HOT: Boynton’s Feathertop Winery, Porepunkah

Boynton's Feathertop Winery is one of the best places to take kids if you're visiting Bright and the surrounds. Not only are the facilities very well-catered for children of all ages, adults can enjoy the magnificient mountain views and great food and wine knowing that the kids are well-entertained. During school holidays Boynton's even hold activities for kids including jumping castle, games and craft activities.

The winery is a family owned and operated and is renowned for their award winning cool climate wines, though I urge you to move beyond the wine cellar and stay for lunch.

There are two options for lunch – a sit down meal at Feathertop Alfresco Dining Restaurant (open Spring – Autumn) on the terrace or picnic with a local produce deli platter lunch. I highly recommend having a sit down meal – the food is seasonal and sophisticated (though there's a simple children's menu too), the food comes quickly and the staff are very accommodating with children.

To start there is a complimentary loaf of fresh bread. It is dangerously addictive but don't fill up on it! It was useful in keeping Baby 2.0 happy in his high chair.

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Proudly Porepunkah Lunch Menu is the best value, offering two courses of your choice for $48. While the executive chef is Japanese and there are Asian elements to the menu, to start T and I shared a classic French dish – Tawonga South rabbit terrine, rabbit and pork rillettes, radish, cornichons, onion jam and house-made brioche roll ($22). I found the terrine a bit too firm for my liking but the shredded rilletes paired perfectly with the fluffy bread.

For mains we both chose the duck. It came with not one, but two generous roasted duck breasts served with a refreshing salad of shaved fennel, quinoa, apple and whole roasted hazelnut salad offset with a lightly spiced star anise jus ($36).

Lady AB enjoyed her spaghetti bolognese just as much and we took home leftovers for dinner that night. Pretty good value for $15 and you get a generous serve of ice cream for dessert as well. 

Our dessert was a beautiful Dark Chocolate Duo platter with a ramekin of rich mousse, a warm brownie, hazelnut praline and a pouring of vanilla crème fraiche  ($16).

Finally, my favourite part about Boynton's is actually the fact that you can cycle there! The winery is accessible via the very flat and reasonably scenic Rail Trail from Bright and as it's only around 10km it's a short enough ride for little ones being towed along (or older kids on their own bikes).

HOT Tips:

• pram access;
• high chairs;
• colouring in activities;
• playground with gate;
• disabled toilets with pram access;
• change table;
• school holiday activities; and
• free parking on site.

Boynton's Feathertop Winery, 6619 Great Alpine Rd, Porepunkah +61 3 5756 2356

Feathertop Alfresco Dining Restaurant
Thursday – Monday 12:00pm -3:00pm
Open from September to May. Bookings are essential.

Cellar Door
10:00am -5:00pm
Open everyday except Christmas Day