Once upon a time, the humble town of Nagambie consisted of a lake, a couple of bakeries and a pub. Nowadays, the rural suburb about an hour and a half out of town is on the top of the list for anyone looking for a romantic weekend runaway that isn’t too far from the city center.
There are several reasons for that, like the spate of luxe accommodation popping up in the area, and of course the lakeside Nagambie brewery—but the crown jewel that simply can’t be overlooked is Mitchelton Estate, a winery and cellar door, hotel and fine-diner that sits at the intersection of opulence and bucolic charm.
Accommodation
There are several routes you can take here. The traditionalists would be remiss not to opt for the Mitchelton Hotel, with most rooms looking over either the sprawling vineyards or the Goulburn River, and all featuring a design by renowned architectural and interior design practice Hecker Guthrie. The rooms nod to the contemporary charm we’ve come to expect from a hotel stay while not forgetting a heavy influence from the region.
Those wanting to add a splash of intrigue and adventure to their weekend sojourn should take a look into Mitchelton Estate’s decked-out Airstream Hotel. Each with their own private deck and ensuite, the experience brings everything you’d want to an out-of-town getaway without forgetting those modern sensibilities you’d find in a luxe hotel, like high-grade linen, a spacious bed and a complimentary mini-bar. There is plenty to occupy yourself with on the property, but you’d be doing yourself—and your significant other—a disservice if you didn’t while away the afternoon on your private deck. Keep an eye out for the kangaroos and emus as you gaze across the vineyard at dusk.
Eat And (Definitely) Drink
The region’s unique climate means Mitchelton Estate isn’t restricted to just growing one type of grape. The heat that comes with Central Victoria coupled with the cool of the Goulburn River allows for vintages covering off Rieslings to Shiraz, many of them award-winning stalwarts of Victoria’s vino scene. Book in a tasting at the Cellar Door (ask for Gabrielle as your host) and sip your way through the all-stars. Otherwise, just jump straight to a bottle, or a case, of their signature Print Shiraz. Prefer something on a new age tip? Their sparkling Shiraz known as The Bend coming in at just $15 a bottle is as friendly on the palate as it is on the wallet.
Once you’ve clocked an hour on that private deck and made your way through a tasting, the next stop on the property is The Muse. Headed up by Exec Chef Daniel Hawkins, The Muse is best described as a contemporary take on farmhouse cuisine. The black Angus steaks—sirloin, eye fillet and ribeye—cooked over red wine oak are a must for the omnivorous, while the housemade burrata and Somerset Farm eggplant should be on the radar, too. Regardless of what’s on your plate, the menu has been inspired and sourced from the local Nagambie Lake district—a tip of the hat to their commitment to the region.
Things To Do
Outside of all that eating and drinking, there are plenty of ways to fill out your days; keep it simple and meander along the Goulburn for a while or take a dip in the hotel’s pool—the property is essentially a haven for leisure.
When at Mitchelton, it’s impossible not to spot the towering structure which overlooks the entirety of the grounds. It’s worth taking a trip up the elevator to the viewing point for the vistas alone, but what’s most spectacular is what lies in the basement. The Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art represents artists from over 15 different First Nations communities; it’s a number that’s rarely reached, but achieved by one of the founders, Adam Knight, who works directly with these communities to share their stories through these culturally significant works.
Ask nicely, and you might even get a look into their underground cellar. It's the largest of its kind in Australia and a true sight for the eyes.
For more bookings and more details, head on over to Mitchelton Estate.
Take some extra annual leave and check out our roadtrip through the Heathcote region here.
Image credit: Visit Vic