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Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Marnong Estate's $22 million winery just 18km from Melbourne's Tullamarine airport bottles pinot noir, shiraz at 'sensible prices'
I went to rural Victoria to taste wine and to feast on a 'gelato' stuffed with king salmon and caviar. And while I was there an ostrich tried to eat my hat. Marnong Estate winemaker Alex Beckett came to the rescue bravely retrieving the Akubra before the brazen bird swooped again. Mercifully, lunch beckoned. Marnong Estate at Sunbury is 35 minutes north of Melbourne and only 15 minutes from Tullamarine airport and sits in a glorious location atop rolling hills with panoramic views across vineyards to the Macedon Ranges. Travellers to Victoria in search of a wine-tourism adventure usually head south to the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula. Marnong Estate offers a tranquil alternative and a quick escape for Melbourne tourists. The vineyard is set in a 480ha working cattle station where 11,000 Angus and Highland cattle graze in lush pastures not far from a row of luxury cabins, a restored homestead, two restaurants and a gleaming new $22 million winery and cellar door and a wedding reception and conference venue. Black-faced sheep graze between the grape vines. And there is a petting zoo. Marnong is a legacy project by Victorian rich lister Dino Strano, a highway builder and property tycoon, Mr Beckett explained. Mr Strano sees the estate as a work in progress and has earmarked substantial funds for a boutique hotel with 80 rooms. It must now run the gauntlet through the arduous approvals process across three levels of government and CASA, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Then he will explore the possibility of a wind farm and, further away, an abattoir. Marnong Estate is a young vineyard with 40h under vine and another 5ha earmarked for more pinot noir. Mr Beckett, 33, bottles pinot grigio, chardonnay, fiano, sangiovese, pinot noir, shiraz, montepulciano, a sparkling wine, a rose and several red and white blends. Prices start at a sensible $25 for the estate range. Mr Beckett and Mr Strano and their viticulturist Shannon Fullerton are ambitious and keen to extend the portfolio. They will soon plant nerello mascalese and carricante, two varieties indigenous to Sicily. Nerello mascalese grown around Mt Etna produces a lighter-bodied red. Carricante is a fragrant white wine with aromas of green apples and orange blossom grown in the Mt Etna high country. The Italian theme continues in the restaurants at Marnong Estate. Guests can enjoy a tasting experience at the cellar door or dine in at one of two Italian restaurants, La Vètta, and Cucina 3064, or grab a coffee with a view at Caffè Vista. French Canadian chef Marco-Andre Vadeboncoeur has designed an extensive menu at La Vètta with dishes ranging from delicate entrees to robust pasta dishes ($32+), (made with eggs from the estate's hens) and beef blockbusters like Bistecca della Vetta, the Mighty T-bone, a 1.2kg hunk of grain-fed Black Angus ($150), or a Queensland wagyu rump ($80). We began a long lunch with the gelato ($15) that turned out to be row of three charcoal wafers moulded like little ice cream cones and stuffed with Ora king salmon, crème fraiche and a small hit of yuzu gel to cut through the wanton richness. For more flamboyance the cones were topped with caviar. I imagine Mr Vadeboncoeur's gelatos are a riff on similar 'cornets' made by superchef Thomas Keller at French Laundry in the Napa Valley. We found a glass of fiano a good match for the tonno crudo, ($32) comprising yellow-fin tuna, stracciatella cheese, mandarin and nashi pear dressed with nasturtiums. From the pasta menu came two outstanding dishes: Gnocchi con capretto, potato dumplings with slow-cooked baby goat ($42) and Paccheri alle cicale, which turned out to be Moreton Bay bugs cassia baka, star anise in a gentle curry sauce with Aleppo pepper ($48). Then came platters of mouthwatering beef including Cape Grim rib eye, South Australian Black Angus porterhouse and the aforementioned wagyu served with three kinds of mustards, salsa verde and a red wine jus. ($70+). Guests to Marnong Estate can choose from 10 luxury cabins including studio apartments or one-bedroom suites. Studios from $279 per night. One-bedroom suites from $324. Marnong Estate's tastefully restored 1840's homestead is also available for guests with four elegant suites all with private ensuites. From $520 a night. Or book the entire homestead from $2700 a night. The writer stayed as a guest of the estate. Wine reviews next week
Courier-Mail
21 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Pope breaks with tradition in Vatican's most exclusive pad
Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Next playlist item Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Play Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently playing live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen Will we hit the national home building target? 02:18 When it comes to prestigious addresses, few rival the Apostolic Palace – a 16th-century residence overlooking Vatican City. But in a twist that sounds more Bondi than Vatican, Pope Leo XIV will move into the lavish papal apartment with a handful of flatmates, breaking with centuries of tradition. According to Italian media reports, His Holiness, will move into the renovated rooms later this year and will be sharing the 10-room apartment with three or four others. This marks a departure from his predecessor, Pope Francis, who famously declined the opulent accommodation in favour of a simpler life in the Santa Marta residence. The Daily Telegraph reports that the Pope's Peruvian personal secretary, Father Edgard Rimaycuna, is expected to be among those invited to share the apartment. RELATED: Surprise fortune Pope Francis left behind revealed Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi noted the unprecedented nature of this arrangement in modern times, telling the Telegraph: 'It seems to be new to me. I don't know if that takes account of the long history of the Church but certainly in the modern era.' He also highlighted that it's like having 'flatmates' like many humble residents of the world. While Pope Francis chose to live in the Santa Marta residence to maintain daily contact with ordinary people, Pope Leo's decision reflects his Augustinian values of community living, having spent 12 years living in community when he was prior-general of the order. 'In my opinion, Leo is definitely different to Francis but not that different. He is returning to the papal apartments, but not like a king,' Mr Scaramuzzi added. The Apostolic Palace apartment has served as the official residence of popes since 1870, with each new pontiff typically undertaking renovations. Following Pope Francis's death on April 21, this year, the doors of the apartment were sealed in keeping with Vatican tradition, even though the late pope never lived there. The Vatican has remained tight-lipped about the current renovations, during which teams of technicians have spent months working on a redesign of the rooms and have had to deal with damage caused by water infiltration and humidity in the 12 years that the apartment remained empty. Pope Leo has also revived the tradition of papal summer holidays at Castel Gandolfo, another custom forgone by Pope Francis. While the renovations are completed, Pope Leo is living in the Sagrestia building next to St Peter's Basilica. The Apostolic Palace is believed to be one of more than 5,000 church and investment properties owned by The Vatican around the world.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Review: Azerai Ke Ga Bay in Vietnam dazzles with sunsets and style
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Set the scene Adrian Zecha, a foundation partner of Regent Hotels International and the legendary creator of Aman resorts (now simply branded Aman), launched his Singapore-headquartered standalone group Azerai in 2017 and the luxury accommodation world instantly took notice, hailing 'transformative experiences' and outstanding design to rival the original Aman resorts. After a debut in Luang Prabang, Laos, Zecha chose Vietnam as the destination to consolidate his Azerai brand, with a colonial-style property in Hue, followed by Azerai Ke Ga Bay, formerly Princess D Annam Resort & Spa, a mecca for golfers. Unsurprisingly, considering Zecha's credentials, the immaculately refurbished and expanded property is now one of the country's leading beach retreats. Azerai Ke Ga Bay lies on a stunning stretch of sand. The location On the southeast coast of Vietnam in Phan Thiet, Lam Dong province, Azerai Ke Ga Bay is set amid 4.5 hectares of gardens scented with ginger and exotic herbs. It's a beautiful estate centrally sited near dunes on a 5km-long stretch of white sand overlooking the East Sea. The property is about 200km northeast from Ho Chi Minh City, accessed by road and rail. The destination is renowned for its spectacular sunsets over the South China Sea and certainly rates up there with the best beach spreads of, say, Bali, Lombok and southern Thailand. To the east is Hon Ba Island with its 19th-century lighthouse built by the colonial French to aid navigation. Private estate vibes at Azerai Ke Ga Bay. The vibe This is five-star territory, with immaculate service and an easy-breezy feel amid terraces, lawns and pavilions. There's an understated sense of fine interior design, with no flashy gold touches or designer bling. Expect glossy white surfaces and a soothing approach that's quietly comfortable and innately stylish. No strict dress code applies but elegantly casual beachwear is appropriate. During my visit, French and northern European guests are enjoying a southern hemisphere break, while many Australian travellers are covering itineraries with other regional destinations, including Thailand. Expect light and bright surfaces. I overhear guests praising the resort's sustainability choices, including solar panels and low-energy LED lighting. With little ones or teens in tow, it's reassuring that there are expertly staffed and equipped leisure options. Check the kids' club and a games room for table tennis and indoor activities; play pétanque or beach volleyball or dip in the property's two pools, nicely set in a peaceful enclave surrounded by fragrant frangipani trees. The entire estate feels boundless, heliconia bushes and banyan trees add jolts of colour and welcome shade, and there are ample spaces to relax and wander. The room A description of 'room' barely does justice