A DESTINATION to visit and experience was the ethos behind the establishment of the Milawa Gourmet Region back in 1994.
Now, 30 years on, the region is firmly established as a tourism destination offering not only exceptional food and wine, but an array of accommodation options and a range of activities, while acknowledging its heritage and ensuring a future.
It is this forward thinking, innovative approach that prompted the 21 businesses who originally formed the Milawa Gourmet Region to hang out their gourmet-declaring signs.
According to an article published in the Financial Review back in February 1995, “the steering committee decided to keep it simple; new members get a fetching shingle in burgundy and light cream with a logo showing grapes, a bottle, a glass, wedge of cheese and loaf of bread.”
The article went on to quote Barry Jones, who was the marketing manager for Brown Brothers at the time and was generally recognised as the gourmet region’s helmsperson, and he believed tourists had become sophisticated to the point of wanting an overnight stay with their gourmet experiences.
“There is a lot of what you might call artisan food and wine in the area and we decided there was enough for (tourists) to focus on a total experience,” Mr Jones said.
It was felt that areas such as the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula had promoted themselves as wine producers, but by projecting a broader image for Milawa it was hoped to create a market niche, with the ‘gourmet’ tag being both specific and expansive.
So, did and does the region live up to its assertions?
Well the fact the Milawa Gourmet Region has not only survived but thrived over the past 30 years speaks for itself, and the current cohort of association members wants to celebrate such a substantial achievement.
What better way to mark the occasion than with a night of fine food and wine in the historic winery barn at Milawa’s Brown Brothers, one of the foundation members, this Saturday, May 18.
“It will be a gala four-course dinner, including a glass of prosecco or a cherry ginsecco and roaming canapes on arrival, followed by three courses, each matched with three local wines,” current Milawa Gourmet Region Association president, Meghan Gehrig, said.
“The wines will be supplied by members – Brown Brothers, John Gehrig Wines, Sam Miranda Wines and Wood Park Wines – and head chef Bodee is curating the menu, highlighting our region’s seasonal great produce.
“With this special birthday gala dinner, the dress code is ‘red, white and sparkles’ to celebrate our award winning wines.
“At the dinner, we will also be launching our commemorative book ‘Thirty Years of Gourmet’, a must for any food and wine lover.
“The perfect keepsake.”
Tickets, which cost $160 per person, for the gala dinner are available at https://events.humanitix.com/30-years-of-gourmet-milawa-gourmet-region-30th-birthday-dinner