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LEADING Clare Valley winery Pikes has opened a new state-of-the-art art tasting room and sophisticated new restaurant – Slate. The restaurant and tasting room operate side-by-side in a dramatic new building which blends contemporary design with the traditional materials and colours of the historic family-owned estate. The family chose the name Slate for the new high-end eatery as Pikes Polish Hill River Estate and the entire Polish Hill River Valley sit on an ancient bed of slate which was laid down more than 500 million years ago in the Neoproterozoic era. It is a critical element that gives Polish Hill River wines, particularly riesling, their unique characteristics and identity. Max Stephenson has been named as head chef and joins Pikes from the Source at MONA, in Tasmania, where he was executive sous chef for five years.
The restaurant offers a contemporary modern Australian menu that draws influences from various Mediterranean cuisines and will focus on both locally and ethically grown produce to supplement vegetables from the kitchen garden. A dedicated art space within Slate will feature local Mintaro artist Jen McDonald, while diners will enjoy views of the vineyards of the Polish Hill River Estate. There is an al fresco dining area for warmer months, while the cellar is an intimate private dining space and houses museum wine. The new facility connects with the existing Pike Beer Company brewery and includes a new beer garden that will offer a casual lunch option available seven days per week. Pikes Wines tasting room is now open and trading seven days from 10am-4pm. Pikes Beer Co. Beer Garden will be open seven days from Saturday, 11am-3.30pm and Slate is open Friday-Monday, noon-3pm. Visit www.pikeswines.com.au.