Image: Basalt Riesling © Basalt Wines
In our last story, we looked at the volcanic history of the bays behind our abalone aquaculture farm, part of the Newer Volcanic Province, and promised to return with a post about our volcano-inspired neighbours, including Volcano Produce, Basalt Wines and Noodledoof Distillery, who make a volcano-inspired gin.
Basalt Wines
10 minutes from Port Fairy, Basalt Wines is named after the black volcanic rock. Basalt Wines describes their award-winning offering as ‘...cool climate wines, risen from the volcanic soil of the Great Ocean Road.' With a café and cellar door, you can visit their Killarney location or online store.
Shane recommends the bright and fresh Basalt Riesling with or in your abalone dish – and they’ve just bottled their new vintage.
Image: Spray-free garlic from Volcano Produce © Volcano Produce
Volcano Produce
A couple more kms down and across the road, you can find Volcano Produce, remarkable for the colour of the volcanic soils these beautiful vegies are grown from as well as the colourful range of produce.
There’s a roadside stall here – you can also find Volcano Produce at local markets including the Port Fairy Farmer’s Market and Warrnambool’s Fresh Market, and online.
Some classic abalone pairings available at the farmgate include garlic, chilli, mushrooms and – depending on the season – beautiful stir fry and salad ingredients from bok choy to heirloom radishes.
Volcano Produce also sources a great range of products from other local producers – with ingredients that pair perfectly with abalone such as black garlic salt or olive oil.
Image: Award-winning Koroit Gin from Noodledoof © Noodledoof
Noodledoof
On the other side of the volcano, in the township of Koroit, Noodledoof craft brewery and distillery’s award-winning Koroit Gin is inspired by Koroitj (Tower Hill) too. Noodledoof works with local Worn Gundidj Bush Foods to source native botanicals for their range of spirits, including correa hand-picked from inside the volcanic crater, mountain pepper from the Otway ranges and lemon myrtle. Koroit Gin is further blended with juniper, coriander, oranges and fresh lemon.
Fun fact: Noodledoof has featured abalone wontons on their café menu!
Coming up – a recipe for abalone shell-rested gin, and a visit to Budj Bim Heritage Landscape: ancient aquaculture systems from ancient lava flows.
