Hi, my name is Zalan and I’m the Cellar Door Coordinator here at S&K. My fiancée Sarah and moved to the region around 3 years ago from the hustle and bustle of inner-north Melbourne.
Up here in Rutherglen and surrounds you will find lots of wide open spaces, beautiful countryside, friendly locals and a slower pace of life. We’re blessed to be a bit of a foodie destination too with some cosy cellar doors and a wide range of tasty tucker to delight your tastebuds. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a few nights, read on for some tips and insider knowledge!
Mighty Murray
After a hard day at the cellar door chatting to friendly visitors, selling our delicious wines (and occasionally sampling them too), a peaceful walk by the Murray River with my adventurous 2yo Jack Russell Josie really grounds me – there is something soothing about watching the water swirl past the timeless gum trees. Look up and you may see some incredible bird life including the Yellow Rosella and Forest Kingfisher. My favourite places are:
- Lake Moodemere, Rutherglen
- The Willows Reserve, Wahgunyah
- Memorial Park, Howlong
I’m a bit peckish…
My no 1. tip for a bite to eat is right here at Stanton & Killeen wines! We’ve partnered with local food whiz Kate Akrap who is the owner of Savoy Truffle and you can choose either a Regional Grazing Platter ($30 pp) or a more substantial Regional Lunch Platter ($45pp) – think smoked meats, Australian cheeses, dips and preserves. Pair with a bottle of delicious Arinto or Rose (available by glass as well), sit outside in the dappled sunlight and enjoy! Other recommended spots:
- grace. by milkin kitchen, Rutherglen
- Valentines Bakehouse, Rutherglen
- Caffeine Machine, Rutherglen
- The Other Place, Rutherglen
- Pickled Sisters, Rutherglen
- The River Fish & Chip Co, Wahgunyah
I’ve over-indulged in Food and Wine, need to exercise…
We’ve all been there, no judgement. If you’re staying in Rutherglen town, a leisurely walk up to the Rutherglen Wine Bottle is a must. A mesh top was added in 1969 from funds attained via the Rutherglen Wine Festival (now Winery Walkabout) so the town water tower resembles a wine bottle – pretty cool! Enjoy the views of the nearby mountains and countryside. Head back via Hunter Street for some rather cute and quaint cottages that have been converted to B&B’s.
Grab your bike and cycle the Rutherglen to Wahgunyah rail trail. This 8km one way trail also handily goes past a number of wineries and you can also like up to some river trails in the town of Wahgunyah. Need a bike? See the friendly team at Caffeine n Machine café as they hire out e-bikes.
Experience more at S&K...
This summer, why not go beyond the cellar door tasting experience and immerse yourself in the history, craft and atmosphere of our historic working winery.
At Stanton & Killeen we now offer several tours and experiences. Each experience provides an opportunity to further explore 146-years of S&K history, innovation, and excellence. Whether it's a walking tour through barrel alley, a masterclass in Iberian varieties or a chance to create your very own muscat blend. We've got something for all wine lovers to enjoy. Click here for more details and how to book.
Enjoy!
