Food Is Where The Heart Is:
Adam Pizzini is living the dream. Each morning, he climbs the stile over his back fence and ambles the short distance to the orchard and vegetable gardens that sit in the grounds of his new restaurant, Rinaldo’s of the King Valley, located at Dal Zotto Estate Wines. This morning, in-between checking how the broad beans and peas were coming along, he indulged in the pleasure of eating fresh-picked raspberries. Then, while admiring some newly formed cabbage heads, he anticipated the homemade sauerkraut he was going to make to serve with cotechino sausages this winter.

‘I’m very excited. I found a great recipe the other day and the shed where the wine is going through malolactic fermentation is kept at 25 degrees celsius, which is also perfect for making sauerkraut.’ As for mushrooms, he and wife Christina had been out picking ‘heaps’ of field mushrooms the day before. In short, the fruit and vegetables, herbs and mushrooms at Rinaldo’s don’t come any fresher – and that’s Adam’s dream.

Rinaldo’s of the King Valley is located at Dal Zotto Estate Wines Wangaratta-Whitfield Rd, Whitfield Tel: 03 5729 8000
Web: www.dalzottoestatewines.com.au

Italian Cool Climate Kings
Want some Italian flavour in your life? Then the wines from the North East and King Valley regions of Victoria are a great place to start. As the region has evolved and expanded, it is the Italian grape varieties that have stood up to be counted. And I must say that these grape growers have aided in a quiet re-birthing of this rural region.

2005 Michelini Pinot Grigio
Gorgeous pear, musk and the fragrance of a ripe apricot. Whilst the nose is quite powerful in fruit, the palate is refined allowing a nutty character to shine through. The wine finishes with a refreshing zing of acid. Cook up a steamy bowl of mussels with garlic and tomato – yum.

2004 Politini Amoroso
Amoroso is a sweetish red with the name coming from amore – sweetheart and rosso – red. You’ll find a touch of spritz on the palate, a well-balanced amount of sweetness and plenty of red fruits and cooked cherry flavours. A great way to finish the meal with either chocolate mousse or a creamy blue cheese and muscatels.

2004 Michelini Marzemino
A wine that is very un-Australian – that is, it is not loaded with alcohol and rich fruit. Instead the wine sits at 12 percent alcohol and has dry extract and savoury flavours. A terrific food wine as it won’t dominate the food, rather it will sit alongside.

Mansfield Regional Produce Store:
As one walks through the door, a sense of community friendship is evident. This barn-like rural shop blends aged country charm with 50’s and 60’s op-shop bizarre. An eclectic collection of 50’s laminex and chrome tables and chairs sit splendidly alongside old pine kitchen tables, lime green lamps and vintage childrens’ tricycles that offer colour and interest. With its colonial-era cedar panel ceiling and skylights intact, the building enjoys the rays of North East sun. A 60s marble print vinyl couch faces a huge collection of preserves, olives, oils and locally produced Rosa Tierra skincare.This Essentials writer enjoyed a baguette with pine nuts, olive tapenade, cheese and chutney, closely followed by a wicked homemade apple tart. A Beraldo espresso proved a smooth and relaxing finish. Not just a favourite meeting place with the locals, come wintertime Mansfield Regional Produce Store is a dream for the Melburnian who’s passing through.

68 High St, Mansfield, Victoria
Tues-Sun 9am-5pm
03 5779 1404

Alpine Village Belle - Bogong Alpine Village:
As you climb the mountains towards Falls Creek this year make sure you drop into this wondrous mountain tavern. Similar to an Austrian Alps ‘bierstube’ (beer room), this Bongong Village hideaway doubles as a must-visit café, with Zoi’s European espresso blend coffee FREE to all Essentials card holders. With frequent snowfall and views overlooking a European garden, this open plan building is sure to capture your imagination. The tavern showcases an historic photo collection of the village and power station dating back to the 1940s, a cosy stone fireplace, quality meals and games room for the kids. With a pool table, table tennis table, board games and videos you’re sure to please the whole family.

Bogong High Plains Rd, Bogong, Victoria
Breakfast 7am-10am Tues-Sun
Dinner Tues-Sat 6-8pm
Bar 4pm-late Tues-Sun