Healesville Hotel
256 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
(03) 5962 4002
Cuisine Modern Australian
WINE LIST Michael Kennedy
WINES ON LIST 400 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($$$ by the glass)
A remarkable Yarra Valley haven for wine lovers for more than a decade, the Healesville Hotel has attained Hall of Fame status for winning Best Pub and Best Beer lists three times each. A dazzling display of Yarra-associated varieties (chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet) features well-established (De Bortoli, Gembrook Hill, Yarra Yering) and less familiar names (Atika, Fikkers, Luke Lambert), along with clever choices from elsewhere. I love the ‘Friends from out of town’ sections. Also, plenty of varieties aren’t particularly associated with the Yarra, such as greco, viognier, marsanne/roussane blends and gamay, nebbiolo, sangiovese and tempranillo. The local gin, Four Pillars, is served, as are local beers and ciders. The list by the glass (and carafe) is predominantly local with resident winemakers showing their own labels – Tom Carson with Serrat and David Bicknell with Bicknell FC and a Gippsland pinot. The Healesville is a delight: comfortable quality food with a local slant and a wine list to live for.