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Luxury Australian Itinerary – Wine Flight – Margaret River, The Barossa Valley & Kangaroo Island

Posted on by Nicola Billens

Wine Flight

Spend 2-3 nights at each property. This itinerary works equally well in reverse.

Not surprisingly wine region culture so often seeds a strong food culture and vice versa. The two simply go hand in hand. Australia’s reputation as a premium wine-producing country is undisputed.

Wine lovers from around the world are drawn to the ‘home’ of the wines they have tried, savoured and loved. The Louise Barossa Valley, Cape Lodge Margaret River, and Kangaroo Island offer an entree to these prestigious and emerging wine regions, and very often, a personal connection with the winemakers and characters who live there.

This itinerary offers world-class wine experiences together with warm and knowledgeable hospitality alongside culinary excellence and luxury accommodation.

This itinerary is just an indicator of what’s on offer in Australia. At Alquemie we tailor make every vacation based on the whims of our guests. Please contact us to find out about the magical holiday we could craft for you.

 

Cape Lodge, Margaret River
Cape Lodge, Margaret River

CAPE LODGE – MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)

Cape Lodge private estate and boutique hotel sits within 40 acres on its own vineyard in the heart of the Margaret River wine region – a wine region by the sea. This premium wine region has a strong reputation for fine gastronomic flavours and spectacular scenery, where rolling vineyards sit against a backdrop of ocean and forest.

A selection of must do’s

  • Best of the Best Wine Tour – A sophisticated behind the scenes wine tour often referred to as “The wine tour for people who don’t do tours”. No minivans, no crowds; the Best of the Best Wine Tour represents personalised touring at its best.
  • Gourmet Weekends are also scheduled throughout the year bringing together winemakers, food producers and lovers of food and wine. These weekends include master classes, tastings and winemakers dinners.
  • The Cape Lodge Cooking Classes are ideal for lovers of great food and wine experiences. Keep an eye out for the Long Table Lunch Calendar including Truffle Hunt Tour.
The Louise overlooks stunning vineyards of the Barossa Valley
The Louise overlooks stunning vineyards of the Barossa Valley

THE LOUISE BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)

The Louise, an idyllic luxury vineyard retreat, encompassing acclaimed restaurant Appellation, is situated on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines, with breathtaking vistas across the world renowned Barossa Valley. Home to more than 100 wineries, the Barossa is a vibrant community with a rich 160-year old cultural and architectural heritage and the oldest continuous food and wine culture in Australia.

A selection of must do’s

  • The Most Brilliant Blend – Don a labcoat and enjoy the challenge of being a winemaker for a day in the Penfolds laboratory where many of the iconic Penfold’s wine blends originate. Bring your blended wine back to Appellation to form part of your dining experience that evening.
  • Numerous private tastings and winemaker introductions may be arranged for guests such as the exclusive private tour of Seppeltsfield – A National treasure and living museum of wine history.
  • Appellation features a nightly wine-paired Chef’s Tasting Menu and believes that the sum of ‘food + wine’ should be greater than the individual parts and that wine is a finished product. A series of dishes created to pair with specific wines, creating a unique marriage, with ingredients directed by the season.

KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the coast of mainland Australia and is known as Australia’s Galapagos. It is home to an abundance of iconic native Australian wildlife species and features stunning coastlines and spectacular scenery.

Indulge yourself in premium luxury at Ocean View Eco Villas, Kangaroo Island. Oceanview Eco Villas is a fully-hosted eco-luxury accommodation located on a 500-acre rural property, nestled atop the stunning Kangaroo Island coastline known as ‘Redbanks’.

A selection of must do’s

  • See Kangaroos (and koalas) in the wild of course!
  • Dine your way around the island as you explore a diversity of wild-catch and farmed seafood, olive oil, honey, wines, micro-brewed beer, gin and free range eggs.
  • Meet with researchers, volunteers and find out what is happening behind the scenes for conservation on Kangaroo Island.
  • Explore Kangaroo Island on a multi-mode adventure – four-wheel drive, walking, ocean rafting and fat-tyre cycling.
  • Walk among Australian sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach at Seal Bay Conservation Park.

 

Click here to begin your tailor-made journey to Australia

Luxury Australian Itinerary – A culinary experience for stylish foodies

Posted on by Nicola Billens

A culinary experience for stylish foodies

6-9 nights (plus suggested add-on and extra nights en route if desired).

The enjoyment of food and wine is integral to the experience offered by every luxury lodge of Australia and the culinary standard at all properties is outstanding. However, the food & wine experience offered by some properties is truly the lodge’s reason for being, and for visitors for whom food and wine is a primary reason to travel, these properties will have a compelling attraction.

Appellation at The Louise, Cape Lodge and Lake House are outstanding examples of destination restaurants, with luxury accommodation co-located. These culinary destinations, or ‘restaurants with rooms’, have international and national recognitions at the highest level. The below itinerary is should appear on any food and wine lover’s bucket list.

