Re’em Yarra Valley at Helen & Joey Estate

THE VERDICT

Re’em Yarra Valley is a unicorn, in more than one sense of the word.

The restaurant hotel combo at Helen & Joey Estate at Gruyere is not only named after the ancient Biblical word for unicorn, but it truly is one. The estate is one of the few Yarra Valley wineries to offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation and of course, wine.

Complete with unicorns dotted around the grounds, the estate was part of a campaign to create more accommodation in the Yarra Valley, allowing visitors to soak up more than they would on just a day-trip. But on the grounds, there’s so much to see and do as is. 

Experiences start with lunch and paired wine tastings and a cellar door visit, then into the room for an afternoon sojourn, and a return to the stunning restaurant for dinner where you can indulge in classic, French-style cooking with a Chinese flare, true to the owners’ heritage.

Lunch overlooking the vines is a gratifying affair with a variety of local cheeses, terrines, oysters, snacks and full plates on offer, thoughtfully matched with wines by the taste, glass or bottle. 

The distinct terroir of the Yarra Valley comes through the new world drops from a variety of labels. Deep rich cabernets or a syrah are there to comfortingly accompany heavy proteins, while for lighter snacks their briochey-creamy Re’em blanc de blanc sparkling, made in the same manner as champagne is an absolute must.

Connected to the restaurant are 16 boutique rooms which overlook the estate’s centre piece, an ornamental lake and fountain, and then beyond onto 80ha of vines. 

The rooms, complete with an indulgent oversized bath for two are grandly appointed with balcony and lounge areas, and finished with edgy touches like artistic lamps by Haecceity Studio.

Back in the dining room for dinner, the floor to ceiling windows showcase the vines and estate at dusk. Larger groups will be perfectly at home under a mesmerising concentric light installation, or couples in intimate booths taking full advantage of the views. 

The four-course set menu dinner is decadent, think dishes like Aurum duck with duck dumplings, cucumber, peking sauce and szechuan kipfler potatoes paired with a cabernet, or buckwheat gnocchi, mushroom ragu and doubanjiang and clever desserts like pineapple coconut tart with a scoop of pandan ice cream.

If dinner wasn’t enough, the breakfast offerings are rival to any inner-city cafe, with Belgian-style waffles and fruit for the sweet tooth, to the full avocado, roast carrot hummus and poached egg we all love and respect. For those after a sleep in, have a continental breakfast delivered to your door and relax and enjoy the views.

Re’em itself is ideal for couples seeking a romantic weekend away, but if you’re keen on a day trip, the light-filled lobby and tasting area is the perfect spot to sample the wines and watch the coming and going tours for the day.

The Yarra Valley is Australia’s most visited wine region, and when it’s only 45 minutes from Melbourne and hosts such incredible venues as the Re’em Winery and Helen & Joey Estate, it’s easy to see why.

Book your experience here.

Image: Helen & Joey Estate | Supplied
Words: Navarone Farrell

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