Christmas is just around the corner !!!!!!!In fact it is less than eight weeks away, so if 3 Kings and the Yarra Valley is on your list of things to do this Summer please consider making your reservation early. Between Christmas and the tenth of January we have a two night minimum stay policy. Last year we were full between those dates by the start of December. Call Julie or myself directly or book online via our website and hopefully you will be our guests, Brian 24/10/11 Markets The Warburton Community Market
The market runs on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9am to 2pm at St Mary's Church Hall, Warburton (opposite the Tennis Club). Each market there is a host of stalls selling a variety of products including plants, art & craft, jewellery, clothes, honey, fairtrade products, home baked cakes and Frank's Sausage Sizzle. Each market day there is always something of interest going on. Enquiries to Julian 5966 5500. St Andrews Market – Every Saturday morning. Yarra Valley Organic Market @Healesville Railway Station - Saturdays Country Market at Mont De Lancey - Saturdays Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market – 3rd Sunday of month Healesville Racecourse Community Market – 1st Sunday of month
Bulong Estate and James Halliday wine RatingsIt would be true to say that I am not a true wine expert, looking for colour, swirling the glass, checking for the right finish and then spitting it out! I simply pour it in the glass and drink it! If it tastes great then I drink some more. However thankfully there are people who really know the product and are expert at classing and grading fine wines. they are able to guide us towards the best of quality so that we can choose with confidence and enjoy the quality without the risk of buying a dud. Probably one of the most respected groups for doing just this is the James Halliday Wine Companion. They recently put Bulong Estate Winery to the sword and rated their wines. Bulong received a 4.5 star rating, up from 3.5 and 4 star. As James says in his forward "4 1/2 stars indicates an excellent winery able to produce wines of high to very high quality, knocking on the door of a 5 star rating". Bulong produces approximately 7 different varieties, 5 of which scored between 89 and 94 points. All of this quality and they are 2 minutes from 3 Kings. So if tasting really good wine is one of the reasons that you will be visiting the Yarra Valley then be sure to place Bulong Estate at the top of the list. It is great and heartening to know that some of Australia's very best wine is being produced right here in Yarra Junction. Our warmest congratulations go to Matt (wine maker) Judy and Howard (owners) and all the team at Bulong for a job well done. Cheers for now Brian 1/9/10 Go on get fit 3 Kings Bed and Breakfast is located along the Warburton Highway and on the other side of that Highway, where we are is the old decommissioned Lilydale to Warburton passenger railway. It has been revamped and is now one of Victoria's most popular walking, horse riding and cycling trails. Jump on one of 3 Kings bikes and head towards Warburton 10kms as the railway flies. It is really easy riding /walking and the view of the valley and surrounding mountains is just superb. It is a slight grade up in places on the way to Warburton but not too taxing and it does serve to make the ride home a bit easier. Now way back in 1911 our government decided to build an aqueduct to allow the water of the Yarra Valley to make it's way to the folk of Melbourne town. This section took 4 years to build,(mainly by hand) and is placed 3 parts up on the side of a mountain. It has a slight down hill gradient all the way, (because water won't flow uphill). Anyway about a dozen years or so ago they decided to put the water supply under ground and the aqueduct was turned off. About a year ago the whole thing was opened up as a walking and cycling trail that runs all the way right along side the channel, so don't get the wobbles up and fall in! I used to ride this trail before it was officially opened. I saw Deer, Wallabies, Lyre birds and lots of general bird life. Now be told, this is a fantastic ride for anybody with just a little bit of bike fitness and is an absolute must bike tour. If you check our packages we have developed a tour around this particular trail. It is fairly new so it hasn't really been fully discovered by the general population as yet. So be the first to tell your family and friends about it. Feel free to contact us if you would like directions on how to get there. regards Brian 31/01/2010 3 Kings recommended wineries.
