Past Functions

Past Functions - 2010-11

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SEPTEMBER 2011
Wednesday 14th September 
Zest Restaurant - Holmesglen

Guest Speaker:    Natalie Pizzini   Pizzini Wines – King Valley
Pizzini Wines has been built by Alfred and Katrina based on the passion and commitment to family and the families Italian heritage, hard work and determination shown to them by Rosa and Roberto. Today these same virtues have been bestowed on Alfred and Katrina’s children who all work within the business in some capacity. Alfred and Katrina’s vision is to entrench themselves as Australia’s premium producer of fine Italian style wines as they capitalise on their Italian heritage and the King Valleys ability to do so.

Menu
Zest Restaurant
Set Menu, 50/50
Entrée
Poached free range egg, Serrano ham, asparagus and cos leaves
Salmon confit with a salad of green beans, Eildon valley olives, quail egg and aioli
Main
Chicken involtini on stewed white beans, chorizo sausage and smoked pork belly
Peppered  fillet of beef with horseradish cream, watercress, potato and turnip gratin
Dessert
Bruleed citrus tart, mandarin friande and blood orange sorbet
Baked choux pastry filled with orange blossom praline cream, fresh strawberry and Persian fairy floss
FUNCTION NOTICE

AUGUST 2011
CANCELLED!
Unfortunately this function has been cancelled due to a number of late withdrawals. The Committee will discuss the possibility of re-scheduling to another date.
Tuesday 9th August 
Angoves Whiskey Night
Jim Kelly of Angoves will lead us through a Whisky Tasting of Glenfarcias Whisky's from 8 year old to 40 year old. The Glenfarcias 40 year old has just been awarded the Malt Whisky Society of Australia’s top Gold Medal and trophy for Best Non Australian Malt Whisky in this year’s challenge.
FUNCTION NOTICE

JULY 2011
Wednesday 13th July 
52nd AGM - Guest: Leanne De Bortoli of DeBortoli Wines
Verona Room, Gateway on Monash
630 Blackburn Rd, Notting Hill 3186
Melway 70 J8
6.30pm for 7.00pm Start AGM
FUNCTION NOTICE  AGM AGENDA   MEMBERSHIP FORM

JUNE 2011
Wednesday 8th June - Taste N Talk
Tabilk Winery - Wine Tasting of 10 Wines - With Winemaker & Production Manager Neil Larson
At St Michaels Church Hall
CEO Alister Purbrick & Neil Larson have put together a tasting list of 10 wines (including some museum wines) as follows:
Tahbilk Marsanne - 2010, 2006 (4 trophies) & 2004 (3 Trophies)
Tahbilk Shiraz - 2007 and 1999
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon - 2007 and 1999
Tahbilk “Eric Stevens Purbrick or ESP” Shiraz - 2005
Tahbilk “ESP” Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005
Tahbilk “ 1860 vines” Shiraz - 2005 
There will be a light meal served at 6.30pm
FUNCTION NOTICE  

MAY 2011
Saturday/Sunday 14th/15th May - 2 Day Coach Tour
Great Western & Grampians Regions
Our weekend tour this year takes us through a number of wineries which we have not visited for quite a number of years.
The Committee has again gone to great lengths to ensure that this two-day tour is as good as it gets, and has managed to keep a remarkably low price for this weekender. This is really too good to miss.
Check out the itinerary to see what is in store for you and your guests.
FUNCTION NOTICE
ITINERARY 

APRIL 2011
Wednesday 6th April - Taste N Talk
LOUIS  DE  CASTELLA WINES (Heathcote) and JEAN PAUL’S VINEYARD (Yea Valley )
St Michaels Church Hall
268 High St Ashburton
The de Castella family wine history from Hubert and Paul de Castella’s beginnings in the 1850’s through to the journey of today’s family into grape growing and wine making.
FUNCTION NOTICE
Note: The venue is St Michaels Church Hall.
268 High St Ashburton

MARCH 2011
Sunday 20th March - One Day Coach Tour to Bellarine Region.
This one day coach tour has been specifically arranged for us to visit some of the smaller vineyards in the Bellarine area that did not have cellar door facilities earlier or could not cater for large coach tours. 
Our first stop is McGlashan’s Estate, located just down from the Bellarine Adventure Park . A lovely new tasting room with tables and chairs inside and outside awaits us where our Hosts, Russell and Jan McGlashan will provide a tasting.  
Next stop is Banks Road Vineyard for a conducted wine tasting before lunch. 
A light menu of any of the 3 suggested choices below: 
Mousaka - Layers of Eggplant and Greeks Styled Mince and served with Salad. (Cabernet)
Spinach and Fetta Wheels - Layered spinach and Fetta Cheese served with Salad. (Pinot Gris)
Home Made Pie - Beef and vegetables Served with a Salad and Tomato Relish. (Shiraz)
Followed by cake, tea and coffee.
After lunch we visit Mermeus Winery with our hosts, Paul and Jennifer Champion in Soho Road, Drysdale. They are looking forward to our visit. 
Don’t miss this very affordable great day out, book early so as not to be disappointed.
FUNCTION NOTICE
ITINERARY

