Words by Tehya Nicholas Images supplied
What makes a fantastic winery? Is it what’s inside the glass – a crisp drop of Chardonnay or zesty pour of Pinot Noir? Is it about the environment – a warm interior design, a room with a view? Or does it come down to the people – knowledgeable staff with a healthy dose of passion?
For Ivy Huang and Rebeka Morgan, the co-founders of Carrajung Estate, it’s everything. Both women have left no stone unturned in their mission to create a world-class winery and accommodation offering.
Here, cocooned in the forests of the Strzelecki Ranges, guests can leave the bustle behind and escape to a space of simple pleasures.
The 40-hectare property, formerly the home of Toms Cap Winery, has been entirely renovated and repurposed under one simple guideline: make it feel like home. Huang and Morgan, a builder and founder of BuildHer Collective, alongside John Morgan have remodelled the vineyard restaurant, cellar door and their two-bedroom cottage accommodation called The Nest.
Each space is cosy, intimate and uncompromising in quality. In the vineyard restaurant, guests are invited into a rustic, open setting overlooking the hills dotted with farm animals (the alpacas, pigs, chickens and goats can all be patted, too.)
And the beauty continues on the plate. Fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are the heroes, and in the experienced hands of Head Chef Pat Haney, make a sumptuous feast – for the eyes and stomach.
Chef Haney brings over 20 years of industry experience at some of Australia’s top restaurants to Carrajung Estate. He says his philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the ingredients he uses, and he is a firm believer in sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.
“With an emphasis on seasonality and sustainability, our dishes feature fresh ingredients sourced directly from nearby farms that celebrate the natural beauty and culinary richness of Gippsland. Through our food, we want to share these growers’ stories,” Huang explains.
Love wine-pairing? The first-ever release of Carrajung Estate’s wines are now rolling out. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are all on rotation. These drops are the fruits of two years of collaborative vine management between Carrajung Estate co-founder Adrian Critchlow, Toms Cap founder Graham Morris, and the award-winning Gippsland winemaker of Inverloch’s Dirty Three Wine, Marcus Satchell.
And when the day is done, you can curl up by the traditional open fireplace at The Nest, or soak in the outdoor bath. The cottage is available to book via their website – and if it’s booked, don’t stress. Renovations of four new cottages are underway and will be ready by next summer.
From the carefully selected grapes to the state-of-the-art equipment, every detail in this new venue has been meticulously planned. The team behind Carrajung Estate have created a truly special Gippsland experience. So good, in fact, it feels like home.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Carrajung Estate
WHERE: 322 Lays Rd, Willung South
WHEN: Fri-Sun 11am – 2.30pm & Dinner Thurs-Sat 5.30pm – 8.30pm
MORE INFO: Carrajung Estate
We wish to acknowledge the Gunaikurnai people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
