Chauncy is the work of chef Louis Naepels and his companion, sommelier Tess Murray. Naepels is French, and is impressed by his experiences in Pays Basque, south-western France, the place native, seasonal produce is king, and method is refined however skilful. Murray has expertise in a few of Melbourne’s greatest eating places, and has performed vintages making wine in Burgundy and Mornington Peninsula.
Collectively the pair have created one thing joyous at Chauncy, one thing refreshingly completely satisfied. It’s fine-dining that’s enjoyable. Haute delicacies with out haughtiness. And the best excuse for a European-style foodie street journey.
Haute delicacies with out haughtiness.
Right here’s the itinerary. My companion and I flew this morning from Sydney to Melbourne, the place we touched down at 10am. We employed a automotive at Melbourne Airport and hit the freeway north, arriving in Heathcote in loads of time for a 1pm reserving.
The meals at this time is the stuff of goals. To begin, crudite with ajo blanco, and rooster liver parfait with pickled shallots; then grilled leeks with romesco sauce; pumpkin and ricotta tortellini with veloute; and eventually, pork with eggplant, carrot and apple cider jus, with Swiss chard gratin. We add a creme brulee and a tarte Tatin, as a result of we didn’t journey all this approach to skip dessert.
That is just the start of our gastronomic mini-break. After lunch we head a couple of minutes up the street to Heathcote II, a vineyard with lodging on-site, villas that every have walk-in wine cellars crammed with well-chosen and nicely priced drops from France and Australia. We’ll crack a bottle or, ah, two tonight whereas we eat charcuterie we purchased earlier, sitting in entrance of the wooden fireplace.
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Tomorrow we’ve acquired an appointment for a tasting at Syrahmi, in all probability the most effective vineyard in Heathcote, and the one chargeable for luring Naepels and Murray to the realm. Winemaker Adam Foster is a passionate supporter of the area, one who provided to open up his private cellar for Murray to plunder for her wine record – and one who instinctively understands the attraction of an outdated stone constructing on the longest foremost road within the southern hemisphere (or rural Victoria).
The author travelled as a visitor of Go to Victoria. See visitvictoria.com
THE DETAILS
EAT + DRINK
Chauncy (178 Excessive Avenue, Heathcote) is open for lunch Friday to Monday. See chauncy.com.au.
Syrahmi (2370 Lancefield-Tooborac Street, Tooborac) is open for tastings by appointment. See syrahmi.com.au
STAY
The Cellars at Heathcote II are self-contained, one-bedroom villas with fireplaces and open decks, every with non-public wine cellars, from $335 an evening. See thecellars.heathcote2.com