No passport required for a visit to this little piece of Italy
By Sue Wallace
The venue
Dal Zotto Homestead and Studios King Valley, Victoria
Check-in
The King Valley wine region in Victoria.Credit: Josie Withers
Swing into the pin oak lined driveway of Dal Zotto Wines, the home of the Australian prosecco pioneers, near the tiny town of Whitfield, and you are set for an Italian immersion – no passport required. The welcome “Buongiorno” sign hints at the warm hospitality and Italian tastes that await. The new-look historic homestead and four smart studios, which opened in September 2023, overlook manicured lawns and cascading vines.
The look
The Dal Zotto Homestead in Victoria’s King Valley.
Built in 1904 as a police residence and relocated to the property, the homestead has been transformed into luxe three-bedroom, three-bathroom accommodation with a spacious kitchen and huge family room with dining and TV areas. The historic charm of original timber floorboards, high ceilings and wide verandahs remains, with elegant interiors by Verity Rhodes Interiors of Albury.
The four well-designed shipping container studios near the homestead have queen-size beds and private decks with individual firepits, electric barbecues and gardens.
The room
The homestead interiors are by Verity Rhodes Interiors of Albury.
Our homestead bedroom is a cosy haven with a king-size bed, leather armchairs, polished floorboards with a textured mat and the signature Dal Zotto yellow throw rug. Next door there’s a reading room and a big bathroom with an antique bath, separate shower and Dindi Naturals products. The living area has an L-shaped couch, perfect for flopping to watch TV, play games or read. French doors open to a wide verandah and there’s an al fresco dining area with a barbecue and firepit at the ready. The well-equipped kitchen has a walk-in pantry and is perfect for making an Italian feast to go with Dal Zotto’s best drops.
Food + drink
The homestead and studios are a short hop to Dal Zotto’s cellar door to taste fabulous prosecco.
No wonder the King Valley attracted many Italian families to the area decades ago – it mirrors parts of Italy. The homestead and studios are a short hop to Dal Zotto’s cellar door to taste fabulous prosecco which Otto Dal Zotto and sons Michael and Christian introduced in 1999. Sip the $20 Signature Prosecco wine tasting or the $15 Red and White wine tasting. The nearby Trattoria that overlooks vines and a huge gum tree is the domain of head chef Nikki Kennedy who creates Italian-inspired menus with silky handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. The Funghi with garlic oil, caramelised onion, baby capers, mushrooms, fresh rocket and truffle oil and the panna cotta are amazing. Antipasto platters and breakfast hampers with muesli, yoghurt, croissants, fresh fruit and Danish pastries can be pre-ordered.
Out + about
The container-style studios.
We hire e-bikes and explore Whitfield, then wander around the thriving vegetable and herb garden of Elena Dal Zotto – Otto’s wife. I swear those tomatoes grow in front of me after recent rains. A game of bocce is fun too. The following day the secrets of Italian treats are revealed by Katrina Pizzini at her A Tavola Cooking School at nearby Pizzini Wines – some of the recipes have been handed down for generations. Katrina makes it all look easy as she shows us how to master tasty pasta and gnocchi plus seasonal sauces and we dine on our efforts.
The verdict
The Homestead especially is perfect for an Italian fix, surrounded by pretty countryside.
Our rating out of five
★★★★½
The essentials
Studios are priced from $230 mid-week and the homestead nightly from $475 for one room to $1040 for the three bedrooms. There is one accessible suite in the homestead. See dalzotto.com.au
Highlight
There’s a dolce vita feel here – sipping prosecco and nibbling antipasto – Italy doesn’t feel so far away.
Low light
The stylish studios are compact, but the fire pit areas add an outdoor extension.
The writer stayed as a guest of Dal Zotto Wines and Victorian High Country.
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