It was experience, not nepotism, which convinced David Ritchie to award his cousin Lucy Clemenger the design brief for Delatite Winery’s new cellar door and dining room.
‘Lucy is a very talented architect and she knew us, our wines and knew the area. She came up with this beautiful design, which fits really well into the landscape.’
It is a design that capitalises on the winery’s unique location and stunning views towards the Victorian Alps. The dining room has seating for 60 guests, and another 60 outside with a covered deck area suitable for all weathers – a requirement in a post-Covid world.
‘We’ve been growing our grapes bio-dynamically for 15-16 years. I’m very much one for regenerative farming. I know that’s a much abused word at the moment but for me it’s all about doing things sustainably in the winery. And the kitchen and our food offerings have to reflect that.’
So there’s no surprise that the seasonal menu puts Victorian produce front and centre. The current iteration offers charcuterie from Bendigo, trout from the Goulburn Valley, Milawa chicken and many more locally sourced options. It is a menu that offers plates ideal to share with a few friends over a couple of bottles of wine.
Plans are already afoot to expand the vegetable garden and orchard, grow the clutch of chooks from 18 to 100 and in time, construct a smokehouse onsite. A revitalisation program is also underway with new plantings of mostly Spanish and Portuguese varietals, allowing the winery to evolve with the challenges of climate change.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Delatite Winery
WHERE: 390 Pollards Rd, Mansfield
WHEN: Open 7 days 10am – 5pm
MORE INFO: Delatite Winery
We wish to acknowledge the Taungurong people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
