Insidersguide web

Winter 2014

Get the inside scoop on the

Riverina

Insider’s Guide

2 | WINTER 2014 www.insidetheriverina.com.au

Winter in the Riverina is an abundance of lush green paddocks filled with winter cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats and canola.

Sun-kissed oranges, lemons and mandarins decorate trees, while neat and trim vineyards,

fruit and nut orchards prepare for hibernation.

www.insidetheriverina.com.au WINTER 2014 | 3

The Season’s StoriesWinter 2014

Provedores 4Meet the Maker 8

Experiences 13Events 14

‘Hunter-gatherers’ seek fresh produce, explore the region’s Farmers Markets, and taste seasonal delights in warm, friendly eateries.

Fattening lambs and calves frolic in pastures while flocks of

migrating birds fly overhead.


Café Shazaray

Known for fuelling the Riverina’s major coffee addicts, Café Shazaray is an excellent little gem, serving excellent coffee. Visitors to Café Shazaray will be surprised by its delightful chic nature.

You don’t have to be a poet to work out where the name ‘Shazaray’ comes from. Just pop into Café Shazaray and you will meet owners Sharon and Ray Buchanan (Shaza & Ray!). A delightful local couple, Ray joined Sharon – who has 20 years’ experience in hospitality – in the Café when she bought it two and half years ago.

Boasting a gorgeous back deck, enjoy an alfresco style breakfast to rival any in the city or choose from their huge variety of toasted focaccias, wraps, bagels, and light meals throughout the day.

Café Shazaray prides itself on its homemade food and slices. Sharon mixes up her homemade slices on a regular basis, so you may just have to come back more than once.

24 East St. Narrandera Phone 02 6959 1411

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Saturday: 8.30am-3pm Sunday: 9am-3pm

“.cosy ambience with. .country hospitality.

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The Roastery

Relatively new to Griffith’s local cuisine scene, already known for its diverse range of quality good food, wine and thriving Italian influence, comes something heavenly.

Inviting from the moment you step through the front door, The Roastery provides a place for people to come together and share fine foods with family and friends. But the coffee is what it is really all about.

In 2013 when The Roastery first opened its doors, General Manager, Scott Rudkin, created Peddling Beans. Peddling Beans was the figurehead brand behind this new Griffith Café, allowing Scott to incorporate his love for coffee and his interest in the intrinsic ethics of supply.

Roasting his coffee fresh on the premises, Scott is passionate about increasing awareness of the ethical supply of coffee, and as a result, The Roastery only sources ethically compliant and morally responsible coffee.

The café itself has an eclectic vibe, with retro paraphernalia and a groovy tapas and wine offering on Saturday and Sunday nights.

A place to meet, chill out, relax and re-energise. Visit for a truly memorable experience.

232 Banna Ave. Griffith Phone 02 6962 5560

Monday-Friday: 7am-5pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-3pm

“.Café. Coffee Shop.. .Tapas Bar. Restaurant..

provedores


Deni Bakery

There is nothing better than stumbling across a great bakery when travelling though the countryside. The warmth of the shop and the fresh smell of bread, cakes and pies can tantalise many a traveller to pull over when they know they really should keep on driving to reach their destination.

What if the Bakery in your sights has won more awards than you can poke a breadstick at? Year after Year, the Deni Bakery’s pies just keep winning!

Your hosts David and Dani are proud of their award winning meat pies, making them only from high quality local meats. They make, bake and sell over 5000 pies, pasties and sausage rolls every week.

By popular demand, the Moroccan Lamb Pie keeps getting put back on the menu and the Lamb and Mint Pie is also one worth trying. But if you are not into your meat pies and have more of a sweet tooth, then you won’t be disappointed with scrumptious desserts, cakes, celebration cakes and fresh baked bread all served with a smile.

So next time you feel your tummy rumbling as you pass through Deniliquin, pull over and call in to see why the Deni Bakery has been voted Deniliquin’s Most Popular Business.

69 Davidson St. Deniliquin Phone 03 5881 2278

Monday-Friday: 7am-5pm Saturday: 7am-3:30pm Sunday: 9am-3pm

“.award winning pies and pastries.prov

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Cache Store of Food

Imagine a friendly atmosphere and superb service with fresh, local produce cooked with love... and you have the Cache experience.

Owner, Renée Chambeyron hit the hospitality scene in the early nineties, starting her professional life as an apprentice chef in Sydney. From running small cafes and local cuisine hot spots, to feeding foodie celebrities, she now runs Wagga Wagga’s worst kept secret!

Don’t worry if they look pretty packed when you drop by, they will always find room for you. Just as they will find something for you if you have allergies or intolerances.

Cache thrives on providing customers with allergies, a vibrant dining experience. Often the least cared for meal, the special dietary requirement meal can be bland and uninspiring. Not at Cache. Renee and her team strive to constantly source new products and recipes to tantalise your tastebuds. If you need allergy-friendly food you’ll find it at Cache, just speak to their understanding crew.

Their latest menus use the best seasonal produce in the region, their baristas are fully trained and their staff, knowledgeable and dedicated. So next time you are in Wagga Wagga, why not get fresh with Cache?

