The Age Good Food Guide announces its 2012 awards

A slew of the Geelong Otway region’s hottest restaurants were under the spotlight when The Age Good Food Guide announced its 2012 awards. The Australian wine industry equivalent, James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion, has also just released its 2012 edition and the region’s stellar wineries have received unprecedented ratings.

Geelong Winery restaurants Jack Rabbit Vineyard (Bellarine) and Oakdene Vineyeards & Restaurant (Bellarine) wowed the critics. Some of our Great Geelong Wine Pour partners are also recognised - Chris’s Restaurant (Apollo Bay), Scorched (Torquay) and Baveras (Geelong),

In Halliday’s 2012 Australian Wine Companion, more than 81% of Geelong wineries reviewed gained a four-plus star rating. 45% of reviewed wineries achieved the highest possible 5-star rating for “outstanding winery” – an increase of 10% from 2011 - and 13 Geelong wines showcased in Halliday’s ‘Best of the Best’ list.

The region is fast becoming recognised as one of Victoria’s premier food and wine destinations - food lovers can follow self-guided trails and savour the region’s wineries, farm gates, cafes and restaurants as part of the Bellarine Taste Trail and the Otway Harvest Trail. The Toast To The Coast wine, food and music festival (October 29 & 30, 2011) celebrates all that is great about the region, and is yet another opportunity to enjoy its wares.

 “It makes us very proud to see so many local restaurants and wineries excel to the levels they have. If these lists are anything to go by, it looks like the dining habits of Victorians may well be based in the Geelong Otways!” said Executive Director of Geelong Otway Tourism, Roger Grant.  With such a stellar selection of award-winning restaurants, wineries, food producers and farm gates, the region never tasted so good!   Click here for full article