood fireplace and a comprehensive kitchen. All five cabins are expected to be completed by the summer of 2023/2024.
Carrajung Estate's restaurant and cellar door will open on Friday, March 31 at 322 Lays Road, Willung South, Victoria. The restaurant is open for lunch Friday–Sunday, 11am-2.30pm and dinner Thursday–Sunday 11am-3pm. The cellar door is open by appointment via the website. The Nest will be open for bookings via the Carrrajung Estate website from April 7.