Dressed in English country finery, surrounded by good food, wine and company, watching the sun set over Melbourne’s CBD skyline from a luscious green park – heaven, thanks to Reid Cycles and Fowles Wines.
I have a confession: it’s been a fair while since I last hopped on a bike. Not really the most adventurous (or co-ordinated!) child, as soon as I was no longer forced to ride my bike in the street, I stopped. Huffing and puffing up a hill with cars beeping and zooming past – not my idea of fun. But when the bikes are gorgeous vintage styles in pastel colours complete with wicker baskets, and there’s a promise of a wild picnic on the other side, I may just make an exception.
Which was, of course, exactly what happened for the #WildPicnic, hosted by Fowles Wine and Reid Cycles.
Meeting at Fed Square on a late sunny afternoon, we were assigned our bikes for the picturesque ride we would be taking along the Yarra to our wild picnic destination. Beautiful looking vintage style bikes in pretty pinks, mint, white, red, pastel blue, beige and of course Onya orange from Reid Cycles’ Ladies Vintage collection gleamed in the sun as we stood in formation waiting to ride.
Then the nerves start to kick in. Going down a slight slope, I could feel myself already wobbling around, desperately trying to keep up with the group and simultaneously avoid the throngs of people walking in Fed Square. But the bike was a breeze to ride and it wasn’t long before I was racing along the flat, wind in my hair, admiring the sunny views of the Yarra along the way.
When we arrived at the picnic location – the beautiful Queen Victoria Gardens – I was almost sad to have to return the bike. I was quickly cheered up when I saw the set up of the wild picnic – guests stood amongst fresh flowers, picnic rugs, cute flags, a photobooth, (rubber) duck hunting and croquet, with delicious looking food and Fowles wine a plenty.
The wine on offer was Fowles Winery’s ‘ladies who shoot their lunch’ range, designed as the perfect companion to wild game. Considering the winery had just been announced as the winner of the 2013 best winery in the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards (for the second year running), it’s no surprise that the Rose, Prosecco, Chardonnay and Shiraz flowed steadily, providing the perfect refreshment for a summer picnic.
As guests relaxed on tartan picnic rugs, showed off their ring tossing skills, played heated games of croquet and practiced their best rubber duck hunting, there was plenty of time to admire the effort many had gone into with their themed ‘Country Couture’ outfits. Knee-high boots, riding pants, earthy tones and tailored tweed reigned supreme – and congratulations to Esme and the Laneway, who rode away with best dressed and a fabulous new bike!
Check out the beautiful video made of the event – and why not take inspiration for any upcoming summer soirees you may be planning?
Fowles Winery – 15 minute drive from the Hume Freeway on Upton Road, Strathbogie Ranges VIC 3664
