Banquet in the vines

The punchy flavours of Longrain dishes will be matched with outstanding Sutton Grange wines. Photo: Tania Bahr-Vollrath

This autumn, modern Thai restaurant Longrain heads north to central Victoria, bringing an exclusive Thai banquet to the picturesque winery and working farm, Sutton Grange.
Longrain will offer weekend lunches at the Sutton Grange Winery, located a short drive from Castlemaine and Kyneton, each Saturday and Sunday from March 13 for a limited time only.
Chef-restaurateur Scott Pickett has created bespoke dishes for the occasion, along with some Longrain signatures that perfectly pair with the winery’s award-winning drops, traditionally handcrafted by winemaker Melanie Chester.
Though Sutton Grange has a longstanding relationship with Longrain, this is the first venture for Pickett’s new catering business, SP Events.
“We can showcase the punchy flavours of Longrain within the scenic vineyards and match the dishes with the outstanding Sutton Grange wines,” Pickett said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to give our guests the full culinary experience and share our love for our local region and fine produce.
“It will also be the first gig for our new catering arm of the business, so we are very excited to deliver!”
Served in the grand limestone barrel hall, Longrain’s banquet menu effortlessly balances the four essential elements of South-East Asian cuisine: hot, sour, salty and sweet.
Sutton Grange is easily accessible as part of a day trip or weekend escape for city dwellers, or an enjoyable day out for locals in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Harcourt and beyond. As vintage season approaches, guests can take in the breathtaking views of the vast vineyard and watch pickers harvest grapes beneath the spectacular rolling hills of Leanganook (Mount Alexander).
To complete the afternoon, Sutton Grange’s sit-down cellar door tasting experience is available for just an additional $10. Explore the classic central Victoria varietals and alternative blends that capture the uniqueness of the terroir as the winemakers share the story of the 1000-acre property.
Additionally, guests are invited to continue the experience at home with gift packs available to purchase featuring Longrain sauces, Sutton Grange wine, Scott Pickett’s cookbook Marriage of Flavours and a Longrain tote bag.
“We all could use a little getaway right now. We hope that you will come with your friends and family and enjoy a beautiful day in the vineyards with great food and wine,” Pickett said.
Bookings are essential via longrainmelbourne.com

The punchy flavours of Longrain dishes will be matched with outstanding Sutton Grange wines. Photo: Tania Bahr-Vollrath

Photo: Alex Squadrito