Tourism Australia has developed the global 'Restaurant Australia' campaign in consultation with its state tourism partners and industry, including the Australian Capital Territory. Launched on Wednesday, 7 May, the $10 million campaign promotes Australia as the world's greatest restaurant.
Canberra certainly has a rich offering of exceptional food and wine experiences. There are few capital cities in the world that can boast being in easy reach of multiple boutique cool climate wineries within a 35-minute drive for their city centre.
The Canberra District wineries are small enough to have an intimate cellar door experience and meet the winemaker, yet large enough to find all the varieties of a premium wine growing region.
The region's 140 vineyards are home to more than 30 cellar doors that produce distinctive award winning cool climate wines. Sprinkled in all directions around Canberra, the wineries are ideal for visiting on a self drive journey taking you from Pialligo in the ACT to the neighbouring wine districts of Hall, Murrumbateman, Bungendore, Wamboin and Lake George.
Clonakilla winemaker, Tim Kirk, is considered a leader in Australia in the production of Shiraz Viognier. He is currently Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine's Australian Winemaker of the Year.
Kirk attributes the diverse styles of wines produced in the Canberra District to the differing soil types, altitudes, micro climates, grapes and people combining to produce a unique geography – something he calls liquid geography.
'We don't make very big, robust wines, we make very finely tuned, subtle and enduring wine.'
In Canberra, an early morning wander around the Capital Region Farmer's Market is the perfect way to indulge your inner foodie with a journey of discovery of the breadth of regional produce available in the Canberra region. You'll find everything from in season fruit and vegetables to meat, seafood, cheeses, nuts, baked goods, biodynamic wine and pre-made food. And what makes the experience special is talking direct to the producer, knowing what you are buying is produced with quality, freshness and low food miles in mind.
In her book titled It tastes better, Australian chef Kylie Kwong lists the Capital Region Farmers Market among the best farmers markets in the country, while Australian food, wine and travel journalist Christine Salins of www.foodwinetravel.com.au said: 'Having visited a lot of markets around the country, I can happily say that the one at Exhibition Park in Canberra is one of the best.'
After exploring Australia's capital, take a short drive to the picturesque rural setting of Poacher's Pantry, home to the award-winning Smokehouse Cafe and Wily Trout Vineyard located in a beautifully restored 1930s weatherboard farm cottage. You'll soon discover why Australia's leading restaurants and chefs use Poacher's Pantry smoked meats.
Sample smoked meat platters matched with the cafe's wine range or enjoy a sit down meal featuring kangaroo, lamb or duck prosciutto and chicken breasts while enjoying the rural scenery on this working farm.
To find out more about what Canberra has to offer, visit www.restaurant.australia.com
KEY FACTS
- The Canberra Wine Region's 140 vineyards are home to more than 30 cellar doors.
- Clonakilla winemaker, Tim Kirk, is currently Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine's Australian Winemaker of the Year.
- The Capital Region Farmer's Market is rated among the best farmers markets in the country by the likes of Australian chef Kylie Kwong.
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