Nic C.
Yelp
Our first destination - Foxeys Hangout - forget images of Wind in the Willows-style animal gatherings, the hangout here refers to a large tree on the property that was once 'decorated' with the decaying carcasses of that infamous farmyard predator, the fox. Owners and brothers Tony and Michael Lee have a grainy black-and-white photo of the sinister spectacle on the wall of their cellar door, however, the eerie image is soon forgotten due to the warm welcome, great wines (especially the chardonnay, multi award-winning shiraz and fortified shiraz - the latter, served chilled and with blue cheese, makes for a rich, sticky treat) and superb grazing plates.
The former owners of South Yarra's Argo Hotel - one of the city's first gastro pubs - it's no wonder food plays such a central part here. With nibbles chalked up on blackboard wall, Tony and team turn out Med-inspired plates such as zucchini fritters, roasted capsicum and white anchovies, lamb meatballs and fresh bread dipped in a house-blend pistachio dukkah. Best enjoyed on the terrace, where the grass slopes away to reveal a valley studded with vines. The guys' laid-back approach infuses the place with a relaxed, chatty atmosphere that many other more stuffy wineries in the area could do with adopting. In our humble opinion, that is.
And we haven't even mentioned one of the best bits - personalised sparkling wines? Yep, you heard us right the first time. While Tony tends to the still wines, Michael is busy out back with his méthode champenoise bottlings - transferring them from wooden stills to a deep-freeze (to turn the sediment into a solid), before disgorging and plonking them on the 'laboratory' bench, where visitors can customise their fizz by selecting the level of sugar content and, on a whim, turn the liquid pink with the addition of pinot noir.
Not only that - the bottle is corked, caged and foiled in front of your very eyes, and a certificate issued naming you as a wine stylist. What excitement, and a great gift idea.