Every Bite Tells a Story
Every bite tells a story | Discover Longleat Wines: Serenity amid the vineyards
Dive into the heart of Goulburn Valley’s culinary scene with Jan and Paul Phillips, our newest columnists at The News. Every Friday, the pair will serve our readers with their knowledge of our communities’ restaurants, cafés and pubs — one plate at a time.
Family-run businesses, when managed with passion, care and love, have a remarkable knack for making you feel right at home. Longleat Wines exemplifies this sentiment flawlessly.
Sandra and Guido Vazzoler embody the perfect blend of hard work and joy, yielding exceptional local wine, tantalising cuisine and a superb setting.
Situated just a stone’s throw away from Shepparton (a mere 30km drive) or a leisurely yet lengthy bike ride, Longleat sits proudly near Murchison, nestled on the picturesque left bank of the Goulburn River. Its charm is ineffable, with the backdrop of eucalyptus trees and vineyards adding to its appeal. The warm and welcoming service only enhances the vibe, making it an essential place for any visitor. This is a location to be experienced and a destination not to be missed.
Our engagements at this remarkable venue have spanned a multitude of occasions, from weddings and club meetings to rendezvous with friends, Shepparton festival festivities, and special Italian culinary events featuring the talents of Michelin Star and award-winning chef Luca Ciano. It is our go-to place to take family and friends or just the two of us.
Sandra and Guido are wonderful hosts, great friends, beautiful community members, tremendous people to do business with, and all-around terrific human beings with exceptional staff, such as our daughter Ellie.
The Phillips family have great connections with Longleat Wines, having all worked there at some stage. We have also put our personal stamp on the venue, with a ‘Phillips’ brick in the fireplace.
La Zingara (The Gypsy), who wears a cloak of Italian vineyards that she settles over the Murchison vineyard, is a superb ceramic installation by the talented Angie Russi and is an acknowledgment of Guido’s Italian heritage. We loved watching their family and business grow and establish themselves as a powerhouse in our region.
During our recent visit, the culinary delights surpassed all expectations. From the comforting Somerset carrot soup to the house-made pasta with Swiss brown mushrooms, the exquisite chicken cotoletta with a honey and macadamia crumb and OMG, the pumpkin salad, each dish was a masterpiece. The crowning glory was the choc hazelnut cannoli, so delectable that we contemplated returning for seconds. And, of course, every bite was accompanied by the impeccable wines of Longleat.
While the food has always been exceptional, regional and uniquely flavourful, the addition of Jack Brady as the chef introduces a new dimension. His origins in the local food scene run deep, with a legendary family legacy — his grandmother Lorna Marsden at the helm of Maisie’s restaurant on Maude St, his mother, Lisa Brady, as the esteemed chef at the Mooroopna Golf Club, and his aunt Deb Quinn penning a cooking column for The News.
Open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Bookings required for meals — lunch bookings are essential.
Food pricing for Longleat Wines, rated by Jan and Paul: $$
(Expensive $$$, moderate $$ good value $)