Valente by the Vines is a delightful country retreat.Credit:Bec Haycraft
THE PLACE
Tucked away in the pretty foothills of North East Victoria's High Country,Valente by the Vines,near two historic gold mining towns,is just five minutes to Yackandandah and 20 minutes to Beechworth. Twenty years ago,Dean and Julie Valente moved to the 7.5-hectare property where Dean resurrected a neglected vineyard. He now produces syrah,riesling and rose varietals and Petillant Natural,a natural sparkling wine,at the onsite micro-winery. Valente's beautiful garden has many English trees including European horse chestnuts and Australian natives including grevilleas,wattles and acacia,all bird magnets.
THE LOCATION
Valente by the Vines' kitchen.Credit:Bec Haycraft
Yackandandah,known as Yack by the locals,is a 40-minute drive from Albury Airport serviced by flights from Sydney and Melbourne. It's a three-hour drive from Melbourne.
THE SPACE
The architecturally designed self-contained studio inspired by the tobacco kilns of nearby Myrtleford is perfect for a relaxed,rustic country fix. It's a no-fuss bolthole with corrugated iron exterior and limed pine interior with a soaring ceiling. The open plan includes a kitchenette and narrow timber dining table. The comfortable Danish couch with cushions and throws is ideal for an afternoon of reading,particularly with the wood heater and a stack of timber. There are two orchards and terraced vines on the property's hillside.
THE ROOM
Climb the narrow spiral staircase to the cosy mezzanine bedroom with queen bed and cross-breeze windows. The heavens open during our stay and we watch a spectacular lightning show. The bathroom is downstairs with a spacious shower. My favourite spot is the wooden deck that's carpeted in petals from a paulownia tree and from where we spot the resident koala snoozing in the trees.