LOCATIONIn Capital wine country, Wamboin around 20 minutes drive from Canberra's CBD.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAWamboin winery, Shepherd’s Run, exudes all the zest and spark that a young winery should. Ambitious owner/chief winemaker Elke Davies is as enthused about bringing the community together to enjoy the fruits of her labour as she is about her impressive wine selection. Juggling many cards, Elke is energised by the numerous hats she wears and is proud to offer the local community something that can be savoured and enjoyed. And it certainly shows in her latest position as head chef of the Shepherd’s Run Cafe.
Focused around modern Australian-meets-Italian offerings, the menu combines affordable home-style cooking with the exciting range of Shepherd’s Run’s stellar wines, some highlights of which include a cheeky sparkling Shiraz (on reserve), a more subtle unwooded Chardonnay and a spicy Gewurztraminer. Substantial meals like pies, both savoury and sweet, as well as pizzas and pastas are all made from scratch on-site using the best local ingredients. Regular events are held at Shepherd’s Run and any occasion will do – even as simple as Friday night when week-weary customers are treated to dinner, dessert and coffee for $25. Highlights on the calendar also include grape stomping and live bands so there are plenty of excuses to get away from the big smoke and treat yourself to a little country comfort.
Nick Hadland, March 2010