News Cannibal Creek: A Taste of the Country

You’re only an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne, but on the gently curving, tree-lined track out to Cannibal Creek Vineyard, the hustle and bustle has well and truly given way to relaxed country vibes.

This boutique, single estate vineyard produces award-winning, delicate wines, best enjoyed with a meal from their fine dining restaurant.

At the cellar door you can choose to sample eight wines in a tasting or step it up to a tutored wine experience with a tasting platter. Their sparkling blanc de blancs is a solid crowd favourite, as is their reliably elegant pinot noir.

Just as their wines are inspired by France’s most famous wine regions, Bordeaux and Burgundy, so too is their menu French-leaning. Salmon gravlax cured in beetroot and gin, braised ox cheek with parsnip puree and chocolate coffee mousse are among the favourite dishes in the restaurant. While the menu has a French tilt, the produce is proudly local, primarily sourced from Gippsland producers and supplemented by an abundant kitchen garden and orchard.

In keeping with the rural setting, the Cannibal Creek restaurant has been deliberately designed to reflect the original corrugated iron barn. This turn-of-the-century shed was where owners Pat and Kirsten Hardiker did everything in the beginning - from winemaking through to tastings.

Inside the architect-designed new build, rammed hemp and timber walls bring warmth to the restaurant, complemented by a flickering wood heater running throughout the winter months. Huge glass windows overlook lush lawns and onto the bushland beyond, and there’s a deck where you can soak up the sounds of surrounding birdlife.

From the time Pat and Kirsten planted out their vines over 20 years ago, their focus has been on continuous improvement in the sustainability of the vineyard. They put a spotlight on soil health and minimum interventionist winemaking, preferencing traditional methods and French Oak barrelling.

Supporting local producers is at the heart of Pat and Kirsten’s venture. They share their favourite products for you to take home at their in-restaurant store and are always ready to recommend your next must-visit food experience.