to the accommodation. The 57-strong inventory choice here covers suites, villas and pavilions, all as comfy and classy as the categories suggest. Consider a pool villa, accommodating two adults and a child across 130 sqm of indoor space. There's a private courtyard with petite plunge pool and outdoor furniture. Natural stone, smooth pebbled surfaces and timbers have been locally sourced. Expect a pastel palette, soft rattan matting and organic textures across a flow-through design, smart bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, Vietnamese artworks and plenty of natural light. The bedding and pillows are luxuriously soft; laundry service is fast and efficient. Space galore in the rooms. The action The beach is fun central. Complimentary activities abound, from body boarding and beach net fishing to pétanque, kite flying and beach volleyball. Use of some equipment, such as catamarans and kayaks, incurs a rental fee, and lessons can be booked for windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding, plus enjoyable hands-on cooking classes. Guests can take part in beach net fishing. Food and drink Unusually for this part of the world, menu items at Azerai Ke Ga Bay are labelled with dietary information, such as containing gluten, nuts or dairy, with alternative options available. Whether western style or Vietnamese staples, the dishes are consistently delicious. Breakfast on the alfresco Terrace, which has lovely sea views and runs on a leisurely timetable from 6.30am to 10am, is a standout, featuring faultless eggs benedict and crab cakes plus plenty of continental selections, freshly baked bread and pastries plus local specialties. Drink in the sea views from the terrace. I've heard it said that dining Vietnamese style is like "eating a garden" and it's true. Think: lemongrass, ginger, coriander, bird's-eye chillies, mint, basil and lime. It's fresh, yummy, and virtuous. A banh mì crunchy baguette roll is a great snack option for lunch, layered with chopped egg salad and a range of spicy condiments on the side. Or go for generously plump rice-paper rolls and chilli-speckled green mango salad. There are cocktails and mocktails available, all very colourful and amply garnished, but the must-try local drink is a bright pink dragonfruit smoothie and there are tours of a nearby farm where this tropical fruit, packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, is grown. I'm told they even use dragonfruit as an exfoliant for the resort's wellness spa scrub treatments. The dining is fresh and delicious. Another food and beverage space is the slightly fancier Dining Room, with light but substantial menus. The sleek and comfy Living Room is a bar-style option for lolling about; I overhear two guests ordering Purple Lady cocktails (as luridly coloured as they sound) and debating that the venue should have been called The Drinking Room. Alternative option Amanoi, a member of the Aman portfolio originally conceived by Adrian Zecha in 2013, is set in Nui Chua National Park, overlooking Vinh Hy Bay 55km south of Cam Ranh regional airport. It's ultra-luxe, with tariffs to match, but provides an intriguing glimpse into the ethos and style that Zecha pioneered in the world of Asian resorts, a contribution still considered unrivalled. A more local option near Azerai Ke Ga Bay is family-friendly Sonata Resort & Spa on Tien Thanh Beach, highly rated by users. What's hot All the little details are immaculately considered. Team members speak better English than at other Vietnamese resorts I've sampled. And then there's The Azerai Spa where an Asian Wave Massage is sure to send you into a blissful reverie. Instead of a recorded soundtrack, expect the gentle sound of the ocean and smooth strokes as therapists apply fragrant oils. There are similarities to a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage in the wave technique, with elements of shiatsu, Thai and Swedish, but pressure and style can be adapted to guests' preferences. Use of the steamroom and sauna is complimentary and the spa menu covers the expected facials, scrubs, hand and foot therapies, wraps and hair treatments, plus yoga, reflexology and meditation sessions are popular. The gym has high-tech cardiovascular and strength-training equipment (if you must). The hotel spa is a haven of relaxation. What's not As a resort that straddles the divide between couples and families, and seems very popular with honeymooners, also be aware that there could be a preponderance of children during school holidays, so enquire when booking dates. The verdict: 8.5/10 There are bigger and flashier beach resorts in south Vietnam but few with such a stunning beach setting, intuitive staff and a groovy sense of slightly retro modernist design across multiple accommodation categories. The estate is easy to walk around; meals are leisurely and there's an excellent afternoon tea service served from 3.30pm to 4.30pm plus in-room dining. This is a place of generosity and goodwill, even down to the branded beach totes and plentiful bottled water in each room, free wi-fi, ample tea and coffee-making supplies, and excellent bath amenities. Definitely one for the 'must go back' files. This writer was a guest of Azerai Ke Ga Bay. Originally published as Review: Azerai Ke Ga Bay in Vietnam dazzles with sunsets and style
