BEST IN COFFEE (Coffee) 22/23 SOUR POWER (Beer) 24/25 COLLABORATION BEERS (Beer) 26/27 REISLING (Wine) 28/29 THE SAUSAGE KING – BUTCHER V BUTCHER (Food) 30/31 A BUDDING INDUSTRY (Food 32/33 CUSTODIANS OF THE SEA (Food) 34/35 MAXIMISE THE USE OF YOUR COMBI OVEN (Industry) 36/37 TAKE A BITE OUT OF WA (Industry) 38/39 2022 GOLD PLATE AWARDS (Awards) 40/41 2022 R&CA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE (Awards) 42/43 A TASTE OF DENMARK (Travel NOT YOUR EVERYDAY SHARON (Celebrity Chef) 50/51

Castelli Estate

A Taste of Denmark

Lined with quirky cafes, galleries and boutiques, the township of Denmark might be bite-sized, but the region itself feeds the soul and satiates the appetite. Often bundled into the Margaret River Region, Denmark is actually part of the Great Southern Region and holds its own for wineries, skyscraping forests, emerald green lagoons, nature’s pantry, picturesque stays, inspired artworks and a few tasty treats in between.

Show-stopping scenery aside, our pick of Denmark’s best gourmet experiences and attractions can be covered over a four-day itinerary – or longer if you’re lucky. From Perth, take Albany Highway south for 420 kilometres, and before you know it, you’ll be careening through the Great Southern in search of your next great feast.

DAY 1

Start the five-hour drive from Perth early to give yourself enough time for lunch at The Lake House Denmark. Embracing the philosophy of slowing down to the natural speed of life, this is the perfect spot to start your holiday while luxuriating by the lake. Order a vineyard platter featuring locally sourced goodies such as Mt Barker smoked chicken, Vinofood condiments or Dellendale cheese, accompanied by their signature wine. Before leaving this stunning spot, stock up on gourmet treats at the on-site Vinofood shop or spoil yourself with their natural Lake Botanicals skincare range.

It’s time to check in at the BIG4 Denmark Ocean Holiday Park, conveniently located near the town centre and many restaurants, wineries and attractions. Nestled in Wilson Inlet and on the Nullaki Peninsula, various accommodation options suit all budgets, from

contemporary three and two-bedroom chalets and cabins to powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites. The kids will love roaming with kangaroos almost as much as the jumping pillow, playground, pedal bikes, tennis and mini golf. As your accommodation is selfcontained and there is a well-equipped camp kitchen for the campsites, you can prepare your own meals with locally-sourced produce or follow some of the dining suggestions below.

With your accommodation sorted, stretch your legs at Ocean Beach, a short walk away. Explore one of the region’s largest estuaries roaming with wildlife and an assortment of bird species, including pelicans and the iconic black swan, after all, the inlet is known as Koorabup, meaning ‘the place of the black swan’ in the Noongar language. Cast a line and try your luck with whiting, trevally or snapper, or join a local fishing charter. For unique photos, follow the 12 kilometre Wilson Inlet Trail, which is part of the Munda Biddi Trail and have an adventure on Crusoe Beach.

Tonight, let’s dine at Boston Brewery for a hearty chicken parmi, woodfired pizza or their Asian-inspired dishes, such as five-spiced duck or Thai pork salad. Sample the vibrant Peaceful Bay Seasonal Pale Ale or the pilsner-style Boss Premium Lager. Or experiment with the big tropical fruit flavours of the Squeeze ABV New England IPA, the raspberry tartness of the Afterglose Raspberry Gose, or the spicy Tingletop Ginger Beer.

