126 Hamersley Rd, Caversham
Phone: (08) 9377 1805
www.riverbankestate.com.au
Wine and Food, Hand in Hand
Want to enjoy great food and wine in a peaceful and relaxing setting? Head off West Swan Road in the Swan Valley and you will come across a delightful vineyard and restaurant called RiverBank Estate.
Here lies an attractive building with wide verandahs where guests can sit and enjoy the sweeping view across green luscious vineyards. Inside there is a tasting area in a light, spacious room overlooking the vines.
On our visit we began with the Seared Scallops, crushed lemon peas, crispy pancetta, avocado and truffle froth. This was a delightful combination with the scallops so tender and flavour of the pea mash making it the perfect accompaniment. Adding to the joy was the Riverbank Estate 2007 Verdelho, it lifted the flavour of the scallops making it more lemony, fresh and crisp.
Next followed the seared chicken fillet with caramelised shallot, blue cheese and walnut cous cous, sweet cherry tomato and red wine dressing. This was a well thought out dish, with each mouth full packed with interesting tastes and texture. The seared chicken was superbly matched with the 2007 Chenin Blanc.
All the food so far was delightful but the piece de resistance was the Gourmet Board. Thiese are available Monday to Friday.
We chose the Red Gourmet Board and were blown away by the presentation and the taste sensations. The menu description belies the physical experience. It reads: “3 sample dishes from our menu served with a half standard serve of each of the matched wines.”
Well matched they certainly were. The raw, finely sliced Tataki of Peppered Venison was matched with the Riverbank Estate 2005 Shiraz causing the flavours to burst in the mouth. The pear salad was a perfect accompaniment, fresh and pleasantly sweet.
The Five Spiced Roasted Duck Breast with orange glaze was delicious and the Riverbank Estate 2004 Celebration Red blended perfectly, its cherry flavour enhancing the tender meat and glaze.
My favourite, the Fillet of Beef topped with a divine sweet red onion marmalade along with the Riverbank Estate 2005 Cabernet Shiraz Merlot melded in my mouth – amazing. The garlic field mushrooms and truffle mashed potato with horseradish hollandaise added to my joy!
I have to mention the Frozen Chocolate Parfait, being a chocaholic. Whoa! This would satisfy any of the abovementioned- smooth and creamy, yet with a rich chocolate flavour, and served with muscat soaked raisins. The glass of the Riverbank Estate Fortified Muscat added to my delirium – my addiction truly satisfied.
I spoke to the executive chef, Irish born, Fred Kirby who cooks the restaurant’s full range of meals and uses home produce including their wines. He said everything cooked at Riverbank was made fresh and added patrons would always receive good quality food, cooked well.
The Staff were attentive and pleasant, without being intrusive. They were knowledgeable about the menu and wine list and went out of their way to make our dining experience at the RiverBank Estate an enjoyable one.
We also met the winemakers, Robert and Lyn who started Riverbank around 15 years ago. Robert said they had just been taking the cabernet grapes off and the fruit was of good quality, adding their theme is always matching food and wine. They also have regular food evening where five or more courses are served with two wines for every course.
Riverbank Estate is open daily for lunch with breakfast on Sundays. Their cellar door is open seven days a week from 10.00am.
By Frances Myshell
