Rochford Wines – Yarra Valley, Victoria

Set amongst the lush greenery of the Yarra Valley wine region, a visit to Rochford wines ensures a unique experience featuring a wine cellar (offering complementary tasting), produce store and restaurant, all under one roof.

At the end of last year, Rochford Wines underwent an extensive renovation, introducing a more laid-back approach to its restaurant, which now accommodates up to 200 people.

Designed by head chef Raki Andriana, with over 10 years experience in leading Melbourne and Victorian restaurants, the menu has taken on a refreshing new direction, celebrating the seasonal produce from the Yarra Valley whilst introducing something unique to the region with dishes featuring Middle Eastern and French influences.

The current autumn menu is now the second menu that Rochford wines has launched, and will continue to change each season to reflect the freshest produce available, offering an extensive menu featuring small to large plates each matched to a wine. 2015 was also a phenomenal year for Yarra Valley pinot noir so make sure you also check out the newly released 2015 Premier Pinot Noir, it may be a young wine but it’s incredibly easy on the palate being both smooth and complex.

Some of the more traditional winery fare on the menu has a slight twist, with the Charcuterie platter featuring ‘Njuda – a spicy, spreadable sausage – plus two types of salami, fennel and garlic, and wagyu. Dishes like the wagyu tartare and the beautifully presented fresh figs also won’t look out of place in a fine dining establishment.

When it comes to desserts – Rochford wines weren’t wrong when they referred to this as their ‘pièce de résistance’. My personal favourite, the strawberries, broken cheesecake and smoked meringue is simply delightful and captures not just the new direction of the restaurant, but in essence, the Yarra Valley.