Stringybark Winery, Chittering

Established in 1985 and part of the Chittering Valley Farm Flavour Trail, Stringybark Winery is an easy fifty-minute drive from Hillarys Boat Harbour via Tonkin Highway. The final leg is a meandering red dirt road through the vines.

Stringybark’s exterior looks like an old cottage with a large outside area that has a very contemporary feel. It was open and undercover but although it was slightly cooler than the recent 40+ days, the temperature was still high enough for us to head indoors.

Inside, the dark wood on the floors, ceiling joists, tables and chairs all add to the vibe of visiting grandparents for Sunday dinner! There was even a log fire – unlit of course but it would be lovely in the wintertime.

Just as we arrived, a guest who wasn’t feeling well had to go and sit in her car. Despite being very busy, the staff stepped up to look after the guest’s baby who was not the slightest bit bothered at being taken from table to table while orders were being given.

Before lunch, we had a complimentary wine tasting which was run by a very competent staff member who definitely knew her product. Stringybark has its own range of award-winning wines including the 2018 Verdelho and the 2017 Cabernet Shiraz.

After our friends arrived we were shown to our table where we had a bit of a dilemma – should we order from the extensive menu or take something from the large specials board?

Eventually, we all decided that the specials board was the way to go – three of us chose the brisket with roast potatoes and vegetables ($38.50) and the solitary holdout went for the grilled salmon with sautéed potatoes, tomatoes, green beans and a hollandaise sauce ($42). All meals were rustic but well presented and the portion sizes were very generous. The eight-hour slow-cooked brisket was a real treat, which we all enjoyed, and the salmon was cooked to perfection.

For dessert, the ladies chose the crème Brulee with ice cream ($14), while the men chose apple crumble ($14) and vanilla ice cream ($7). Unfortunately, the custard in my crème Brulee was lumpy. I was offered another but decided to just finish the lovely ice cream. This item was quietly removed from our bill and that just elevated my opinion of Stringybark – great service and great food.

As well as lunch and dinner, Stringybark serves breakfast from 9am on Sundays and has takeaway and delivery options. There is also live music every Sunday from 3pm.

Address: 2060 Chittering Road, Chittering

Phone: 08 9571 8069

Reservations: Yes

Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 12 noon onwards, Sunday, 9am onwards

Gluten-free options: On request

Vegetarian options: Yes

Restrooms: Clean and accessible, just outside the restaurant

Parking: Plenty of parking outside the restaurant

Website: www.stringybarkwinery.com.au

About Hazel Broomhead

My name is Hazel and I am a Perth senior!

Originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, my husband and I moved to New Zealand with our children in 1974. As my husband is in the oil business, we moved to several other countries including the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan during the next 36 years before retiring to Perth.

We have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who live in different parts of the globe – New Zealand, Scotland and Colombia - which makes a great excuse for us to travel and visit.

My career background is in radio and print journalism in Scotland and New Zealand as well as public relations in various other countries.

We love to eat out, walk, travel and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle here in Western Australia.