How I Grampians: Sarah Guthrie
Published on 1 December 2020
Sarah Guthrie grew up on a farm near Willaura, with the Grampians as her backdrop, and is passionate about all the region has to offer. She and her husband, Tom, produce cool-climate shiraz and prime lamb in the foothills of the Grampians Ranges. Their Great Western cellar door, Grampians Estate, showcases all their fine wines, not least their flagship Rutherford sparkling shiraz. The cellar door has recently been extended and the newly renovated 1878 Room and Deck now offers wine tastings and matching food overlooking the historic vineyard.
In the mornings you’ll find me packaging a wine order to send somewhere in Australia.
My local is The Moyston General store. Juli-Ann and Danial have cared for us all during lockdown with coffee, a smile, a loaf of bread and a bottle of our wine.
My defining food moment in The Grampians was the making of our first lamb pie, using our lamb marinated in our shiraz, and the pastry crafted by Great Western Granary.
I know I am in the Grampians when I look out my window every morning and remind myself that I am living in paradise.
The best new thing I’ve found is the beautiful native flowers produced my clever new neighbour at Woodlands Foliage.
When I want to push the boat out on a meal, I look to my brother Ned’s wagyu steak. He grows the wagyu but doesn’t market it, and we get some from his butcher in Mortlake, just for family (lucky us!).
When I want to dazzle friends from out of town, I like to take them to our vineyard for our million-dollar view. Our wine labels feature the painting Land of the Golden Fleece by Arthur Streeton. It was painted on the property where I grew up.
There’s no better value in the region than a two-litre wine cask of Red Rock Olive Oil.
My favourite place to stock up on supplies is The Dunkeld General store;you can get almost everything you need in one go, and the date slice has to be eaten to be believed.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here it would be to introduce the rest of the world to sparkling shiraz and Lana’s rhubarb relish.
But the one thing I hope never changes in the region is the majesty of those mountains.
Visit Sarah and the team at Grampians Estate Cellar Door at 1477 Western Highway, Great Western, Vic or find out more at grampiansestate.com.au
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