Millbrook Winery

LOCATION
In Jarrahdale – under an hour’s drive south east of Perth.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
After a long, hot summer, nothing soothes the soul like a drive out of the city to discover the serenity of Jarrahdale, just under an hour’s drive from Perth. Famous for its jarrah forests and timber milling history, the town is postcard-picturesque. At Chestnut Farm, nestled among virgin jarrah forests with breathtaking views of the rolling hills below and beyond, you’ll find Millbrook Winery. Dating back to 1860, the winery now incorporates not only fine food and wines, but also an olive grove, marron and trout dams and a spectacular lake, which form the main view from the restaurant. Take a seat on the lakeside deck for a real Millbrook experience and prepare to be impressed by modern Australian cuisine created by internationally trained chefs.

Making the most of local, fresh produce – incorporating the marron and fruit from Chestnut Farm – you can expect to taste dishes you may be hard pressed to find in the city. Start with a grilled brochette of Western Australian prawns and panzanella salad, or the caramelised tomato and red onion with rocket salad, and your tastebuds will get a pretty good idea of what to expect for mains at Millbrook Winery. After entrees, you’ll no doubt be suitably settled into your chair on the deck overlooking the serene waters of the lake and ready to tackle your mains, which tend to evoke many an “ooh” and “ah” from recipients. Dukkah-encrusted pork fillet with sweet potato tart and the butternut gnocchi with sage butter and goat’s curd are two dishes that may have you subconsciously uttering the aforementioned sounds. And what better way to wrap up a sumptuously splendid experience like this than with a cheese plate designed to send you straight to culinary heaven. That is if you aren’t already there by now.

Karen Bilsby