MARCH 2011
Tuesday 1st March - Restaurant Dinner at Bucatini
454 Whitehorse Rd Mitcham. Guest - David Bicknell - Chief Winemaker at Oakridge Estate.
Oakridge Wines on the Maroondah Hwy at Coldstream.
Since its founding in 1978, Oakridge has been making wine in the Yarra Valley and has evolved as an outstanding winery, regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and supported by a welcoming cellar door and restaurant.
Bordered by the mountains of the Great Dividing Range and stretching across 10 hectares of landscaped vines and gardens along Maroondah Highway, the family-owned estate is dedicated to producing outstanding and distinctive wines while providing visitors with a truly memorable wine and food experience.
 
David Bicknell - Chief Winemaker and CEO
David has worked three French and 18 Yarra Valley vintages since leaving Roseworthy and has held the position of Chief Winemaker at Oakridge since 2002.
Since this time David has been pouring his heart and soul into producing award- winning wines for Oakridge.
With an approach to wine-making that incorporates everything from the soil type from which the vines grow to the type of music that is played during vinification, David’s ability to create remarkable wine stems from his intuition and innovative tactics, which allow him to deliver outstanding results each year.  
Bucatini Restaurant & Bar
Bucatini is located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs at 454 Whitehorse Rd Mitcham. Formerly Nero's, Bucatini Restaurant & Bar offers delicious Italian fare and excellent service in an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. Function room available. Ideal for any occasion.
Bucatini Restaurant and Bar features modern Italian cuisine prepared with fresh local and imported produce, Bucatini’s menu is full of flavour. There’s something to suit all tastes.
Function Notice & Booking Form
Note: RSVP is Friday 25th February

FEBRUARY 2011
Sunday 6th February - Breakfast On Yarra - BOY
(Postponed to Sun 13th Feb due to wet weather)
Alexandra Avenue, near Anderson St (Morell Bridge) (Melways 2G D11)
Time: 8.30am for 9.00am start
Wines: Selection of bubbly, reds & whites from the Guild Cellar - Glasses are supplied.
Menu: Catered by the committee and volunteers, breakfast is BBQ sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, followed by pancakes, jam, cream and fresh fruit.
BYO: Tables, chairs, rugs, umbrella, hats & sunscreen.
Cost: Members: $20.00 Guests: $30
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM RSVP Friday 29th January

DECEMBER 2010
Sunday 5th December - Winery Luncheon at Rustic Charm Restaurant at Wild Cattle Creek Winery
Cnr. Warburton Hwy & Wallace Road, Wandin (enter off Wallace Road ) Mel. Ref. 119 G11
Time: 12 noon
Wines: Selection of wines from Wild Cattle Creek Winery.
Menu:
- Wine tasting accompanied with delicious platters 
- A walking tour through the beautiful vineyard 
- BBQ Buffet Lunch including 2 hours of wine enjoyment
- Tea & Coffee 
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM

NOVEMBER 2010
One Day Coach Tour - Heathcote Area
The wineries we will be visiting are:
FLYNNS WINES Est. 1998 
Owners / winemakers Greg and Natala Flynn produce the wines Shiraz , Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Verdelho, Voignier, from fruit grown in their own vineyard. They have been listed as one on the best new wineries in James Halliday’s 2008 Wine Companion. Natala also makes jams and preserved fruit.
HEATHCOTE WINERY Est. 1981  
Producer of premium Shiraz and a variety of quality white wines. The cellar door, managed by Bridget Currie was built in 1854, originally a gold miners produce store. 
Lunch: Chef Karen Edwards is responsible for the delicious lunch served in the courtyard of Craven’s café.
IDAVUE ESTATE Est. 1999  
A boutique vineyard of fourteen acres, winery and cellar door owned by winemakers Andy and Sandy Whytcross. Best known for their full bodied Heathcote Shiraz, they also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Semillon.
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM
ITINERARY
WINERY INFORMATION

OCTOBER 2010
Sunday 24th October - Guild Bottling
Geoff & Jenny Dennehy's Property
15 Cloverlea Drive , KILSYTH SOUTH 3137   Melways 51 F11
Enquiries Ph: 9728 8973 or Mobile:  0437 288 973
This function is the annual wine bottling function where everyone gets a turn at all levels of the bottling. We have a Chardonnay and a Merlot with both wines from the Yarra Valley. Following the bottling we will enjoy a spit roast provided once again by Scott Henderson of ASAT Catering with hot potatoes and salads, followed by fresh fruit & cheese. Each person can select one bottle of their choice to take home. Further purchases can be made of both the Chardonnay and the Merlot at $8 per bottle.
Starts at 10.00am. Please bring a chair and sunscreen. 
Bookings by Friday 15th October.
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM

