Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, be merry.
EAT: North-East Victoria’s Finest at Tastes of Rutherglen
Set the date aside – Tastes of Rutherglen will return on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March 2020 (Labour Day long weekend) to showcase the very best of Rutherglen’s award-winning wines as well as produce from the surrounding bushfire-affected North-East Victoria region.
The Winemakers of Rutherglen are urging Australians to show their support for North-East Victoria by booking a trip to the region for the annual food and wine festival. This year’s festival is set to be one of the biggest and best on record with a revamped programme; focusing more on event-goers experiencing a taste of the Rutherglen region as a whole.
The rustic carpet will be rolled out as 18 Rutherglen wineries welcome visitors to the tasting table to sip and savour their way around the entire region all weekend long. With a stellar line-up of cellar door activities, special events, masterclasses and menus for the whole family to enjoy, Tastes of Rutherglen is the ultimate long weekend escape.
Tastes of Rutherglen 2020 will offer visitors the chance to discover perfect pairings of the region’s stand-out wines combined with fresh local produce and authentic experiences.
View full Tastes of Rutherglen 2020 event programme here.
DRINK: De Bortoli Wines’ Noble One
De Bortoli Wines’ Noble One is truly one of the sweetest success stories in Australian winemaking history. Developed by Darren De Bortoli in 1982, this
luxuriously sweet Botrytis Semillon is one of the world’s most awarded wines.
Darren pioneered the production of this variety in Australia and more than three decades on, it continues to set the benchmark for Botrytis wines.
There is also cause for celebration for De Bortoli Wines with the Noble One 2016 vintage recently named in the prestigious Decanter New World Top 10 Sweet Wines. This adds to its collection of over 150 trophies and 465 gold medals awarded throughout its 30 year history. Of the 10 wines selected from around the world, Noble One is the only Botrytis Semillion and one of just two Australian wines recognised.
To celebrate your next special occasion (big or small) with this sweet taste of heaven, Noble One is available in major retail bottle shops and online. De Bortoli Noble One 375ml – RRP $36 or De Bortoli Noble One 750ml – RRP $79.
TRY: Surfing In Melbourne’s City
URBNSURF Melbourne can produce up to 1,000 perfect, ocean-like surfing waves every hour, ranging from 0.5 metres to two metres in height.
It has pioneered a new, safe and inclusive way to surf and URBNSURF can customise the experience to suit all ages and abilities – from gentle, rolling whitewater for learners and beginners, through to steep, barrelling waves that will challenge even the most experienced riders – and with state-of-the-art sports lighting, the waves are pumping day and night, year-round.
Located on Airport Drive, Tullamarine, 16 kilometres north of the Melbourne CBD and just minutes from Melbourne Airport, URBNSURF Melbourne can accommodate up to 84 surfers per hour across four different surfing zones.
Priced at just $15 for kids and $20 for adults during the week, and $25 for kids and $30 for adults on weekends, the 1-hour Play In The Bay sessions are one of the best-kept secrets for the summer weather.
If you’re ready to take the next step, the 1 hour and 45-minute beginner group surf lessons are the perfect way to progress in a safe, controlled and supportive environment. You can book now for only $49 for kids and $69 for adults during the week, and $59 for kids and $70 for adults on weekends, with board and wetsuit hire included.
BUY: Enbacci’s SPF Hand Cream To Prevent Pigmentation
There’s a widespread skin pigmentation issue which is exacerbated by the sun and is often overlooked in most daily skincare regimens.
According to Enbacci founder and skincare expert, Yong-Li Zhou, freckles are extra skin pigmentation under the skin that usually form and become more pronounced following daily sun exposure. As the skin on the hands and wrists are susceptible to photoaging much like the face, they require the same level of nourishment and sun protection in the form of a cleansing agent, moisturiser and SPF.
“Our hands are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants,” said Yong-Li Zhou. “They are exposed to harmful UV rays while we are walking down the street, driving the car, talking on a phone, and playing most outdoor sports.”
Offering intense hydration with a dry touch finish, Enbacci’s Brightening Hand & Nail Cream ($23rrp, 40ml) includes an SPF protection of 15 and protects from oxidative stress and free radicals caused by UV sun exposure and environmental factors. Containing aloe, shea butter, coconut oil and sweet almond oil, this vitamin A and E rich cream also reduces the appearance of stubborn sun and age spots, wrinkles and fine lines, while preventing the onset of new ones.
To compliment, the range also includes Enbacci’s deep cleansing Nourishing Hand Wash ($28rrp, 280ml) which contains coconut oil, an ingredient rich in medium-chain fatty acids, and moisturising powerhouse glycerine, to repair damaged skin cells, restore hydration and purify the skin from harmful surface bacteria caused by environmental pollutants. For evening use, the range concludes with the Moisturising Hand & Nail Cream ($23, 40ml); a decadent oil-in-cream emulsion that is formulated to match the pH level of skin and fortify the hand’s natural protection barrier with a potent injection of essential fatty acids and vitamins for collagen repair.
The hand care range, which follows years of laboratory research and biotechnology formulations, is designed for all skin types, ethnicities, genders and ages; and is available nationwide at www.enbacci.com and via the brand’s flagship store located in Melbourne’s city fringe.
VISIT: National Raspberry Drop Day at Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill, alongside Ballarat local businesses, will this month celebrate one of Ballarat’s most famous hard-boiled lollies, the Raspberry Drop.
The sweet treat will take over a number of Ballarat businesses for the month of February, to bring you an array of delicious Raspberry Drop creations, which include a Raspberry Drop Lemon Meringue Cake, Raspberry Drop Cupcakes and Raspberry Drop Hot Cross Buns.
To end the month, the first ever National Raspberry Drop day will be celebrated on Saturday 22 February, which will see a number of Raspberry Drop themed events at Sovereign Hill and in the City of Ballarat, with the chance for one lucky person to win a year supply of Raspberry Drops.
For more details visit www.sovereignhillsummergoldrush.com.au/raspberrydrop
