WANGARATTA

Where  have we been?

On such an open-ended trip, it's not always easy deciding where to go next. While often we may plan 1-2 nights ahead, it's not uncommon for us to decide the morning of, and this was one of those occasions. We knew we needed to head toward the NSW border, and when we came across the Prosecco Road in our research, we knew it was meant to be! Within a couple of hours after leaving Eildon, we were setting up again in a caravan park just north of Wangaratta, where we immersed ourselves in some local history, and some fine food and wine.

WANGARATTA

Built on the traditional lands of the Pangerang (Bangerang) people, the rural city of Wangaratta came into being in 1848 and was a major service centre during the Victorian gold rush. Historic buildings like the Post and Telegraph Office, the Free Library, hotels and churches help to maintain a colonial aspect to a now contemporary town. 

GLENROWAN

Ned Kelly is considered a villain by many, but around here, he is certainly a local legend. The entire town is marketed around the infamous bushranger, starting with the giant statue on the main street. While other centres around the region certainly play their part in piecing together the Kelly legend, the town of Glenrowan is significant because it is the site of the famous ’last stand’ and the bitter end for the Kelly gang. 

NED KELLY HERITAGE PRECINCT

The final siege is well documented and showcased in the dedicated Ned Kelly museum and Discovery Hub. However, we preferred to grab a town map and do the self-guided walk around the heritage precinct, which is centred around Glenrowan Station, where the Kelly Gang attempted to derail the police special train by removing sections of the rail line.

THE FINAL SIEGE

Following the map provided at the Discovery Hub, we were able to immerse ourselves in the series of events which led to Ned's capture. Starting with the heritage listed site of Ann Jones’ Gelnrowan Inn, we worked our way to the site where Ned Kelly was finally taken down with a shot to the leg. As the girls particularly liked learning about this Aussie folklore legend, we followed up with a Ned Kelly movie night back at the caravan. 

THE PROSECCO ROAD

We are so very privileged to be able to taste our way around the country! The King Valley has some of the highest altitude vineyards in Australia, and is highly regarded for its cool climate and Mediterranean-inspired wines. The entire region is also surrounded by ranges, hills, creeks and rivers, so the drive between cellar doors and providores was nothing short of picturesque.

BROWN BROTHERS

We started at Brown Brothers, close to where we were staying, but our reason for choosing this winery goes back to one faithful evening in 2002 when Mick and I bonded over a bottle of Brown Brothers Crouchen and Rielsing (no judgement please). We're happy to say that our taste buds have certainly evolved since then, and we had a delightful Brown Brothers cellar door experience, adding some tasty cab sav to our winter wine collection.

MILAWA GOURMET REGION

The Browns also started Milawa Cheese Company in 1988, housed in the historic Milawa Butter Factory, just a few minutes down the road. We tasted 12 different cheeses, all scrum-diddly-umcious! Of course we couldn't leave with all of them, but we did leave with a few for the antipasto platter we had planned - after all, we are glamping, not camping! Which was another reason we couldn't bypass the nearby Olive Shop, where we picked up some more tasty treats for later.

SAM MIRANDA

The staff at Sam Miranda were so hospitable. They accommodated the kids and pooch next to the wood fire with blankets, and brought them hot chips! We couldn't have asked for more during our wine tasting, but that too included great conversation as we worked our way through the range.

DAL ZOTTO ESTATE

There was no hit 'n' miss at the three cellar doors we chose to visit. 

Personable, friendly, accomodating of families and dog-friendly.

Bocce!

Italian grape varieties.

First, second and third generation Italian migrant families continue a tradition, today treating the Australian palate with their

dad who defied the climate with grapes.

When the sommelier heard we liked a shiraz, she told us about the time Otto Dal Zotto, the Italian wine-maker and owner  ... first attempted to grow the shiraz grape here. He was told the climate was too cold and it would never work. Well, the proof is in the pudding and Otto consequently named his L'immigante shiraz 'contro' to remind the doubters of what he achieved contrary to what they said.

DAL ZOTTO ESTATE

There

Italian grape varieties.

First, second and third generation Italian migrant families continue a tradition, today treating the Australian palate with their

dad who defied the climate with grapes.

When the sommelier heard we liked a shiraz, she told us about the time Otto Dal Zotto, the Italian wine-maker and owner  ... first attempted to grow the shiraz grape here. He was told the climate was too cold and it would never work. Well, the proof is in the pudding and Otto consequently named his L'immigante shiraz 'contro' to remind the doubters of what he achieved contrary to what they said.

DAL ZOTTO ESTATE

There

Italian grape varieties.

First, second and third generation Italian migrant families continue a tradition, today treating the Australian palate with their

dad who defied the climate with grapes.

When the sommelier heard we liked a shiraz, she told us about the time Otto Dal Zotto, the Italian wine-maker and owner  ... first attempted to grow the shiraz grape here. He was told the climate was too cold and it would never work. Well, the proof is in the pudding and Otto consequently named his L'immigante shiraz 'contro' to remind the doubters of what he achieved contrary to what they said.

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First, second and third generation Italian migrant families continue a tradition, today treating the Australian palate with their

dad who defied the climate with grapes.

Every cellar door provided us with a personal 

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2.  

3. picturesque landscape of farmland surrounded by mountains, rivers and hill Views, 

4. Prosecco Road

5. Milawa gourmet region… 

6. Every cellar door provided us with a personal 

7.  

8. 
   

9.  

10. picturesque landscape of farmland surrounded by mountains, rivers and hill Views, 

11. Prosecco Road

12. Milawa gourmet region… 

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The staff at Sam Miranda were so hospitable. On the cold and frosty day we were there, they accommodated the kids and pooch next to the wood fire with blankets, and brought them hot chips! We couldn't have asked for more during our wine tasting, but that too included great conversation as we worked our way through the range.

MILAWA

There

Italian grape varieties.

First, second and third generation Italian migrant families continue a tradition, today treating the Australian palate with their

dad who defied the climate with grapes.

When the sommelier heard we liked a shiraz, she told us about the time Otto Dal Zotto, the Italian wine-maker and owner  ... first attempted to grow the shiraz grape here. He was told the climate was too cold and it would never work. Well, the proof is in the pudding and Otto consequently named his L'immigante shiraz 'contro' to remind the doubters of what he achieved contrary to what they said.