In the kitchen garden
Our part of South Gippsland has quite distinct seasons and the gradual lengthening nights of autumn leading to the chill of winter brings to the Church House the harvesting of the end of summer crops, the planting of our winter vegetables and the laying down of preserves to last until the next season.
Winter has come early and somewhat frigidly to south eastern Victoria, and this is evident in the kitchen gardens and orchard. The last of the figs are being poached and dried. The fig jam and fig honey we are making will be a delicious accompaniment to our house made croissants, and of course the fig honey ice-cream which has proven to be such a hit.
Talking of figs, I could not resist using this image of figs by Paulette Tavormina, (www.paulettetavormina.com/), a New York photographer who composes the most beautiful still lives you’ve ever seen; intricate studies of figs and roses and fruit that look more like 17th-century Old Masters’ paintings than something put together on a 21st-century photography studio. Look her up; her images are exquisite!
Garlic, winter brassicas such as Brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbages, onions and lettuce have been planted. The last of the tomatoes are in the kitchen as are the pumpkins. Artichokes plants are both incredibly visually beautiful and delicious to eat! We have lifted, divided and replanted 150 plants into the beds outside of the breakfast terrace.
Garlic, winter brassicas such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbages, onions and lettuce have been planted. To nurture them over winter they are surrounded by sawdust, snail pellets (better to be sure than sorry) for a bountiful supply for our table. The last of the tomatoes are in the kitchen as are the pumpkins. Artichokes plants are both incredibly visually beautiful and delicious to eat! We have lifted, divided and replanted 150 plants into the beds outside of the breakfast terrace. Not to mention their beautiful flowers when left unpicked.
In the orchard and olive grove
The olives have been harvested by hand and delivered locally to the oil press in Fish Creek to be pressed for the oil we use in the kitchen. (It’s a shame I don’t have a photo). You will need to visualise the olives being raked by hand and being caught on an upside umbrella hung from a lower branch! Why you ask? Because of the contraption around each tree to stop the sheep from destroying the trees.
In the vineyard and cellar
The fruit trees and grape vines are being pruned as they enter their winter dormancy, the Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc grapes in our house vineyard being carefully trimmed to develop the best wood for fruit production next year. The aim is to grow sufficient quantity to make 365 bottles per year and to enjoy one per day. We had hoped that this year’s crop would do that but the weather this summer has diminished the crop, so perhaps next season. The wine he has made is quietly maturing in the cellar. Peter has been buoyed by your compliments when having a taste on his own home made Pinots and so a little disappointed at not having a bigger crop.
There is of course no shortage of local wine such as neighbouring Waratah Hills and Berrys Creek’s Bellvale which we often serve to complement our food. Did you know that Waratah Hills have produced a pinot infused Gin – it’s quite special? On a similar note Peter has at last been fully catalogued his cellar (about 1500 bottles) so for those that like a heavier red or an old red – you will be able to choose from a comprehensive selection.
The cellar is also a great space for maturing our house made salami and salumi as well, as well as storing our year’s supply of garlic.
In the Church House
One of the features of the Church House is the eclectic collection of unique decorator items. The bronze figure between the kitchen and the staircase is worth noting. It is a maquette by renown sculptor and friend, Peter Schipperheyn of the work ‘Thus Spake Zarathustra’, a magnificent bronze standing 4.2 metres tall. Now installed on an island in the McClelland Sculpture Park in Langwarrin, ‘Big Z’ was commissioned by the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Sculpture Fund and is part of the permanent collection. Whilst there are some obvious similarities between the two works, our man is less hirsute and a little softer somehow, perfect for a home gallery. As Peter explains: “My figure could only be nude; the body is the ‘spirit’ clothed by flesh, creation conscious of itself, the moment between being and becoming.” www.peterschipperheyn.com.au
