Willunga Creek Wines: In the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia
(text & photos supplied by Sightseeing South Australia)
When David Cheesly immigrated to Australia from England 23 years ago, he would never have guessed that today he would own a vineyard, be newly married and co-directing a restaurant and cellar-door.
After restoring a delightful heritage building in Willunga, husband and wife team David and Julie Cheesly opened The Black Duck Cellar Door Restaurant in January this year, providing a retail outlet for Willunga Creek Wines, which David began from his vineyard in the Willunga Hills 10 years ago.
Visitors to The Black Duck can enjoy modern Australian cuisine, taste local wines, share a cheese platter, or simply indulge in coffee and cake, anytime between 10am and 10pm Wednesdays to Sundays. The restaurant and cellar-door is situated centrally on Hill Street in Willunga, just a stone's throw from the popular farmers' market held each Saturday.
Willunga Creek Wines are grown solely on their vineyard which means they are able to manage and produce high quality wine. The varieties are 2002 Shiraz, 2003, Shiraz, 2002 Cabernet/Merlot, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2003 Merlot.
Their wine-maker Phil Christensen has 14 years experience within the wine-making industry and is known for his superior fruit-driven wine. He carefully overseas the development of the wine right from the initial wine-making through to the bottling and packaging, all done on site at the Willunga Creek Vineyard.
The Black Duck Cellar Door and Restaurant is not exclusive though - visitors can sample other local wines from their well-stocked cellar.
Meals are available Wednesday to Sunday and feature all sorts of tantalising delights such as pan-seared balsamic lamb, tempura prawns, venison and duck. There is also a fabulous tapas menu that allows you to taste all sorts of goodies such as hand-rolled sushi, local cheeses, mini brushetta, olives and more.
Breakfast is available from 8.30am on weekends too, or during the week by appointment. Sit down to a Vintage Breakfast for $12.50 featuring your choice of two eggs, fried, poached, scrambled or boiled, served with bacon, Chipolata sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and freshly baked organic bread.
A visit to the Black Duck Cellar Door Restaurant is a great way to start or finish a day's sightseeing in this wonderful tourist region. Don't miss it!
Willunga Creek Wines
8 Hill Street, Willunga 5172
Ph. (08) 8556 4488
Fax. (08) 8556 4660