SEPTEMBER 2010
Wednesday 15th September - Old Orchard Winery Restaurant Dinner with David Smith at Nelsons Restaurant, 382 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South, 3152.
You won’t want to miss this night. This Restaurant function is being held at Nelsons 382 Restaurant in Wantirna South but it will be hosted by David Smith of The Old Orchard Winery also in Wantirna South. The reason that it is not being held at The Old Orchard Winery is we expect the numbers attending to exceed the seating capacity of the winery function room. So it is on at Nelsons Restaurant. It should be a night to remember and we are publishing the menu so that you will know in advance exactly what the selections are. Well, not exactly, as there is a hint of mystery with the menu. But don’t be concerned about the menu mystery as it will form part of the entertainment as David Smith will explain on the night. It is a four course menu accompanied with Old Orchard Winery wines.

Members: $60.00.  Non members: $ 70.00.

Nelsons 382 Restaurant, 382 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South, 3152
(Diagonally opposite Knox City)

Click here for more details including the FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM

Click here for the MENU  (With a hint of mystery)

AUGUST 2010
Wednesday 18th August - Taste N Talk with Jeff Burch, CEO of Howard Park Estate, Margaret River, Western Australia.
This Taste N Talk will be a special night for a number of reasons. Firstly, our guest Jeff Burch of Howard Park Estate is coming all the way from Margaret River, Western Australia to share his experiences. Secondly, as a member of the Australia’s First Families of Wine (12 family-owned Australian wineries); Jeff will have a story to tell about that initiative. Thirdly, we will also hear about Howard Park’s journey in relation to establishing a Facebook profile where Howard Park now has over 100,000 Facebook friends. And fourthly, Jeff as the owner and CEO of Howard Park Wines, will tell his story of how he is deeply committed to wine excellence and embraces a mantra of “no compromise” when it comes to all the ingredients that make up the final glass of Howard Park.

Jeff’s interest in the world of wine began through his love of surfing and regular visits to Western Australia’s Margaret River. Frequent visits to the region presented Jeff with the opportunity to interact with the many great wine producers with whom he shared their passion for wine and hunger for knowledge.
Howard Park is proud to be one of Western Australia’s leading boutique family wineries producing a range of fine Australian wines from the state's premier grape growing regions of Margaret River and the Great Southern. Since 1986, Howard Park’s philosophy has been to craft outstanding wines of great subtlety, character, balance and elegance with an uncompromising commitment to quality. As well as the Howard Park label, we will also hear about the labels of Mad Fish (high on quality yet without pretension and fuss reflecting WA's laid-back lifestyle) and Marchand & Burch (a unique winemaking joint venture). Each is a story in its own right.
Included Bonus:
Also, on the same night, get to meet the author of the book - Australia’s First Families of Wine, none other than Wine Guild Committee Person - Graeme Lofts.
St Scholastica School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
FUNCTION NOTICE

JULY 2010
Tuesday 13th July - 51st Annual General Meeting of the WSG at the Gateway on Monash
Winemaker: Shane Kerr from Trentham Estate - Near Mildura
Arrival is from 6,30pm with Bubbly, and the AGM will start at 7.00pm and should be completed by 7.30pm. Then it is a 3 course dinner with our guest Owner & Winemaker Anthony Murphy from Trentham Estate, just over the border from Mildura. Please note that the special subsidised price of $55 is for those members who have joined/renewed by 7th July. Should be a top night.
FUNCTION NOTICE  AGM AGENDA   MEMBERSHIP FORM

JUNE 2010
Tuesday 29th June - Taste N Talk - Walter Bos - one of the most noted wine speakers in Australia and also Managing Director at In Wine Export Pty.Ltd..
St Scholastica School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
With a degree in Winemaking & Wine Marketing, Walter Bos has a wealth of experience in the Wine industry (40+ years) having been in a number of management positions in some of the most prominent wine-related companies, such as:
Lindemans Wines - Management Positions in two states.
Orlando Wines - Fine Wines Manager
Morris of Rutherglen - State Manager
Flinders Wholesale Wines & Spirits - Brand Manager of Wines, Beer & Spirits, and
In Wine Export Pty Ltd - Managing Director of own company exporting wines to continental Europe.
Walter will be discussing Masterclass Tasting and Exporting Wine to Europe. But with his broad wine knowledge and following questions we might go down many paths.
There is Bubbly and a light meal on arrival at 6.30pm with the presentation starting at approx. 7.00pm.
Join us on the 29th June for what should be an interesting night.
Off-street car parking - enter from Starling St
FUNCTION NOTICE

