By Danielle Kutchel
If you’re after a unique Yarra Valley drop, look no further than Badger Creek Blueberry Farm.
Established in May 2007, the business has made a name for itself as a provider of all things blueberry, including its 100 percent blueberry wines.
“Blueberry wine is red in colour but closer to a white wine so it is best served chilled,” explains owner and manager Alison Withers.
Varieties on offer include fortified, sparkling, barrel aged fortified and moscato – all made with the farm’s signature blueberries.
For those who prefer an alternative beverage, the farm is also the cellar door for St Ronan’s Cider.
‘Our cider is hand-crafted with real fruit. We have two styles. One is made like champagne which undergoes a secondary ferment in bottle, with both an apple and a pear in this style. The second is a draught style apple cider which is lightly carbonated and sold in stubbies,” Ms Withers says.
“Our wines and ciders stand out as something different to try in an area surrounded by grape variety wines. We are also family run and owned so our customers get to talk directly to the people involved in making the products they try.”
Tastings of cider and blueberry wine are available at the cellar door, as well as space to sit back and relish a glass or two more slowly – perhaps accompanied by house made sausage rolls, cheese and antipasto platters and a seasonal dessert or two.
“Visitors can also taste a selection of our preserves made in house from fruit and veg we grow here on our farm,” Ms Withers says.
The range of preserves is extensive and includes blueberry, raspberry, rhubarb and vanilla, blackberry, boysenberry and strawberry jams, blueberry relish, cauliflower pickle, cumquat marmalade and many more. Frozen berries are available all year round to take home for baked treats, and fresh blueberries can be found when in season from mid-December to early February.
Even out of blueberry season, Ms Withers says the farm is a beautiful place to visit.
“Our cellar door is here at the winery and is a relaxed casual space set up for you to try our wines and ciders and enjoy a regional platter. Sit outside in summer on the patio surrounded by the hills of the Yarra Valley or inside by the fire in winter.”
Badger Creek Blueberry Farm is located at 11 Garnook Grove, Badger Creek, Healesville and is open Thursday – Monday: 10.00am to 5.00pm, and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact them on info@blueberrywinery.com.au or 5962 1601.
