Rock around the Christmas cheer at Basils this July

THE TEAM at Basils Farm are gearing up to host a Christmas in July week from July 24.

The mid-year festive celebration has been inspired by Basils’ café manager, Natalia McLaughlin, who hails from Newcastle.

Natalia’s Scottish partner, Greg, remembers Christmas as a chilly time of year with short days, open fires and mulled wine to warm the body and soul.

The pair say they are both excited to bring some of the UK festive cheer to Basils – the perfect opportunity to experience the Bellarine and indulge in a hearty Christmas feast.

From Wednesday July 24 to Friday July 26, the Swan Bay Café will be offering Christmas inspired dish of the day lunch specials. On the weekend of Saturday July 27 and Sunday July 28, the café will serve a delicious three course Christmas lunch set menu.

The weekend Christmas feast will include entrée choices of farmhouse vegetable soup and spiced chicken salad, a main of roasted turkey, slow roast pork leg or lamb goats cheese roulade, each served with sides. The meal will end with your choice of a decadent sticky fig and date pudding served with vanilla ice-cream and butterscotch sauce or a chocolate hazelnut five-spice pudding with black cherry sauce and chocolate ice cream.

The three-course feast is $30 per person or $38 with a glass of red or mulled wine.

For those interested in an extra special wine tasting, the Basils Farm Cellar Door team have also dusted off some back vintage wines. Every Sunday in July from 3-5pm, visitors can join Basils Farm Vineyard Manager Shane to learn more about the distinctive characteristics of these wines and see how well they have aged. An afternoon with Shane is $10 per person (includes nibbles during tastings).

Basils Farm is located at 43-53 Nye Road, Swan Bay. Bookings for all Christmas in July specials are highly recommended. Visit basilsfarm.com. au/bookings or phone 03 5258 4280.