MAY 2010
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th May - 2 Day Coach Tour - Maryborough Region
Another 2-day coach trip has been planned & researched, and will be held on Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th May. The tour will be concentrating on the Lamplough, Alma and Maryborough areas.
Members & guests on previous 2-day trips will know that Wine Guild 2 day coach tours are interesting, varied and value for money. On the Saturday, following morning tea at Ballarat we will be visiting four wineries in Lamplough and Alma, with the Saturday lunch at St Agnatious Vineyard being traditional Argentinean cuisine. Dinner will be at Peppa’s Restaurant at the Bristol Hill Motor Inn, Mayborough, with Kevin Noonan of Eddington Rise Estate providing the wines. We will stay the night at the Bristol Hill Motor Inn. Sunday will start with a hot cooked buffet breakfast in the historic railway station in Maryborough with time to browse the thousands of antique and collectable items for sale. The winery for Sunday is at Talbot and there will be some time to take in the Talbot Farmers Market. Sunday lunch will be at the Clunes National Hotel where the owners of Mount Beckworth Wines, Jane & Paul Lesock will join us to provide samples of their wines. Then we head for home, including a tea & coffee break. Please see the Maryborough Itinerary and the Function Notice. Your committee is confident that the Maryborough 2 DayTour will be another memorable event
ITINERARY    FUNCTION NOTICE

APRIL 2010
Wednesday 14th April - Winemaker Dinner - At Tao's Restaurant
201 Bulleen Rd, Bulleen (Melways 32 D7)
Our Guest will be Winemaker: Graham Van Meulen of Seville Estate Winery,
Winner of the Yarra Valley Wine Show - Wine Service Guild Trophy for Chardonnay
Tao's is a private dining haven for a unique dining experience.  Tao’s is one-of-a-kind modern Japanese concept that offers a multi-course selective set menu. The restaurant is fully licensed and BYO wine only.
The food is a careful combination of Eastern and Western fare that offers an exciting blend of traditional and contemporary flavors.  Tao’s romantic ambience is the perfect setting for special occasions, wedding receptions or corporate functions.  Located in Bulleen just off the Eastern Freeway, with ample parking space.
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM
WATCH THE TAO's VIDEO

MARCH 2010
Tuesday 2nd March - Taste N Talk - Peter Clingleffer - Research Scientist
CSIRO Merbein Laboratory (Near Mildura)
St Scholastica's School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
Peter Clingleffer is a Research Scientist at the CSIRO Merbein laboratory, in the heartland of Australian grape and citrus production, which delivers high quality science relevant to industry. He is the CSIRO Leader of the breeding team.
Peter will talk about his work as a Research Scientist in relation to the wine industry, and will bring samples of different wine varieties developed by his team for us to taste.
Background info from the CSIRO website:
The researchers use conventional and gene technology approaches including evaluation of transgenics to understand and manipulate the way plant genes interact with the environment. New low to medium vigour rootstocks have been released to industry and are being evaluated with a range of scion varieties in a range of regions. In particular there are two wine industry innovations:
1. Light mechanical pruning developed by CSIRO has contributed to Australia’s wine export performance by lowering costs while retaining and improving yield and quality.
2. The introduction and evaluation of nematode-tolerant rootstocks has been a further advantage.
Estimates of the value of these two wine industry innovations alone exceed A$150 million per annum.
CSIRO wine grape varieties Tarrango, Tyrian and Cienna have achieved success as bottled varietal wines. Tyrian is also used in blends.
CSIRO research within the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Viticulture includes:
- grapevine physiology
- salt tolerance
- water use efficiency.
This work has contributed to the development of VineLOGIC, an advanced software package for use in viticultural education and training.

Sunday 21st March - Coach Tour - Warragul Region
Visiting:
Gypsy Creek Winery - Labertouche
Brandy Creek Wines - Drouin East
Wild Dog Winery - Warragul
Further details available soon.

FEBRUARY 2010
Sunday 7th February - BOY - Breakfast On Yarra
This will be our first function for 2009. The annual ‘ Breakfast on the Yarra’ has become a tradition with the Guild for over 30 years.  Always our most popular function with members and guests enjoying a fully cooked breakfast on the banks of the Yarra, with plenty of shade, good food, enjoyable wines and companionship.
It is not a safe function for little children, with the river and busy road so close, so organise your baby sitter, pack up the umbrellas, tables, chairs, sun hats, and come along to enjoy a great morning on the banks of the Yarra River. Bring as many Guests as you like.
Catered by the committee and volunteers, breakfast is BBQ sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, all served with fresh buttered bread rolls, followed by pancakes jam cream and fresh fruit.
Plenty of hot tea and coffee will be available throughout the morning. A selection of bubbly, reds and whites from the Guild Cellar. Glasses are supplied.
Members: $20 each. Guests & Non-Members $30 each.
Function Notice & Booking Form

 

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