Rocco and Lisa Esposito at Project 49 in Beechworth. Photo: Supplied
The Good Food team share their favourite places to eat and drink in their second homes.
It would be shallow of me to recommend visiting Beechworth in autumn simply for Instagram-worthy shots of leaves turning russet and gold against brilliant blue skies. Sure, that’s a strong pull, but it’s just one reason to point the car towards the High Country at this time of year.
So charge your phone and rug up because we have a bit to get through.
Bridge Road Brewery. Photo: Supplied
Start the day with Locale coffee and Milawa Bakery fruit toast at Project 49 on Beechworth’s main drag, which doubles as a deli stocking house-made, regional and boutique imports, and triples as a cellar door for the owners’ nearby winery (as well as other local labels).
While you’re in Ford Street, pop over to the Beechworth Honey Shop, filled with covetable gifts such as honey sampler packs, wooden dippers and beeswax candles.
There’s time to stroll around Lake Sambell, a recreation reserve a short walk from the town centre, before heading to Bridge Road Brewers, housed in a gold rush-era coach house and stables, for the 11am brewery tour, followed by a guided beer tasting. Stay for one of the brewery’s pillowy pizzas, which make ample use of regional produce (don’t knock the apple and blue cheese pizza until you’ve tried it).
After lunch, depending on your stamina levels, you could call into The Bike Hire Company and cycle to scenic Beechworth Gorge, or take a short drive to Pennyweight Winery, where you can sample, and buy, its remarkable apera (sherry).
Plan your trip around dinner at the pride of Kelly country, two-hatted Provenance, run by chef Michael Ryan and his winemaking wife, Jeanette Henderson. Ryan’s ever-evolving set menu combines Australian produce – hyperlocal, where possible – with nuanced Japanese flavours and techniques in 18 small dishes over four courses.
Chef Michael Ryan from Provenance. Photo: Peter Charlesworth
Insider’s tip: Michael Ryan recommends checking out the new kid on the block, Vera restaurant at Glenbosch Wine Estate, where Doug Elder (ex Brown Bros) is now cooking. It’s open for lunch Friday to Monday.
Beechworth Honey, 31 Ford Street, beechworthhoney.com.au
The Bike Hire Company, 95 Ford Street, thebikehirecompany.com.au
Bridge Road Brewers, 50 Ford Street, bridgeroadbrewers.com.au
Pennyweight Winery, 13 Pennyweight Lane, pennyweight.com.au/
Project 49, 46 Ford Street, projectfortynine.com.au
Provenance, 86 Ford Street, theprovenance.com.au
Vera restaurant, Glenbosch Wine Estate, 1036 Beechworth-Wangaratta Road glenbosch.com.au/restaurant