Food, wine and art combine

VIEWS that overlook Swan Bay, combined with food, wine and art, have shaped Quiddity Place into a Bellarine destination.

From the family that brought Oakdene to the Bellarine, the region’s newest attraction brings together a host of new experiences.

Comprising the Hidden Frog Restaurant, Oakdene Wine Cellar Door, Tin Liz Gallery and its own accommodation, the business is enriched in personality and family, and officially opened on Wednesday this week.

 

General manager and daughter of Oakdene owners Bernard and Liz Hooley, Peta Davis, said Quiddity Place is a hub of different offerings.

“You can spend a day or half a day, or pop in and do a couple of things and come back another day and so something else, hopefully there’s something for everyone.”

Forged from what was once an empty Mannerim paddock, the new venture has been a long time in the making. The search for the property started in 2016 when the family were looking to expand Oakdene’s vineyards.

Upon planting new vines, the long-term vision started to take shape and a dream turned into reality.

“It was nine years ago we bought this property, so there’s been a lot of planning, a lot of setbacks with things, just lots of stuff and lots of red tape,” Davis said.

“It’s just really exciting, it almost doesn’t seem real at the moment, there was a stage where I didn’t think it was ever going to happen, but we’re here and we’re all raring to go.”

In the lead up to the opening, Davis said the most exciting thing would be seeing the movement of people within the space as they make their way through the doors.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing how people use the spaces we’ve provided, what they’re attracted to, where they go, what they order, how it will all work and if it’s going to be how I envisaged.

 

“I think I’m just excited about having people actually come and not sitting in a restaurant by myself every day.”

Oakdene has always been focused on wines. Although keen art collectors, Bernard and Liz had always dreamed of their own art gallery.

“It just never happened until we came over here to expand our vineyard and then everything else pretty much happened after that in the planning,” Davis said.

“The gallery, the cellar door, and then of course, to top it off, you need a restaurant to make people stay and enjoy good food with our wine.”

Art is incorporated throughout the venue, culminating in more than 100 works on display in the Tin Liz Gallery from emerging and established artists.

The Little Tin Gallery also runs alongside the main affair, operating as a dedicated space for local artists to workshop and exhibit their works.

Family influences are intertwined throughout, with Bernard and Liz pouring everything into it and viewing it as their legacy.

 

Davis said people who had visited Oakdene in the past will know the quirky flair and everything there was all her mum’s doing.

“She’s 81 now and her brain still is as bright as ever with putting these things together and how she sees things.

“It’s just been a lot of fun, hard work and everything for her, but she’s been out there every day rain, wind or shine, getting around and directing, watering, doing stuff herself.

“It’s been pretty amazing to watch her to do that.”

Her influence in designing the restaurant is also strong, with a large 4.5m blue frog scaling the outside and inspiring the name Hidden Frog Restaurant.

The kitchen team is led by head chef Dwayne Bourke, whose career spans more than 25 years and includes several award wins.

His creative process begins with the Bellarine itself, with the produce the foundation of everything he produces.

“Hidden Frog is about good food and good company – modern Australian dining with a little European flair, served with warmth and character,” Bourke said.

“Produce is the foundation of everything we do, with such abundance and quality in the area.”

In the Oakdene Wines Cellar Door, visitors can experience a tasting as they overlook the 60 acres of vines that occupy the property or sample some of the current releases.

 

If a wander through the gallery, a meal at the restaurant and a drink at the winery isn’t enough, there is also two self-contained homes that overlook the vineyards and Swan Bay for people wanting to stay on the property.

Davis said Quiddity is a place that makes her smile the moment she arrives; a feeling she is hoping others will share.

“I hope that when visitors arrive, they feel what I feel… happiness.

“I hope they notice all the little touches, the quiddity that we’ve woven into every corner.”

For more information, head to quiddityplace.com.au