Neila: Amid the barrels

As the 2009 Sydney International Food Festival unfolds across NSW lovers of fine food and wine will experience gastronomic surprises as dinners will be hosted in many unexpected places.

This year, hatted restaurant Neila is teaming up with one of Cowra’s leading winemakers, Windowrie Estate, to present ‘Neila: Amid the Barrels’.

Neila’s legendary combination of Greek and Chinese heritage will be on show within the winemaking corridors of the Windowrie winery. Set amongst the idyllic Windowrie barrel hall, guests will be able to enjoy a procession of innovative hand held dishes matched to Windowrie’s award winning, regional wines.

Neila offers its guests a culinary journey across the region by adhering to the 100 mile principle. This philosophy of using produce that has been grown within the region ensures that all the meals are pristine and fresh. Not only does it showcase the beautiful food that the Cowra and Canowindra region grows, it contributes to the sustainability of the region; a key passion of both Neila and Windowrie’s O’Dea family.

In 2009 the O’Dea family is celebrating 50 years in the region. It was in 1959 when a youthful and enthusiastic David O’Dea purchased the Windowrie property. In 1988, with his wife Wizz, and their young family, the O’Dea’s planted 30 acres of vineyard in the fertile Canowindra valley. Since then they grown their vineyards and resurrected the historic Mill, lovingly converting it into their tasting room and cellar door.

Windowrie was also the first winemaker to build a winery in Cowra and has since gone on to win a range of impressive awards for its wines. Most recently, Windowrie’s ‘The Mill’ Sangiovese 2006 was awarded a gold medal and trophy for the ‘Highest scoring alternative red blend of variety’ at the Brisbane Fine Wine Festival.

Neila is the first and only Cowra restaurant to receive a SMH Good Food Guide Hat Award and has done so each consecutive year since the 2003 guide. Neila is also the only Cowra Restaurant to feature in the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide every year since 2003.

Both Neila and Windowrie invite guests to join them for this feast of the region; to experience the wonderful produce that the region offers, expertly and innovatively presented by the region’s only ‘hatted’ restaurant and expertly complemented by Windowrie’s wine.

When : Sunday 25/10/09
Time : 12.30pm – 3pm
Bookings : (02) 6341 2188 or
eat@neila.com.au
Price: $98 per person
Venue :
Windowrie Winery
Windowrie Road
Billamari