DAY 2

Before starting today’s epic adventure, grab your esky for all the gourmet delights we’ll be collecting along the way, then caffeinate over a light breakfast at Ravens Coffee in Denmark’s township. As the only roasters in the region with an attached café, naturally, you’ll want to try their specialty coffee sustainably sourced from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Owner Nick Raven shares, “We serve quality food such as bagels, frittatas and toasties designed as ready-to-go or to dine-in.” While in town, pick up extra supplies to be prepared at your accommodation from the Denmark Butchers, the Denmark Bakery and IGA Fine Food Market. It’ll be hard to resist Darkside Chocolate for a selection of handcrafted chocolates or gourmet tarts. As a successful winemaker for decades, Darkside Chocolate owner John Wade turned his hand to chocolate-making using the highest quality couverture and sustainably sourced cacao beans.

With silky chocolate still coating your palate, head west for about 15 minutes to the iconic Denmark Good Food Factory. Situated on 37

BIG4 Denmark Ocean Holiday Park

This family owned brewery and winery is a must visit tourist destination.

Boston Brewing Co & its sister business Willoughby Park (winery) are located 3km from the heart of town towards Albany. This family friendly venue offers meals from 11am through to dinner daily and has an extensive playground and beer garden to keep the kids happy whilst the parents enjoy a meal.

The operational brewery can be seen through the restaurant and has a large range of beers on tap, including gluten free options. The brewery also offers limited editions and freshly brewed special releases. Willoughby Park wines are available to sample and both beer and wine is available for takeaway.

opening hours tues-sun: 11am – 9pm kitchen closes 1 hour prior public holidays: check prior to arrival 678 South Coast Hwy. Denmark (3.5 kms towards Albany)

book online

acres in William Bay National Park, the word ‘good’ doesn’t do this iconic destination justice. Operated by Jon and Gill Atkinson, they have put the region on the foodie map with their product lines, including Elephants Rock Cider Co, The Right Distillery, The Toffee Factory and an array of sauces and preserves with their A Bit on the Side range. Everything is made on-site, including the tempting offerings at the ERCC Burger Bar, finished off with an unexpected round of 18 holes of soccer golf. The husband and wife duo share, “Everything is handmade on-site, and you may even see the busy elves busy at work. All self-control is to be left outside.”

You can’t visit the region without admiring Elephant Rocks in William Bay National Park; the huge granite boulders jutting out of the ocean shaped like a herd of elephants playing in the waves. Climb the sheltered cove, being very careful as it can be wild but worth it for the scenery. Then clamber over more boulders to the sheltered Greens Pool bay, and swim and snorkel in the calm water that sparkles emerald green.

For dinner tonight, you’re in for a real treat. Approximately 10 minutes from town, the 880-acre family-run farm named Raintree is home to 450 black Angus cows, 2,500 French black truffles, marron and over eight acres of commercial Cannabis sativa crops – yes, you read that right. Also on-site is The Dam, famed for its Cannabis Botanical Distillery (CBD), using hemp harvested onsite to handcraft gin and vodka. If you visit during the day, take a distillery tour or get creative on a mixology masterclass. But even if you arrive after sunset, go all out with a cocktail like the Blood Orange Sour crafted from CBD Gin, or the Raintree Espresso Martini made from CBD Vodka. Or grab a carton of their CBD

Ginger Beer to be savoured at your accommodation as the sun slips away.

The Dam’s seasonal menu is updated every three months, but in terms of signature dishes crafted by Chef Jason Jujnovich, owner Chelsea Beaton recommends, “Our 300-gram scotch fillet steak with half a marron on top, our roasted local marron or hemp seed dukkha and fresh local sourdough. This summer, our beef carpaccio is coming back on the menu, which was a hit last season.” Follow with A Little S’more dessert made with marshmallows and CBD Vodka. What a way to end the day, perhaps only topped with a moonlight stroll along Ocean Beach.

DAY 3

Located in an old butter factory in the heart of Denmark town, Mr Jones Café is a favourite among the locals who call this region home, drawn to the area for its natural beauty and pristine environment, further attributing to the outstanding produce. Mrs Jones welcomes you to linger and order a second latte and then meander through this sprawling character building to the Butter Factory Studios, showcasing the work of regional artists and artisans.

