Taste

If you are in the mood for something a little indulgent then get yourself along to the Inverleigh Bakehouse. This 1868 Homestead converted into a retail bakery offers indoor and outdoor seating with a cottage style garden at rear and alfresco seating in front. Using traditional home baking methods, the Bakehouse offers a variety of products from artisan breads, delicious cakes, slices, pastries and salads to European delights such as potato bread and soda bread rarely seen here in Australia. The Bakehouse also serves organic coffee arguably the best in the region and has a café style menu available for lunch as well as breakfast on weekends. Whatever the day of the week do yourself a favour and visit the Inverleigh Bakehouse.

Address: 5 High Street, Inverleigh 3321 VIC 
Phone: 0352651555 
Email: [email protected] 

The Inverleigh Hotel is a hidden country gem in the heart of Inverleigh – just 20 minutes from Geelong. The Hotel was built in 1860s and is situated opposite the park near the bridge. It is an ideal place to have some food and refreshment on your visit to Golden Plains.

Address: 1 High Street, Inverleigh 3321
Phone: (03) 5265 1220
Website: http://www.inverleighhotel.com.au

Sonny Cafe provides the perfect destination for that weekend drive to the country. Tapping into a bounty of local produces Sonny's friendly team deliver a fresh vibrant menu teamed with specialty small batch coffee. Sonny is is open 8:00am to 4:00pm Wednesday to Friday and 9:00am to 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 15 High Street, Inverleigh 3321 VIC 
Phone: 03 5265 1553 
Email: [email protected]

Spence Wines aims to make wine of the highest possible quality. Spence Wines exclusively use grapes grown in their vineyard, to ensure the best quality grapes are used. The resulting wines heavily reflect the site they are grown on. They are made in small quantities, have limited availability and are amongst the best from the region. To ensure the wines are properly developed, they are released with some bottle age and are suited to cellaring.

Address: 760 Burnside Road, Murgheboluc 3218 VIC 
Phone: 03 5265 1181 
Website: https://www.spencewines.com/ 
Email: [email protected] 

Grown in the rich limestone soils and cool climes of the Moorabool Valley, they have created a wine for sharing life’s best moments, both big and small. Bring your family and friends, pull up a chair, raise a glass and let’s make memories. Welcome to the Austin’s family. Austin’s grows and produces single vineyard, premium wines, and is owned and operated by second-generation family members, Scott and Belinda Austin. Harnessing 30 years of Austin’s winemaking history, they are driven to reshape the ‘typical’ Australian fine wine occasion into a vibrant, exploratory and welcoming experience. In the last five years, the business has seen significant business growth, driven by 6Ft6 nationally, and a boutique on-premise focus for its core Austin’s brand. Their philosophy is, and always will be, to create quality wine to be enjoyed with family and friends in an authentic, welcoming and enriching experience, through both their special occasion wine brand, Austin’s or their mid-tier range, 6Ft6. Visit the property through the event experiences, or taste the wines and be welcomed into the family.

Address: 870 Steiglitz Road, Sutherlands Creek 3331 VIC 
Phone: 03 5281 1799
Website: https://austinswines.com.au/ 
Email: [email protected] 

Situated in the historic Bannockburn Shire Hall which was built in 1876, Blend’d Smoothie Bar is situated in the middle of Bannockburn’s retail district. Blend’d offers healthy smoothies in a fun, friendly environment.

Address: 12 High Street, Bannockburn 3331

Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro has a cellar door and bistro set on the beautiful Moorabool Valley just off the Midland Highway half an hour north of Geelong, 35 minutes from Ballarat. Their speciality wines include Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The food, lovingly cooked by the chef and owner Sue and her team include a wonderful array of wood-fired pizzas, antipasto tasting plates, salt and pepper calamari, an ever-changing seasonal menu, and much more. Clyde Park is a James Halliday five star red winery.

Address: 2490 Midland Highway, Bannockburn 3331 VIC 
Phone: 0352817274 
Website: https://clydepark.com.au
Email: [email protected]

Le Due Sorelle Cafe is located at Shop 2/38 High St. It is rated 3.2 by 14 Zomato users. Serves Coffee and Tea, European, Italian. The average cost for 2 mains and 2 beverages here is A$20 approximately. Listing provided in partnership with Zomato

Address: Shop 2/38 High St, Bannockburn VIC 3331

Established in 1996, Lethbridge produces savoury wines with intensity and finesse. Sit down at the tasting table inside the strawbale winery and sample wines alongside alter ego Between Five Bells. Originally planted to vineyard in the early 1800s, the site is perfect for vineyards. Current owners Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis searched the Geelong region taking soil samples before agreeing on the site. Lethbridge Wines is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed tasting - often with the winemaker - allowing you to learn more about wine and the Geelong region.

