Staycation Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley
Balgownie Estate is an impressive resort destination, featuring Balgownie Suites, new Cellar Door, Restaurant 1309 and Day Spa. We were invited to experience the luxury accomodation and dining in the new restaurant. If you're looking for a staycation in the Yarra Valley, or even in Victoria, this is a great option!
First impressions were of a premium world class offering with impressive luxury accomodation in the suites with spa and balcony, as well as well-appointed rooms with sweeping views.
The Cellar Door experience is a must-do activity, perched on high stools at the bar, with engaging John taking us through a selection of Balgownie premium estate wines. These wines are top notch, with Samantha saying Chardonnay was one of the best she's ever had.
A spa before dinner was the name of the game, and you can enjoy views of Yarra Valley while in the spa.
Whether dining indoors or outside on the newly refurbished deck, brand-new Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie offers exceptional food and fresh seasonal local produce. We were highly impressed by the effort put into each dish and the overall deliciousness of the meal.
Our night began with exceptional cocktails.
A standout was the Four Pillars gin cured Buxton trout, citrus gel, smoked trout mousse, pickled shallot, mountain pepper aioli, pomegranate and crispy wild rice. This dish sang on the palate!
Cured beetroot, cumin ‘mayo', avocado mousse, radish shallots, golden beet crisps, toasted buckwheat was a revelation. By now I was raving about the quality of ingredients, the way the ingredients worked together, and also the presentation and the quality of the sauces/mayos etc.
Service is 1309 was impeccable and engaging. we chose the Balgownie Estate Shiraz, such an elegant wine.
Mains also hit the high notes. The 200g grilled sirloin, celeriac puree, polenta & herb Pont Neuf black garlic Brussels, grilled baby leek, and blistered tomatoes was cooked to perfection.
Grilled Humpty Doo barramundi, creamed corn, silver beet, roast cashews, crisp bacon, bean sprout salad, soy and ginger glaze was anotther showstopper, with welcome amounts of crunch.
This was excellent fine dining in Yarra Valley!
Black garlic roasted kipfler potatoes and Sauteed broccolini and green beans with toasted almonds, were perfect sides.
Desserts were also a hit including Upside down rhubarb cake, cinnamon crumble, dark chocolate, sorbet raspberry, rhubarb crisp, as well as Whipped chocolate, salted caramel and hazelnut dome crystalised chocolate, and cocoa nibs. So decadent!
This 30-hectare vineyard, accommodation, restaurant, cellar door and spa property is located only an hour drive from Melbourne CBD or Tullamarine Airport, and 5-minutes from Yarra Glen township.
Breakfast was also first class with healthy options and a hot buffet.
Balgownie Estate is one of the largest award-winning hotels in the region featuring 70 accommodation rooms and suites.
Accomodation features intimate queen rooms and king garden terrace rooms, classic one and two-bedroom spa suites with private balconies, luxurious refurbished deluxe spa suites, and a fully self-contained Directors Suite.
And guests can enjoy a decadent drink in our new wine and cocktail bar.