1/
I have just recently started having a bit of a look around this beautiful Yarra Valley's local wineries. Not very impressive on my behalf considering i have been a local for over 30 years!! Have I been surprised. I am not talking about Domain Chandon or De Bortoli, I think most people are aware that these people run a very impressive operation. I am speaking of the local wineries on the Warburton Highway, all within 10 to 15 minutes drive from 3 Kings. I stopped in first, at Killara Estate half way between Seville and Worri Yallock. 90 acres under vines and a view to die for. They have a fantastic selection including bubbles, red and white. They have wines on special starting from $7 dollars a bottle for run out specials, there is a lovely restaurant serving light meals, catering also for weddings and special events and all taking in this fantastic vista. Wine tasting is free and the deals are great, no need to book just roll up and say Brian and Julie from 3 Kings sent you and I am sure your experience will be as good as mine. 10 out of 10 for sure a must do they are on Sunnyside Rd Seville East Melway Ref 285 F10. 2/Bulong Estate. This establishment is only a few minutes from 3 Kings and enjoys the same Yarra Valley aspect and views as 3 Kings. Judy, Howard and their wine making son Matthew run this family run winery. They produce a range of premium still red and white wines, have a restaurant with some of the best food going in the whole of the Yarra Valley. They are happy to cater for functions and weddings to couples for romantic dining. The restaurant is open for dinner Friday and Saturday night for dinner and Sunday lunch. Wine tasting is available every day and its free. they are located on Summerhill road Yarra Junction Melway Ref 288 G12 3/Seville Hill. This place was a lovely surprise and all the people that i have taken to visit here just love the wine on offer. In fact after Julie and I sampled their sparkling we decided to stock it as one of our in unit house wines, it is a beautiful drop. It is wine tasting only (no restaurant) however the tasting room is comfortable and warm and i believe they have cheese tasting at times as well. Do not miss this place it is only 15 minutes drive from 3 Kings. they are at Paynes Rd Seville Melway ref 119 J11 4/Elmswood Estate... WOW now this is nice. I was really surprised on how beautiful this place was, the view and outlook is postcard perfect. The function area is outdoor like a giant Marquis which is completely enclosed with PVC clear blinds, it looks stunning and it takes the views in perfectly. Wine tasting is inside the main building and you just have to try their sparkling Pinot, i loved it. they have an extensive range and if you try them all then bring me or a designated driver along to drive you back to 3 Kings. They have a restaurant as well. Wine tasting is free and they have the doors open 7 days a week. the address is,75 Monbulk Seville Rd Wandin East Melway ref 305 C6 Bargain Winery Tours
Wild Wombat Tours Here is a new tour company, however your guide Yvette has been in the tour business for over six years so she knows her wineries.Yvette has a mini bus and offers full day winery tours including lunch, with free pick up and drop off at 3 Kings for $120 per person To book contact 3 Kings or Yvette at Wild Wombat on 0417 595 164 Rayners Stonefruit Orchard
Len and Heather Rayner own and run this stone fruit farm. They have built it up from a bush block to now having over 200 varieties of stone fruit.Len for quiet a few years was busy growing for the Footscray fruit and Veg market, however was finding that the price offered was barley enough to cover the farmers cost. So Len and Heather made the decision to take their produce to some of the local farmers markets to try their luck.... Well the rest is great history they now sell almost all of their fruit direct, so its fresher and cheaper than what you could get at any super market! In fact it was so successful that things have really moved on with a cafe being built on the property last year specializing in the foods grown on the property, (you would be surprised with all the things you can make from fruit). If you are the type of person who loves to travel in style, then why not try an orchard tour in the back of a Lamborghini! ah that's actually a tractor, you will be able to tour the farm while Len allows you to sample the delights direct from the tree! Now it just does not get any fresher than that and you will taste the difference. Be quick because the season will be finishing in April if you miss it then the wait will be on until November when the season starts again. Rayners Orchard is at 60 Schoolhouse Road, Woori Yallock about 10 minutes drive from 3 Kings. Phone 59 647 654 or check them out on www.raynerstonefruit.com.au enjoy regards Brian 31/01/2010
Yarra Valley Food, Wine & Craft MarketHealesville Amateur Race Course Yarra Glen Rd
Healesville 3777
(Melway ref 269 J12) The Yarra Valley Food, Wine & Craft Market is held at the Healesville Amateur racecourse in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Under an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is famous for its fresh food, wine, craft and breathtaking scenery. The markets are held on the first Sunday of the month and offer quality products and produce from the local area |
