Well, we may not have much water to drink next year due to the dry winter, but I doubt this will upset too many people within the social club. If our visit to Lion Mill Vineyards is anything to go by, most people will be happy to drink wine, and plenty of it.
19 members of the group awoke to yet another glorious Spring day in Perth and made the long drive to
Mt Helena, including a couple of members who came all the way from Rockingham.
But as promised, the drive was well and truly worth it. We were greeted at the door by owners Noelene and her husband, who told us they had decided to close the winery to all other visitors for the day so we could be well and truly looked after.
This was an amazing gesture, and underlines why those of us who organise events stress the importance of attending restaurant functions if you book. If only 12 or 14 of us had turned up on the day it would have been totally unfair on the owners.
The frivolities commenced with Noelene giving us a very informative description of each of the wines produced at the vineyard before serving us a tasting at our table.
As is always the case, the reaction to each wine offered was either one of disgust or pure enjoyment.
On more than one occasion the wine sample was passed along from the person who didn’t like it to someone who did. Looking at Dawne’s performance it is fair to say there weren’t too many she didn’t like.
After all the wines had been tried, lunch orders were taken with homemade cannelloni, beef pie, chicken pie and salmon salad just some of the choices on the menu.
Drinks were next, with orders taken, and delivered, one at a time.
The lovely Noelene would never win any awards for fast service, but no-one was complaining.
This was warm, friendly and attentive service in all its glory.
Our meals consisted of very generous serves and from all accounts were delicious.
But the best was yet to come. Most members took Brian’s advice and pre-ordered the world’s best homemade sticky date pudding.
And as promised, it certainly was “to die for”. So much so that the ooh’s and aah’s coming from those enjoying the sticky date even convinced one lady to order one. And this was after she had enjoyed her lemon tart. At our insistence, the cook was brought out of the kitchen to receive a loud round of applause from all members.
This was a day to be remembered.
Fabulous weather, lovely views over the vineyard, delicious and unbelievably cheap meals, wine for all to enjoy, non-stop fun and laughter, and owners who could not have been more kind and welcoming.
With the vineyard now for sale, we may not get to enjoy such wonderful hospitality again.
Thanks to all those members who went along and helped make it such a fantastic day.
Welcome to new members Julie, Fran and Daniel, and welcome back Kathryn whom we had not seen for quite a while.
Thanks also goes to Brian for organising another fabulous event and for writing the blurb for the blog.
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