Cassegrain’s award winning wines and renowned locally grown oysters from the New South Wales Hastings region were celebrated at Cassegrain Wines fifth annual ‘Oysters in the Vines’ event on Sunday (24 January) 2010.
Set amongst Cassegrain’s vineyards, blooming roses and manicured gardens, the event featured freshly shucked natural oysters as well as a sumptuous selection of six different dressed oysters, all expertly matched to Cassegrain Wines.
Guests oyster shucking at the Cassegrain ‘Oysters in the Vines’ event
A BBQ in the vines, alfresco menu in The Restaurant and Koolkuna berry ice-cream provided a variety of other food and treats for adults and children. Live family entertainment included a four-piece jazz band Jordan Jive, singer guitarist Richie Gudgeon as well as puppet shows and face painting for the kids.
“Oysters in the Vines is a highlight on our events calendar and is such a great way for us to kick off the New Year. The Hastings region produces some of Australia’s best oysters so it’s gratifying to be able to showcase them matched with our wines,” said chief winemaker and managing director of Cassegrain Wines, John Cassegrain.
Local oyster grower Brandon Armstrong agreed saying they’d been involved with the event for the last two years and had seen it grown bigger and better.
Oyster and wine education at the Cassegrain event
“In previous years we’ve served about 1,000 dozen oysters at the event and this year we’re aiming for more than 1,500 dozen. Armstrong’s will be preparing the more traditional dishes of Oyster Kilpatrick and Oyster Mornay this year and opening oysters fresh on the day as well. It’s great that both locals and visitors alike support the event so well and that we have the opportunity to highlight the region as a premier location for growing Sydney Rock oysters. We’ve purchased new leases up and down the coast so can guarantee a great oyster on the day.”
The Restaurant at Cassegrains and Rydges Port Macquarie prepared unique, innovative oyster dishes as part of the event and special wine and oyster education classes were staged both in the late morning and afternoon.
For further more information on Oysters in the Vines events at Cassegrain Winery click here.
