Why We Have A Whole Lot Of Summer Lovin’ For Bendooley Estate in Berrima
We are soooo ready for summer in the Highlands because we are sooooo ready to kick back and shake this year off with some serious socialising, eating out, catching up and basically enjoying life!
And one of the awesome places to do that in the Southern Highlands is Bendooley Estate in Berrima.
They’ve been busy in 2021 using all that spare time they unceremoniously ended up with, creating some pretty spectacular spaces and experiences for us Highlanders.
Here’s why we’ll be heading there for the festive season and beyond….
Super stylish new cellar door [with a fire pit!]
When we all reappeared bleary eyed from lockdown in October, the Bendooley Estate team revealed their gorgeous new Cellar Door building – JUST what the isolation doctor ordered, we say!
It’s a combination of the things that make Bendooley Estate so amazing – great wine, delicious food, stunning art, beautiful architecture, perfect vistas and a relaxed but super chic Highlands atmosphere – it’s all rolled into the one spot at the Cellar Door.
It’s open for wine tastings, matched with Cheese + Charcuterie boards – during the day from 10am.
And the doors open for dinner on Thursday, Friday + Saturday evenings from 6:30pm.
You can soooo see yourself here sipping wine and eating delicious food with a bunch of lovely friends on a perfect Highlands night, right?
We can!
And we will!
Long lunches in the Book Barn
The super popular [+ a favourite for many locals and visitors] restaurant in the Book Barn is perfect for settling in for a long lunch or catching up with friends and family.
We love being surrounded by all of the books, and we also love the extensive menu.
Such a great mix of casual but delicious, rustic but elegant and always tasty options – from fresh salads and deli boards through to pizzas and seasonally fresh mains [and the side dishes are pretty darn delish – the wood charred cauliflower with white miso dressing is soooo good].
And of course desserts like coconut parfait with pina colada cremeux, lime, pineapple and caramel sauce make it all worthwhile…..if that’s not summer in a glass, we don’t know what is!
It’s a bibliophiles paradise
We are biiiiig fans of books at The Fold – voracious readers with quite the range of genre preferences in our office!
So when you mix a whole lot of our favourite things together – wine, awesome food, a great atmosphere – and wrap that up with shelves and shelves [literally – hehe] of books, we can’t resist.
If you haven’t visited the Berkeluow Book Shop yet, you are in for a treat.
There’s just released titles, historical books, beautiful coffee table books, rare, collector’s items….so. many. books.
Put it on the list for a regular visit and treat yourself and the family to a book or two for relaxing over the summer with.
And read our article here on the fascinating history of this incredible family business and how it all started.
Cracker of a spot for pre-Christmas catch-ups [see what we did there?]
We are VERY ready to slide on into the festive season with a few celebratory catch-ups – we’ve got plenty of time to make up for, right?
Take a seat on the terrace in the main restaurant for a long lunch, have a fun wine tasting at the new Cellar Door or gather with close friends for dinner under the gaze of Natalie Miller’s incredible tapestry in the Cellar Door dining space…..you have choice here [which is handy if you’re the designated organiser!]
Oh, and heads up the new Cellar Door has a private dining room perfect for small groups having festive catch-ups – how gorgeous is this space?
Next level wedding and special event venue
It’s one of the most popular wedding venues in NSW and its easy to see why when you have venues like The Book Barn, The Cellar Door and The Stables to choose from to tie the knot!
But it’s not just about weddings, the Bendooley Event team cater for all sorts of events from corporate dinners to social events or private dining. Any style and any size!
Image :: Gavin Cato Photography
It’s ridiculously good looking and soooo Instagrammable
If you’re influencer vibe is high [+ even if it’s not], FYI you can’t take a bad photo at Bendooley Estate!
Sprawling vineyards, architecturally stunning buildings, super stylish décor, rolling green hills in the background, gourmet and oh-so Instagrammable creations……this place absolutely sparkles during the golden hour when that sun is setting behind the hill.
Probz why it’s a firm favourite among wedding photographers.
And why we tend to fill up our own social feeds and camera roll when we’re there!
And who hasn’t tried to climb on this corkscrew and get a pic?
Nope? Just us??
Image :: Magnus Agren Photography
Somewhere to rest your head
Who’s up for a staycation this summer?
Yep, stay in your own backyard and support our local businesses even more by booking overnight accommodation at Bendooley Estate.
Lock in a romantic mid-week getaway with your significant other [or by yourself if you’ve spent quite a bit of time with said significant other during lockdown!].
Organise a fun group to stay in one of the other large cottages. With everything on your doorstep – food, wine, books……you won’t have to leave!
Unique events
Prior to the pandemic, these guys were rocking out some fabulous events in The Stables. Wonderful live performances from well-known muso’s like Tim Freedman, everyone’s favourite Highlands dad and grandad, Jimmy Barnes and unique performers like Baby et Lulu.
They’ve also hosted the Bowral Long Lunch – an amazing annual fundraiser – for a number of years [always such a huuuuge success} and many more special events with local, Australian and international guests.
We can’t wait for their Special Event Program to start up again!
Date night destination
ANYONE would be impressed if they were brought on a date here.
If you’re looking to impress early on in the peace, or if you need to dust off some romantic cobwebs after a few years in the trenches together, book a table for lunch or dinner [or both if you’ve booked yourself some accommodation!] and reconnect.
See what we mean? So much to eat, drink, read, stay, love about Bendooley Estate.
We see balmy nights in summer dresses and sandals sipping wine with lovely friends in our future….
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