Page 38 - Bike City Visitors Guide

A grape day out. Shayne Bricker from Two Figs
Winery at Berry. Photo: Christopher Chan

Wining and dining

Visit a winery and from nearby wine-growing there are a number of boutique
Fancy the good drop? Several areas. distilleries in the Illawarra and
award-winning wineries are near The winery offers a cellar door beyond.
Wollongong such as Crooked experience with seated wine tasting Among them is Headlands
River Winery, Coolangatta Estate, experience which you can pair with Distilling Co - Wollongong’s first
Two Figs Winery, Silos Estate, a local produce plate while taking in distillery. They have made spirit
Mountain Ridge Wines and the views. for their whisky, vodka, gins and
several further afield. Visit a brewery now malt whisky. Free tour each
There is nothing quite like seeing Craft beer and ale lovers are Friday and Saturday - check if
the grapes on the vine to signal you spoilt for choice when it comes to running.
have arrived at a vineyard, and there breweries. There are at least a Dining
are a few to choose close to the dozen right here in the Illawarra, Having a meal out is one of the
Illawarra. while a short drive into the pleasures of life. Wollongong is
Two Figs Winery at Berry is a neighbouring Shoalhaven and one of the most diverse cities in
boutique winery which has picked Southern Highlands regions will Australia and restaurants reflect
up awards including the region’s find even more. this ranging from Chinese and
best small cellar door. Stoic Brewing at Gerringong is a Indian to Mediterranean and
The winery was established in family-owned and operated Australian.
2003 by Shayne and Alison Bricker. brewery started by a local father You can be sure seasonal
Shayne decided to “make a bit of and son, Steve and Andrew in 2018. ingredients are fresh whether from
wine as a hobby,” and the rest, as Here you can enjoy locally brewed the sea or farms.
they say, is history. beer and cider amongst the vats.
The winery now produces They have a large range for sale Bars and clubs
around 5000 cases of premium, both in cans and on tap. After dark, the bars come
hand-crafted wines every year into their own as well as
using fruit sourced onsite, Distillery tour affordable dining options and
including their chardonnay and Whether it is gin, whisky, vodka or activities at local RSL and
cabernet sauvignon vines, another beverage you are after, sporting clubs.
38 ILLAWARRA MERCURY VISITOR GUIDE