Blog

Wayne Klintworth and Bob Laing, founders of Bass and Flinders Distillery, warmly greeted our intimate group of eight at the Darling Park Winery cellar door.  A short walk down the hill found us at the distillery.  Bob began our masterclass by providing us with a passionate introduction to distilling; showing the “French designed” Alembic style still and arousing our senses by passing around the scent of a very pure form of the gin.

Fudge has (allegedly) only been around for just over 120 years.  It’s one of those glorious mistakes that actually worked out okay.  A batch of caramels ‘gone wrong’ made in the US for Valentines Day in 1886 became what we know today as fudge.   This also explains why when someone makes a mistake, they are said to have ‘fudged’ it…

There is however, no mistaking the expertise of Sue and Tony Wood in the art of making fudge.

The Red Hill Market started way back in 1975, well before todays passion for meeting the maker to purchase local products. Started by four couples, the concept has grown to see markets run by the team across the state; with two on the Mornington Peninsula.  
Some of the original stall holders are still there, but there is an ever changing menu of home grown and handmade items; seasonal fruit and vegetables, preserves, juices, cider, ale and wine, cakes and biscuits, jewellery, clothes, art, childrens toys, plants and more.

Thanks to Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm for sharing their Wine Food Farmgate recipe.  Summer berries are so delicious at this time of year. Create this cooling dessert with maximum local flavour from Mornington Peninsula berries.  For a delicious adults only version; replace the orange juice with Rebello Strawberry Liqueur.  YUM!

Kym and Ted Smirnoff reckon they have the best job in the world - they get to sample all the delicious Mornington Peninsula goodies before they decide to stock them.  Their business, Peninsula Gourmet Emporium is an Aladdin's cave of delights.  Locally made chutneys, jams and relishes perch alongside biscuits, lollipops and (of course) lots of  lots of  local wine.  Along with all the accoutrements needed to indulge; pate knives, cheese boards and more.