214-220 Baylis St. Wagga Wagga Phone 02 6921 2916 www.cachestoreoffood.com.au

Monday-Tuesday: 8am-4:30pm Wednesday-Friday: 8am-5pm Saturday: 8:30am-4pm Sunday: 8:30am-3:30pm

“.vibrant, fresh flavours.

provedores


Getting to the heart of wine country

If you are a lover of wine, then a visit to the Riverina is a must for your ‘to do’ list. Inside the Riverina you will experience the rich heritage that has built the local wine industry. Spanning generations, most growers and provedores are the sons and daughters or grandsons and granddaughters of European migrants.

Unknown to many visitors, the Riverina is the largest wine producing area in NSW and one of the largest in Australia with one in every four glasses of Australia’s wine coming from the region. Up to 400,000 tonnes of wine grapes are processed during harvest each year, which produces more than 30 million cases of wine. Around one half of this production is exported.

Riverina growers are leading the way in new product development in Australia. Growers in the region are currently trialling new varieties not previously grown in the area. Italian varieties Nero D’Avola, Fiano, Montepulciano and Greek variety Aglianico make up some of the new tastes on offer. These new varieties will also be blended with traditional varieties such as Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon to craft new, unique blends.

Centred in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of Griffith and Leeton, the Riverina wine industry is made up of some 400 grape growing enterprises, spanning more than 22,000 hectares with an international reputation for sustainable, best practice farming methods.

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Bruno Altin’s grandfather migrated to Australia in 1950 from Northern Italy, purchasing 33 hectares of land on the outskirts of Griffith NSW.

Bruno’s father and grandfather cleared the land with the intention of building a market garden. Bruno explains: “In the early days,

it would be fair to say we had a fruit salad farm. My family was growing cherries, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, table grapes and more.

“They decided to try their hand at wine grapes, which they did with great success. The conditions are ideal for winegrapes in the Riverina and there was a growing demand at the time for more supply. My family saw an opportunity to invest in winegrapes and we’ve never looked back.”

The Altin’s winegrape enterprise now spans 130 hectares and is one of the largest family-operated vineyards in the Riverina. Bruno explains that it is the advances in farming technology that has allowed growers to farm on a larger scale.

“My father was one of the first growers to purchase a grape harvester in the 1970s – a Chisholm Ryder, which was imported from the U.S. When we first started growing winegrapes, the harvest was done by hand. We have gone from hand picking around eight tonnes per day to easily 200 tonnes in a day with the harvester.”

Winegrapes grown on the Altin’s farms are supplied to McWilliams Wines – the oldest winery in the region. On average, the Altins will produce between 1,500 and 2,000 tonnes per season.

Meet third generation Winegrape Grower

Bruno Altin

.Bruno’s favourite drop is a merlot. however he tells us that he would.

rather drink it than grow it: “Merlot is. a temperamental variety. It’s got a nice. f lavour, just a bit difficult to manage.”.

meet the m

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Knights Meats and Deli

For the travelling foodies, a visit to Knights Meats & Deli is where you’ll get a taste of the region’s best produce.

Established in 1974, James and Deanna McNaughton purchased Knights Meats & Deli in 2009 and the dynamic duo have kept the winning formula that has made this place a local icon – quality produce, sourced locally.

With an emphasis on local gourmet product, more than 30 suppliers are located within a 100 mile radius of the store. Jams, jerky, oils, coffee beans, liquorice, chutneys, pasta sauces and condiments are just a few of the local products on offer to delight your palate.

Coupled with a gourmet deli and butcher, Knights has an impressive spread of local and international cheeses, beef that’s dry aged in store, along with house smoked bacon and hams and gourmet ready-to-go meals.

In addition to serving up sweet and savoury treats, the team at Knights operate a series of classes including Cheese & Wine Appreciation; cheese making classes; and Spanish Cheese and Wine Matching.

187 Fitzmaurice St. Wagga Wagga Phone 02 6921 3725 www.knightsmeats.com.au

Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm (until 7pm on Thursday) Saturday: 8am-4pm

(You can also find the Knights team at the Wagga Wagga ‘Eat Local Thursday’ markets every Thursday from 2:30pm)

“.find foods with a local flavour.

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Dissegna Premium Family Produce and Farm Tours

Award-winning cold pressed olive oil, Three Fruit Marmalade and Whole Prunes in Port are just a few of the fine organic products by Riverina provedores – the Dissenga Family.

The Dissenga family operates 500 hectares of farming land nearby Griffith. Their enterprise is diverse, growing rice, olives and stone fruit in addition to producing and marketing the end product.

Their philosophy is simple ‘Everything we sell we grow.’ Their gourmet product range is based on seasonal availability ensuring produce is at its best.

The Dissenga’s run farm tours throughout the year taking visitors on a journey from paddock to plate. Farm tours are tailored to the season to ensure you see activity no matter what time of year, be it harvest, pruning or planting.

Contact Griffith Visitor Information Centre Phone 1800 681 141 www.dissegna.com.au

Bookings are essential. Farm tours are 90 minutes and suitable for all ages.

