Bimbadgen Estate is one of the beautiful vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Gorgeous white rose bushes line the winding driveway, which snakes it’s way up the hill past the vines. Each time we visit the Hunter Valley we stop by the cellar door to purchase some of the Bimbadgen wines. Today, we are also enjoying a meal at Esca, Bimbadgen’s Restaurant.
Bimbadgen is a James Halliday 5 star Vineyard. They have a host of award winning wines in their collection. We selected the above wines for purchase, and joined the membership club which gives us a mixed box of wine twice per year. Then we made our way upstairs to the restaurant Esca for lunch. After sampling all the wines I knew I wanted to order a glass of the Sparkling 2012 Blanc de Blancs to accompany my meal.
I first became aware of the Bimbadgen wines whilst enjoying High Tea at Chateau Elan in the Hunter. The Bimbadgen Sparkling Semillon was part of the beverage option and I loved it!
Our waiter brought warm olive and rosemary bread to the table. They were crispy on the outside and deliciously light and fluffy on the inside. The soft pats of salty butter melted instantly as we smothered the bread.
I reluctantly sacrificed all but a bite of my bread to the children. I figured we had made them wait quite a while for lunch as we did our wine tasting. They were famished.
The waiter explained the Esca menu and brought sparkling water to the table. I instantly knew what I would choose.
I was sipping my wine and enjoying the view when the waiter returned with an Amuse Bouche for the table. Sweet Caramelised figs, served with whipped cream cheese, prosciutto and a sliver of olive. The flavour combination was amazing, creamy smooth, sweet with a slight smokey flavour from the charred honeyed fig. What a beautiful start to the meal.
Brett ordered the 2012 Young Vine Shiraz to accompany his Braised Beef Short Ribs. The short ribs had been slow cooked and glistened with a sticky glaze. I watched Brett touch the fork to the meat and separate the fibres with no effort. He offered me a taste and it was everything I knew it would be. Creamy mash, moist meat so rich sticky and salty. The meal was the ultimate in homely comfort food.
I had ordered the Pork Belly with Baked Apple and Sweet Potato. The lush moist pork belly was served with a fabulous sticky glaze. Cubes of baked sweet potato adorned the plate and the meal was served on another smear of pureed sweet potato mash. The dish was topped with a pistachio crumb which worked really well with the sweet baked apples.
The kids both chose the Tempura Barramundi with smashed creamy pea puree. There was a discussion before the meal arrived. The kids were so hungry Anais said to Locky.
“I hope our meals are plated terribly so mum doesn’t want to photograph them first!”
Hehe! Oh the pain of being a Gourmet Getaways child.
Anyway, as you can see the kids had to wait for me to photograph their meal too.
The Barramundi was fabulous! So crisp and crunch on the outside and deliciously moist barramundi cocooned inside the shell. Needless to say the kids devoured their meal too.
We enjoyed a thoroughly relaxing and delicious meal at Esca Restaurant. It would be hard not to enjoy a meal here each time we visit the cellar door.
Esca Bimbadgen
790 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSWPh: 02 4998 4666
