Winery matures nicely with tasteful expansion

It’s one of the biggest tourism success stories in our region for the past 25 years.

Starting out in 1998 with its first plantings, Gerringong’s Crooked River Estate continues to go from strength to strength, and it’s about to celebrate another significant milestone.

This weekend, the Lloyd family will proudly open its latest addition to the estate. On Saturday, a super-smart multi-purpose function space will open its doors to the public for the first time, for the Kiama I Do Wedding Expo.

It will run from 10am until 2pm.

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the new event spaces this month when we booked in for a family lunch at the exquisite Crooked River restaurant, which surely boasts one of the best rural views in coastal NSW.

It was only after we’d been blown away by the food that I learnt that head chef Dane Tobias had trained under global kitchen superstars Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein in the UK.

Having spent years overseas honing his skills in some of the finest kitchens, Dane returned home to the South Coast, where he’s brought his vast experience and passion for food to Crooked River. Every dish is prepared with meticulous care and you can really taste Dane’s passion and creativity on the plate.

The servers, led superbly by restaurant and function manager Rachel Hoynes, were a masterclass in hospitality; they are there when you need them, and they disappear into the background when you don’t.

The success story that is Crooked River Estate is also a terrific family success story. Take a bow, Rog, Ange, Kate and Soph. Having discovered the beauty of Gerringong all those years ago, they were inspired to make it their home and bring their vision of exceptional wine and hospitality to life.

Thanks to their commitment and investment, we locals get to experience something very special right on our doorstep.

After a memorable lunch gazing across the lush green landscape, we followed the crowd out on to the deck to enjoy more hospitality while being entertained by talented Kiama-based trio Alive N Kickin’.

Live music is such a big part of what’s on offer at Crooked River.

The finishing touches were being added to the new event space, which looks simply stunning. Its elegance and quality fits perfectly with everything else you experience during a visit to the estate.

“The original intention of the design of this building was to improve the amenity across the board, and bring those people out on the hill inside, nice and warm and sheltered in those instances when you’ve got inclement weather,” said Crooked River business development manager Owen Cooper on Facebook.

“Over the project, it has kind of evolved into that cocktail bar aesthetic, arvo drinks, Sunday sesh, where you and your mates can hang out and make a little bit of noise.

“Get a casual burger from the cellar door bar. We can book out the far side over there with pizzas, or you can nestle in here and just look at that view.”

The amazing view was on show at the June long weekend Winter Wine Music Festival, a tradition which started in 2015 and continues to grow. This year, the big crowd rocked to Lime Cordiale, Matt Corby, The Vanns, Sons of the East and many more.

The smartest punters who wanted to avoid a drive or train trip home booked into one of the four modern villas on site. Each of them have two bedrooms, two bathrooms lots of living space and a spacious deck (with a plunge pool) to soak up even more of that view.

Over the cooler winter months, there are some great deals for a two-night stay.

On Saturday July 11, from 6pm, there will be a night of carols and Christmas treats at Crooked River’s popular Christmas in July dinner. Bookings via the website.

Footnote: The author gladly paid his own way while enjoying the fabulous hospitality at Crooked River Estate.