“.a continuing family tradition.

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Sticky Fingers Candy Shop

In 2011, Kathy McFarlane decided to make a ‘tree change’ to be closer to family; she packed up her life in Mackay and headed south to Jerilderie to open the Sticky Fingers Candy Shop.

With a sweet spot for a sweet treat, Kathy had a vision to open a lolly shop that would transform patrons to a bygone era, determined to stock sweets and treats that remind us of our childhood.

At Sticky Fingers you’ll find all of the old fashion favourites including aniseed balls, Dutch licorice, sherbets, rock candy, and Choo Choo Bars along with speciality dark chocolates and the famous Melba’s Inch Licorice Block.

Housed in a heritage listed building, the shop once served as a printery and later a barber shop. The story behind the building wouldn’t be complete without a Ned Kelly connection but you’ll have to ask Kathy about that one.

63 Jerilderie St. Jerilderie Phone 0448 878 597

Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 9am-1pm

“.the sweet shot in Ned Kelly country.

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experiences

Jumptree Studios

Helene Mortlock returned to her home town of Jerilderie to enjoy a slower pace of life after spending 21 years in Melbourne and abroad. Armed with study in Architecture, Helene specialises in graphite illustrations of buildings and houses.

Upon arriving in Jerilderie, the family resided in temporary tent accommodation on a vproperty by the Billabong Creek. And whilst the setting was serene, needless to say, it was difficult for Helene to complete her commissioned artworks without a dedicated studio space.

Helene decided to rent a building in town, now home to Jumptree Studios. Initially, it was not Helene’s intention to use her studio as a public space, however she soon opened the doors to the locals which has now become a creative community space for residents and visitors alike.

At Jumptree Studios you’ll find everything from scented candles, to free range eggs, gift cards, crochet rugs, jewellery and music – all made by Jerilderie devotees. Jumptree also stocks books by renowned writer (and ex-Jerilderie resident) Rosalie Ham.

40 Jerilderie St. Jerilderie Phone 0409 029 564

No fixed opening hours - when the sign is out, Helene is in (usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

“.‘Brunswick Street’ of the bush.


We invite you to our table to feast and enjoy the region’s produce amongst the seasonal landscape with our Paddock to Plate events, 100-mile Feasts, food and wine trails, cooking classes, celebrity chefs, citrus sculptures, delightful alfresco dining and family events for everyone to enjoy.

We also welcome three high profile celebrities to share with us their expertise in food, cooking and produce:

Christine Mansfield - a highly regarded Australian chef, author, food and travel writer, food manufacturer, presenter, teacher and gastronomic traveller.

Costa Georgiadis - Costa’s gregarious personality is well-known as host of ABC Gardening Australia and Ambassador for the EAT LOCAL THURSDAY movement in Wagga.

Tino Carnevale - a presenter of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia program with a passion for teaching gardening skills, a love of home grown veges, chook yards and vibrant vege patches. His horticulture and landscape design talents bring him to Griffith for the Festival of Gardens and Taste Riverina Festival this October.

We’ll get up to our elbows in classes and demonstrations with these highly acclaimed ambassadors of good food and local provenance.

Programs will be available from your nearest Visitor Information Centre in September.

www.tasteriverina.com.au

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Taste Riverina Festival

“.a menu of events throughout October across the region


Ardlethan German Beer and Wine Festival

Friday 11- Saturday 12 JulyA feature of the three-week Coolamon

Winterfest, enjoy a German dinner, folk dancing, a real Oompa band.

Air Mail Centenary Re-enactment Flight

Sunday 13 July, Wagga WaggaA re-enactment of Australia’s first air-mail

and air-freight service from Melbourne to Sydney in July 1914. The Australian

Jabiru aircraft will land in Wagga before continuing to Sydney.

Riverina Vintage Machinery Rally

Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 August, LeetonTwo days of events dedicated to

preserving our region’s mechanical heritage includes a Tractor Trek, vintage Tractor Pull and displays

at the Leeton Race Course.

Narrandera Camellia ShowFriday 15 August

Celebrating 40 years in 2014, with up to 1,000 of the best camellia blooms

of the region at the Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

National Cavy ShowSaturday 16 August, Narrandera

The National Cavy Show is the premier event on the cavy (guinea pig) breeder calendar. Special pet classes

for local exhibitors will be held on the day at Narrandera Basketball Stadium.

Festa delle Salsicce (Festival of the Sausage)

Sunday 24 August, GriffithExperience the jovial atmosphere where

locals and visitors join together to eat, drink, enjoy traditional folk music over a long lunch

to celebrate the end of the salami making season. Griffith Pioneer Park, Italian Museum. Prior bookings essential.

Leeton EisteddfodTuesday 29 July - Sunday 24 August

Recognised as one of the most outstanding cultural events in western

NSW, this event is a showcase of talent in music, ballet, speech and drama, literary, highland and line dancing in

the art deco Roxy Theatre.

events

Events


Visit riverinatourism.com.au

for more inspiration

Winter edition sponsored by:

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