The Lake House - A Gourmet Heaven

The Lake House A Gourmet Heaven by John Nielsen

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f you have ever wondered about a recipe to make the perfect

tracks that meander from the property. Nearby are boating facilities,

gourmet retreat – I have found the answer. Begin with a lovely little

local wineries, excellent artists’ studios and galleries, places of historical

luxury hotel in the idyllic town of Daylesford, then add the award

interest, magnificent gardens and an 18-hole golf course – complete

winning cuisine from Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, and one of Australia’s best

with kangaroos.

young sommeliers, winemaker Adam Foster. Add a spa pool for good

For many years it has been the Lake House cuisine that has led the

measure, and the meal is complete.

way, complemented by an excellent wine list. The wine list has just taken

The luxury resort was founded by Alla and Allan Wolf-Tasker and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. It began life as a 40-seater

another step up with the arrival of Winemaker Adam Foster to head up

weekend-only restaurant – until they discovered diners loved it so much

the heat of kitchens in London and Melbourne in 2002 to the front of

they had trouble getting them to leave. So, rather than call the police,

house and began journeying into the world of wine. Adam has worked

they built a boutique hotel.

honing his skills as a cellar hand with a ‘who’s who’ list of winemakers

Over the years the Lake House has become the premier destination for food and wine lovers, as well as a superb location for weddings and

the skilled service team. Adam, also a well respected chef, moved from

from Australia and France, including Chapoutier, Mitchelton, Domaine Ogier, Jasper Hill and Domaine Pierre Gaillard.

conferences. The elegant restaurant overlooks the lake and epitomizes

Adam’s first wine (Syrahmi Shiraz Viognier 2004, from Heathcote)

the country town of Daylesford. The charming town is one-and-a-half

had good success with specialized wine stores and was quick to find its

hour’s drive north from Melbourne, towards the Macedon Ranges.

way in to leading restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. The few wine

Here birches and maples vie for the limelight with their splendid scarlet,

writers who tasted Syrahmi gave the thumbs up. The wine is an ideal

tangerine and claret hues. Quince trees are laden with furry fruit and

food friendly wine; Adam explained, “Syrahmi combines the French

leaves of cadmium yellow, and signs are everywhere offering breads,

words; Syrah and Amis meaning Shiraz and Friends, simply a wine to

honeys, figs and organic produce. Its neighbouring town of Hepburn

drink with friends”. The region of Heathcote in Central Victoria is today

Springs is an historic village located in the middle of the largest

recognized as one of Australia’s best cool-climate Shiraz growing areas.

concentration of mineral springs in Australia. The springs are full of

It has many similarities to the Rhone Valley – often referred to as the

health-giving minerals that occur naturally in different formulations, giving

home of Shiraz – the warm summers, cool winters and Cambrian soil

every spring a distinctive taste.

offer the perfect conditions to produce great wine. Since its first release

The hotel’s 33 rooms and suites are spread over the six-acre

of 80 dozen, Adam has increased the production to 500 dozen to

grounds. All have enchanting lake views, something you can also enjoy

keep up with local demand and a new interest from London. His 2007

from the mineral water treetop tubs of the new Salus Spa. Whiling away

vintage named ‘The Don’ pays tribute to Adam’s late Grandfather who

the time in one of their suites is like being a million miles away from

encouraged Adam to become a chef.

everything. The Guesthouse Rooms are part of the original homestead

The Lake House wine cellar boasts 600 plus labels from both local

and are all elegantly decorated. Enjoy a quiet read in the spacious

wine regions and benchmark vineyards around the world. Adam has

lounge or on the terraces, or be tempted by a myriad of bushwalking

‘designed the list to be accessible, affordable, diverse, interesting and

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special with an emphasis on local regional wines’. The icing on the cake

With South East Australia going through a five-year drought, at

is the ‘private cellar dining room’, where a hand crafted oak table seats

the Lake House the aim is reducing the amount of water used on the

up to 16 diners – set to enjoy a gourmet experience like no other, all in

property and continuously capturing as much rain water as possible

all heaven for lovers of good living!

in tanks for use on site – rather than sourcing from town supplies. A main focus is also on adopting the practice of responsible energy

Going green at the Lake House

management through reduced consumption and the encouragement of

Over the years hotels have come to terms with how they can do their

energy efficiency throughout the business.

part towards being environmentally friendly. The Lake House adopted

During its 25 years the Lake House has become an important part

a policy of ‘green procurement’ – taking environmental factors into

of the local community. The Wolf-Tasker family encourage staff to

account in all purchasing aspects, sourcing regional produce where

participate in local community projects such as the Daylesford Primary

possible – reducing ‘food miles’.

School Kitchen Garden – which aims to teach children from a young

Where possible, the Lake House staff only source produce that is

age the benefits of growing their own food and how to maintain and

organic and bio-dynamic, and never knowingly use genetically modified

continuously rejuvenate their little plot throughout the years. With these

ingredients. They take every opportunity to reduce waste at the source,

efforts in place there seems little doubt that we can look forward to

re-use waste components, recover and recycle where possible and

another 25 years of harmony and balance at this luxury boutique hotel.

dispose of final wastes by the most environmentally suitable means.

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