LOCATIONIn the Swan Valley, just 20 minutes’ drive from the Perth CBD.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIASandalford Winery is situated in the Swan Valley, just 20 minutes’ drive from Perth city. Known for its popular concerts under the stars, lavish weddings and as one of the main attractions at the annual Spring in the Valley event, the winery is also home to a marvellous restaurant. As winner of the Gold Plate Award 2008 for Best Restaurant within a Winery, the Sandalford restaurant just keeps getting better. Executive chef Phil Thomas has done his hard yards in kitchens both around the world and locally, leaving his mark at Alto’s in Subiaco and Donovan’s on St Kilda beach, Melbourne.
Phil’s flair for making the most of fresh local produce at its seasonal best is obvious in entrees like the cherry tomato and red pepper gazpacho with swimmer crab, cucumber and creme fraiche and the venison tataki with sushi rice, pickled daikon, black sesame and sweet soy. Proving he has the innovation and experience to attempt dishes that would send most chefs running, Phil’s confidence in his cooking provides diners with meals to remember. The crispy-fried pork belly with seared scallops, bok choy, char sui sauce and a very interesting pineapple and chilli salsa is a great example. Phil tries to prepare in-house as many of his menu ingredients as he can, such as the dukkah and house-smoked salmon, and is also happy to cook vegetarian or gluten-free versions of certain meals. His desserts are also made on premise and feature local fruits like the summer pudding with white chocolate mousse and local strawberries. Now match all three courses with Sandalford wines – your waitperson can help you with this – and prepare to enjoy one of this country’s best winery dining experiences.
Karen Bilsby, December 2008