December's Crafty Vino Bus Trip and Wreath-Making Workshop

HAPPY NEW YEAR my Happy Crafters! I hope you've all has a relaxing, creative break and are excited for a year full of fun workshops in 2016.

After all my galivanting around this Xmas I've finally sat down to basque in the memories of that glorious afternoon in December, when some of My Crafternoons biggest fans boarded a minibus for a day of cheese, wine, shopping and crafting.

Our handsome bus driver (my other half) ferried us from Hamilton town centre through fine Western District scenery to two local vineyards and a beautiful vintage emporium.

Our first stop was the highly acclaimed Pierrepoint winery and cellar door in Tarrington, owned by the lovely Jennifer Lacey and her family.

We tried 5 or 6 of their own lovely wines, including their 2011 Pinot Noir which was awarded 94 out of 100 by wine connosoir James Halliday, so it must be pretty execellent! They also stock a range of local produce we were able to sample including chutneys, preserves, vinegars and oils, and even local photography books like Tracy Kruger's Shearing In Victoria's Western District. Jennifer is also only too happy to act as something of a tourist information centre too, giving information and advice on all the local attractions. Call in for a cheese platter and some vino or some homemade cake and a cuppa sometime!

With a case or two of wine safely stored in the bus, we set off towards our next mystery stop- The Byaduk Store! The quaint old shop stocks vintage finds, new homewares, gifts and even plants and local produce. Our lovely host, Robyn, greeted us with ice-cold water, fresh cherries and fruit cake to fuel our retail therapy. We had a little trouble fitting a lovely vintage meat safe into the bus but with an engineer and a farmer on the case we finally got it in! We were even given a box of chocolates for the journey home as a parting gift- this is not your average shop! Go and see Robyn for a cuppa and a browse if you’re near Byaduk, you won’t regret it!