This itinerary is just an indicator of what’s on offer in Australia. At Alquemie we tailor make every vacation based on the whims of our guests. Please contact us to find out about the magical holiday we could craft for you.

Cape Lodge is Margaret River's finest dining experience
Cape Lodge is Margaret River’s finest dining experience

CAPE LODGE, MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (2-3 NIGHTS)

Described as one of Australia’s finest gourmet establishments, Cape Lodge private estate and boutique hotel sits within 40 acres on its own vineyard in the heart of the Margaret River wine region.

A selection of must do’s

  • Best of the Best Wine Tour – A sophisticated behind the scenes wine tour often referred to as “The wine tour for people who don’t do tours”. No minivans, no crowds; the Best of the Best Wine Tour represents personalised touring at its best.
  • Sunset Kangaroo Safari – Have your camera ready as you get up close and personal to the Western Grey Kangaroo’s in their natural surroundings. Savour delicious home baked orange cake with a steaming cup of Billy tea or coffee.
  • The Cape Lodge Gourmet Retreat and Cooking Classes are ideal for lovers of great food and wine experiences.
Discover perfectly paired wine and food at Appellation restaurant at The Louise
Discover perfectly paired wine and food at Appellation restaurant at The Louise

THE LOUISE, BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (2-3 NIGHTS)

The Louise, an idyllic luxury vineyard retreat, encompassing acclaimed restaurant Appellation, is situated on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines, with breathtaking vistas across the world renowned Barossa Valley.

A selection of must do’s

  • The Most Brilliant Blend with Appellation restaurant and Penfolds – Don a labcoat and enjoy the challenge of being a winemaker for a day in the Penfolds laboratory where many of the iconic Penfold’s wine blends originate. Bring your blended wine back to Appellation where the award winning culinary team will create a special course custom paired to your wine that will form part of your dining experience at Appellation that evening.
  • On a Saturday morning join one of Appellation’s chefs at the Barossa Farmer’s Market, as they shop for dinner provisions and share in their delight for the food of the region.
  • Exclusive private tour of Seppeltsfield – A National treasure and living museum of Australian wine history.
  • A day touring a selection of (over 100) wineries that have made the Barossa Australia’s most famous and revered wine region.
Discover dining delight at Daylesford's LakeHouse
Discover dining delight at Daylesford’s Lake House

LAKE HOUSE, DAYLESFORD, VICTORIA (2-3 NIGHTS)

An icon in regional dining, Lake House in Daylesford has long been considered to be one of Australia’s best restaurants, championing local seasonal cuisine long before it became a mantra for many. The hotel and all manner of indulgent facilities that have grown around the restaurant over the past three decades continue to delight visitors from near and far. Indeed executive chef and co-proprietor Alla Wolf Tasker has enough national and international awards to fill virtually every wall of her fabled house on the lake.

A selection of must do’s

  • Dine at the multi-award winning Lake House Restaurant.
  • Farm Gate & Winery Tour – Head out for the day with a local guide and meet the farmers, producers and winemakers who passionately connect the ‘paddock to plate’. There’s organic and biodynamic producers, rare breed farmers, producers of goat and sheep’s milk cheese, cider, beer & winemakers, bakers and more. You’ll taste along the way and there’s plenty of opportunity to fill your bags if your luggage allowance can cope!
  • Meander through the property grounds and explore the Kitchen Garden planted out with herbs and edible flowers. Orchard areas include olives, crabapple, stone fruits, apple, quince and medlar.
Enjoy a sunset and al fresco dining at Spicers Peak Lodge
Enjoy a sunset and al fresco dining at Spicers Peak Lodge

SPICERS PEAK LODGE (OPTIONAL EXTRA)

The eponymous Spicers Peak Lodge Restaurant, is a highly respected and awarded restaurant, offering cooking schools and specialist cooking retreats.

Click here to begin your tailor-made journey to Australia

The Louise – Luxury Lodges of Australia

Posted on by Nicola Billens

The Louise, is an intimate Luxury Lodge of Australia in the Barossa Valley with just fifteen beautifully appointed suites. We talked to Ruby Stobart, Director of Sales and Marketing to find out more.

Describe The Louise in 3 words.

Luxurious, private, authentic.

Tell us a little bit about The Louise and what makes it so unique beyond great food, great wine and a very comfortable place to sleep?

A stay at The Louise is more than a memorable dinner just a short stroll from your luxurious suite, it’s a place where you can find a genuine connection to the people and land of Barossa through food, wine, and experiences. Our luxurious suites, dinner, informed and intuitive service understands the need for our guests’ breathing space and privacy, to allow reconnection to each other, self and the beautiful region that is Barossa.

Nestled in the heart of Barossa, Australia’s most famous wine region, The Louise offers absolute luxury and inspired design with private spaces and breathtaking vineyard views together with Appellation restaurant, one of Australia’s best contemporary regional dining experiences. With a passion for fresh local ingredients, Executive chef Ryan Edwards and his team are guided by the rhythms of the seasons; harvesting from their kitchen garden, baking their own breads, butchering and curing their own meats; and see wine and food as the most natural of partners.

