Local Winery Hosts Food And Wine Feast

Last Sunday I was asked to help with the catering at a thankyou to members day that also celebrated the produce available on Tamborine Mountain.

The event was held at Witches Falls Winery. The menu was designed to feature the wines made by owner Jon Heslop, Winemaker Abbey Nicholas and resident wine-master Jason Froman.

Mike Butler from North Tamborine Butchery sourced some exceptional rib fillet steak from central Queensland Diamantina River area.

The menu I prepared was designed to compliment a vertical tasting of Merlot from the ‘07, ‘08 and yet to be bottled, straight from the barrel ‘09 vintages.

The wine of the day, Merlot complimented the steak extremely well. Wine photo from Witches Falls Winery.

Hearing about the way the wines were prepared, from the grapes, the interaction with the Tamborine Mountain weather and finally the loving treatment given to every drop of the wine, before it was ready for bottling was fascinating.

Come to think of it hearing about it was good but tasting it was better. Or from another point of view, having it ready to use in cooking!!

Lets have a look at how red wine and steak goes so well together.

I marinated the prime tender steak in Merlot for 20 minutes and patted it dry. I then seasoned it with salt and cracked black pepper.

Then straight on to a hot oiled BBQ. It was seared on both sides to seal in the juices and flavour and cooked till the meat, in this case, was medium-rare.  The meat was then rested for a few minutes to retain the juices.

Even a simple Caprese salad is given a boost when drizzled with Witches Falls’ balsamic vinegar. PHOTO/Microsoft Office

The result was sensational with the Merlot giving the steak an extra succulence.

Then to really compliment it we fried some onions and when almost cooked added a splash of the Merlot the steak had been marinating in.

The smell was amazing and it gave the onions a shiny pinkness.

Merlot also goes well with Mediterranean style food, so a pasta salad with char grilled capsicum, zucchini, aubergine as well as olives, semi dried tomatoes and lots of herbs was made.

I have used just ripe peaches and Witches Falls Botrytis for this week's recipe of Botrytis Baked Peaches.PHOTO/ Microsoft Office and Witches Falls Winery.

Even a simple Caprese salad (above) is given a boost when drizzled with Witches Falls’ balsamic vinegar.

Other products that Wiches Falls Winery produces include the desert wines of Muscat, Tawny and Botrytis, which are great to drink on their own and even better when also used in the cooking.

 
To take part in these wonderful complimentary days in the winery it’s easy to become a member, just purchase a dozen bottles. 

Details are at: www.witchesfalls.com.au and I will see you at the next spectacular member’s day.

 

*Sideways is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne and directed by Payne. Adapted from Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name, Sideways follows two forty-something year old men, portrayed by Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, who take a week-long road trip to Santa Barbara County Wine Country.

Payne and Taylor won multiple awards for their screenplay. Giamatti and Church, as well as actresses Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, playing local women who become romantically involved with the men, all received accolades for their performances.

Sideways won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and was nominated for four other awards.

To view the YouTube video of the Merlot scene from Sideways visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiOuroHPxRQ
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