Address: 74 Burrows Road, Lethbridge 3332 VIC 
Phone: 03 5281 7279 
Website: https://www.lethbridgewines.com/
Email: [email protected] 

Deep in the Valley perched on the edge of the Moorabool River is a shepherd's cottage built in 1856. This historic building is now home to Moorabool Ridge's tasting room. Taste the award winning cool climate red and white wines. The cottage is full of the delights of the vineyard, olive grove and farm. Shelves are stacked with gourmet jams, pickles, relishes and olive oil, all produced on the farm. Fine wine, cheese platters and focaccias' can be enjoyed in the wonderful succulent garden whilst watching the Moorabool River slowly slide by or order beautiful freshly baked cakes and coffee from the shade of the verandah. A place of peace and tranquillity, Moorabool Ridge is truly a special place to visit, stay for lunch, have a function (birthday or other celebration) or have a wedding (service or reception).

Address: 37 Spiller Road, Lethbridge 3332 VIC 
Phone: 03 5281 7224
Website: https://winegeelong.com.au/winery/moorabool-ridge/
Email: [email protected]

The Pettavel Australia boasts historical roots back to 1842. From hosting Prince Duke of Edinburgh in 1867 to entertaining five Prime Ministers in recent years, Pettavel as an established brand engraves all historical marks with these important events. As one one of main estate wine producers located around Melbourne, Pettavel owns Yarra Glen Meroo Vineyard, Geelong Strathmore and a vineyard in the Staughton Valley. Pettavel has four brands which include Reserve, Premium, Estate, and Meroo. Pettavel also supplies estate grapes and bulk wines. The Geelong winery Estate of 129 hectares is approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, 25 kilometres southwest to the Melbourne Avalon airport and close to the amenity of The City of Geelong. The property is located within the well-recognised wine region in the Moorabool Valley of Geelong with a cool climate. The Moorabool Valley’s Mediterranean climate makes great contribution to the growth of interesting and unique grape varieties. The Vineyard includes Strathmore vineyards, French vineyard, Riverbank, Table grape area and a nursery. Visitors will experience viticulture of both old model in French Vineyard and the new model of Strathmore Vineyard where every step of the operation is fully automated.  

Address: 159 Muhlebach Road, Sutherlands Creek 3331 VIC 
Phone: 0425 806 669 
Website: http://pettavel.net 
Email: [email protected] 

The Rowsley Fault is a geological fault formed about one million years ago that has layered these vineyards with gravels and clay over limestone. Located in the Moorabool Valley region, Rowsley Fault Vineyards have been able to focus on small plot viticulture and can offer an amazing range of varieties. Whilst they specialise in Pinot Noir, they also have an exciting range of exotic European varieties including Pinot Gris, Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Zinfandel, Gamay, Viognier and Graciano. Rowsley Fault Vineyards' objective is to offer small volume production of these exciting varieties to a discerning wine drinker looking for new palate experiences.

Address: 131 Lumbs Road, Sutherlands Creek 3331 VIC 
Phone: 0352811811 
Website: www.rowsleyfaultwines.com 
Email: [email protected] 

Spence Wines aims to make wine of the highest possible quality. Spence Wines exclusively use grapes grown in their vineyard, to ensure the best quality grapes are used. The resulting wines heavily reflect the site they are grown on. They are made in small quantities, have limited availability and are amongst the best from the region. To ensure the wines are properly developed, they are released with some bottle age and are suited to cellaring.

Address: 760 Burnside Road, Murgheboluc 3218 VIC 
Phone: 03 5265 1181 
Website: https://www.spencewines.com/ 
Email: [email protected] 

Located on site at Avalon Nursery. With their team, they had a vision to not only create a diverse and thriving plant nursery but to also create a community environment, a space for the entire community to enjoy. A large part of this plan came to fruition with the opening of ‘In the Sticks’ Café in early 2020 at Haddon. The café, as well as the two acres of landscaped gardens with winding paths, picnic tables, large grassed area and a rotunda, create a community space where everyone can gather.

Website: 41 Kopkes Road, Haddon 3351 VIC 
Phone: 0413049518 
Email: [email protected] 

Situated in Smythesdale, on the Glenelg Highway, tucked away behind 42 On Brooke, next door to the Supermarket is Thru the Gate Café. We offer simple homestyle fare including our famous Sausage Rolls and Devonshire Teas. Our 'Mopoke' espresso beans are roasted locally in the small village of Dereel, we try to keep it local where possible, sourcing our ingredients from local producers. The menu changes with the seasons - fresh salads in the Summer & warming soups in the Winter, there is always something Gluten Free and we can cater for other dietary requirements with prior notice. Open 10am - 4pm Thursday - Monday

Address: Rear 42 Brooke Street, Smythesdale 
Phone: 0490 145 364 
Email: [email protected]