The Louise restaurant Appellation - chef's picking fresh food

 

The Barossa is home to over 80 cellar doors and over 50 small producers who are not open to the public; we have great relationships with local producers and are happy to share these with you. Whether it be a one-on-one masterclass at an iconic winery, a private lunch and tasting with an artisan winemaker or a behind-the-scenes look into a working winery with the winemaker, there are many ways for you to enjoy what is magic and special about the Barossa.

How is The Louise pushing the boundaries in guest experiences?

Surrounded by stunning vineyards, The Louise suites are designed for you to revel in beautiful vineyard views, offering breathing space as well as a sense of privacy. A stay at The Louise seeks to cocoon and pamper, all suites have spa tubs for relaxation and many with gas log fireplaces for cosy days, and outdoor private rain showers – showering under a Southern sky is one of those special experiences! Appellation’s sunset terrace is the perfect place for cocktails and fine wines overlooking verdant vistas. Our infinity edge lap pool sits adjacent to vines and overlooks olive groves, casting glorious light as the sun sets. In-suite massages can be arranged in your private courtyard too.

The Louise pool

We pride ourselves on our local knowledge and relationships to deliver unique and special off-site guest experiences. Some of my favourites are:

Breakfast with the Kangaroos – walk amongst Australian flowers, birds and wildlife then sit back and enjoy a sunrise picnic breakfast with kangaroos in native bushland.

Most Brilliant Blend – for the wine enthusiast, make your most brilliant blend of wine at the famous Penfolds and have our chef prepare a dinner to match.

Farmer’s Market Tour – join our chef while he peruses the local farmer’s market for dinner provisions, meet the makers and share in his passion for the food of the region.

Hot air balloon flights – float over ancient vineyards and natural landscapes whilst enjoying a birds eye view of wine valleys.

Cooking classes – Roll up your sleeves and get into the kitchen at either of two cooking schools in the Barossa; the Italian inspired Casa Carboni or the intimate kitchen studio of Food Luddite.

The Louise dining at Appellation

What’s a recent (last 6 months) innovation at The Louise?

We’ve partnered with Australia’s most exciting winery Two Hands Wines and their Vineyard Experiences to bring you a ‘vineyard safari’ like no other. Your guide will pick you up from The Louise in a luxury Land Rover Defender, for a day of exploring iconic Two Hands Wines private vineyard estates. You’ll stand in the vineyard, drinking the wine from the vines you see before you, with views unrivalled in Barossa, flagship wines and a wood-fired pizza lunch to finish. This is a one of a kind behind the scenes experience in Australia.

We love this experience so much it is part of our 3 night Best of Barossa package!

What activity should guests not miss during their stay at The Louise?

My perfect day – Taste for yourself the bounty of great Australian wine and genuine Barossa hospitality:
Tour the Barossa Farmer’s Market with our chef on a Saturday (he’ll even buy you a coffee!), chat with the growers and shop for the evening’s meal. Enjoy a day wine touring with a local guide – start with the Influences of Oak tasting at Murray Street Vineyards hosted by the winemaker, a great insight into the whole winemaking process, then join one of the family for a tasting at the famous Elderton Wines, and make sure you head over to Fino @ Seppeltsfield for a delicious lunch and a stroll through the JamFactory artists’ studios, return to The Louise for a soak in your tub and a sundowner on your private terrace.

Best dining experience at The Louise?

Appellation’s wine paired four course dinner: our menu offers you the opportunity to enjoy the very finest of seasonal produce from our friends, neighbours, and regions of South Australia. You simply select your own ‘four course tour’ of the menu, and our Sommelier will pair wines from our award winning 400+ wine list.

The Louise restaurant Appellation

Please describe a typical guest at The Louise.

The Louise is perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway, experience seekers

Is The Louise child friendly?

Appellation at The Louise is designed for adults and caters for children 10 years and older, who will be accommodated on the same basis as adults.

Ruby Stobart
Director of Sales and Marketing – The Louise and Appellation

Born in New Zealand and with many other stops along the way, Ruby has enjoyed a life of travel. Her adventures have taken her to many parts of the globe; living in Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, England and the USA as well as trips to Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Cambodia, the Caribbean and Bahamas. Her passion is for great food and wine and this drove her to study wine in various levels at Adelaide University, Court of Master Sommeliers, Australian Wine Research Institute and WSET UK. Her work in the industry includes roles in wine buying, wine sales, marketing and management.

Ruby oversees The Louise and Appellation brand communication and takes care of all trade and media relationships and has been with the company for over 9 years. She genuinely relishes working in the hospitality and tourism industries and along with her work at The Louise is currently Deputy Chair for Tourism Barossa and co-founder of non-profit meal service Kind Hearted Kitchen. Married to a winemaker and mother of two, living and working in the Barossa with like-minded passionate people, Ruby feels she is living ‘the good life’.

 

Ruby Stobart
Ruby Stobart

Click here to find out more about Australian travel with Alquemie