This was published 12 years ago
Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation, Myhrree review: A moonlit taste of Little Italy
Intimate seclusion ... Casa Luna.Credit: Sue Wallace
Sue Wallace is seduced by mountain air at the High Country's Casa Luna.
It's dark as we drive deeper into the King Valley looking for our home for the night - Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation at Myrrhee. We round another corner and there, bathed in moonlight with stars twinkling, sits the aptly named Casa Luna, or House of the Moon, in the foothills of the High Country.
We park outside our room, one of two new king suites, drop our bags and head up to the intimate dining room for dinner at The House.
The aroma from the kitchen, the cosy fire, a warm greeting and a glass of Dal Zotto Prosecco confirm that our decision to bypass roadside takeaways was a wise one.
The lounge room, with floor-to-ceiling windows and polished floors, has an interesting library with inspiring cookbooks and photographs that whet my appetite.
At home on the comfy couches, we enjoy pre-dinner drinks and an appetiser of fennel taralli. One mouthful is enough to know that we are in good hands.
Chef and owner Gwenda Canty and partner David Byles opened Casa Luna in 2002 with two queen-size suites. They have just added new accommodation due to an increasing demand by many wanting an indulgent escape to the country - for a few days at least.
Byles tells us they fell under the spell of this beautiful part of the world after camping by the meandering King River year after year.
So they packed the camping gear away and made the King Valley their home, which they now share with guests. Both lovers of Italian food and fine wine, they have immersed themselves in what is often described as a "little piece of Italy" due to its Italian heritage wine and food culture.
Canty, an accomplished chef and former Melbourne caterer, enjoys showcasing the King Valley's great produce and wine.
Invited to our candlelit table, we dine on fresh asparagus, parsley and parmesan frittatina with Formici prosciutto and a glass of Politini Pinot Grigio 2009. Our main course is peposo of Welsh Black beef and polenta accompanied with Pizzini 2009 Sangiovese.
The main course not only tastes delicious, but also has an intriguing history. According to Byles, peposo is the signature stew of Impruneta, a town south of Florence renowned for its terracotta tiles.
The dish was traditionally made by the tileworkers, who would slip a stewpot into the kiln as it slowly cooled after the firing and their dinner would simmer for hours.
Just when we feel we couldn't indulge in another mouthful, dessert arrives. It's Sgroppino - a dessert drink of lemon sorbet, vanilla bean ice-cream and limoncello with Little Sicilian pistachio sponges. Locally roasted espresso coffee and mint fondants cap off the night.
A game of chess or cards is an option but instead we head across the pebble-stone courtyard and follow the stepping stones to our king suite.
Our room is well designed with every comfort and there's plenty of hanging space and an en suite with Lanvin toiletries. Extra touches include home-made biscotti and a hot water bottle to keep away the chills. We sink into our bed dressed with fine linen and a faux racoon fur throw that adds to the cosiness.
The following morning we wake to a wonderful vista overlooking vines and the beautiful countryside. Inquisitive cows are grazing nearby and we spot several kangaroos enjoying breakfast.
Our suite has a private balcony where we sip coffee and plan our day of winery hopping, debating what's a "respectable" hour to turn up at the first cellar door. We head out for a brisk walk along the quiet country road and admire the rural views, dodging a few kamikaze magpies protecting their young. Breakfast is in the dining room complete with printed menu offering a healthy option of muesli and seasonal fruit drizzled with cumquat honey or an indulgent cooked breakfast - eggs, smoked bacon and vine-ripened tomatoes.
Homemade preserves taste as good as they look on toasted sourdough.
After breakfast we inspect the new outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, which will be fired up in the summer, and hit the petanque court.
Clearly I am not a natural at petanque and I retreat to check out the new sun-filled guest lounge room lodged between the king suites.
It features Philippe Starck lookalike chairs, comfortable couches and a selection of games, books and magazines to keep you occupied all weekend.
It's a great place to chill and gaze at the rural views that have seduced so many to this part of the world - no wonder King Valley folk named its annual food and wine festival La Dolce Vita.
VISITORS' BOOK
Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation
Address 1569 Boggy Creek Road, Myrrhee.
Bookings Phone 5729 7650; see casaluna.com.au.
How much From $195 for two in a queen suite, including breakfast, to $475 for two in a king suite, including a four-course dinner with matched local wines, accommodation and breakfast.
Summary A touch of la dolce vita — the good life.
Getting there Myrrhee is three hours' drive from Melbourne on the Hume Highway. Turn off at Benalla or 3½ hours via the Yarra Valley and Mansfield.
Verdict 18
The score: 19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable.
All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for by Traveller.
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