While in town, wander through local boutiques Didi’s and The Dented Beach House. I also enjoy finding treasure in the Denmark Co-op, a hardware and department store brimming with fashion and homewares. Tea House Books is another beloved haunt inviting coffee and a lengthy browse among the tomes featuring many bestselling Western Australian and international authors.

Also in town, Pawprint Chocolate proudly craft handmade chocolates free of palm oil from high-quality couverture chocolate and ethically sourced ingredients. Owner Kelly Howard ensures, “Wherever possible, only Australian-grown and sustainably sourced products are used.” Pawprint evolved out of a niche in the market recognised by the Whitfield winery group, and hence, the chocolate label was launched and named after their Bernese mountain dogs, Mac and Bud. Crowd-pleasing favourites include Old Time Ginger, Salted Caramel and Peanut, and Karri Bark. I can’t wait for their upcoming range of chocolate designed to be paired with wine.

Speaking of wine, the region’s micro-climate of cool nights and long warm days is ideal for the slow ripening of fruit and the karri-loam soil is perfect for cool-climate wines. Surely, it’s wine time by now, so let’s head to Estate 807, where the cellar door is so close to the vines you could almost harvest the grapes without leaving the deck, although it’s best to savour such delicacies in your glass. Owners/operators Stephen Junk and Ola Tylestam have produced outstanding pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc since 2009. Their restaurant is open over weekends and serves Asian classics with a twist alongside cheese platters.

Perched on Mount Shadforth, Castelli Estate has an extensive choice of wines to compliment the views across the valley. Family-owned and operated, and drawing on their Italian roots, this is another prime example of the Great Southern’s terroirs working their magic across several labels such as Il Liris, Empirica, Estate, Silver Label and The Sum. Although their cellar door and boutique accommodation are set within Tudor-style architecture, the winemaking facilities are state-ofthe-art. Order a tasting flight or wine by the glass or bottle savoured over a grazing board, or a hearty menu showcasing Italian classics such as polpette and porchetta.

So many wines, so little Greens Pool time. Set in stunning grounds, Singlefile Wines, famed for their awardwinning wines, win points with their A Sense of Place experience. This personalised tour takes guests through the estate with a glass of sparkling in hand and serves tastings of their current and archived vintages from their museum. Situated between Denmark and Walpole, Moombaki Wines combine art and hand-milled furniture with their wines inside their quirky timber cellar door. While settling in for a leisurely tasting of their crisp Rosé, or black cherry flavoured Shiraz, you’ll be surrounded by the artworks of Moombaki owners, artist Melissa Boughey and wood-maker David Britten at this family-run estate. The rustic Harewood Estate is one to visit amongst Denmark’s idyllic hills for its low-yielding vineyards and multi-award-winning varietals. After one sip of their 2021 Apricus Hill Chardonnay exuding citrus and stonefruit richness, or the 2018 Harewood Estate FLUX-I Malbec Cabernet spiced with blackcurrant and cigar box, it’s easy to understand why this is another James Halliday favourite. Although you might be longing for a siesta by now, let’s get physical instead along the magical Harewood Forest Walk Trail, blooming with wildflowers in spring and fungi during the cooler months. Weaving through towering karri trees, take the 800 metre path through the lush vegetation, following the interpretative signs sharing Denmark’s history. For the daring, climb the 2.8 kilometre trail to the top of the ridge for incredible valley views. The nearby Denmark Animal Farm and Pentland Alpaca Stud farm will keep the little (and big) ones entertained with cuddles from joeys and other furry encounters with alpacas, rabbits, chicks, goats and koalas, when available. There’s also an alpaca boutique and gallery showcasing native wildlife, including artist and author Wendy Binks’ emu designs and children’s books.

Pawprint Chocolate After all that cuteness, head to the latest hotspot tonight at Bar Tarifa in the heart of town, where Spanish cuisine meets art and modern architecture. Yolanda Teijeiro shares, “From the handmade pottery used to plate authentic Spanish tapas to the rooftop terrace overlooking the native forest, every detail in this bar is purposefully laid out to give you an experience different from all the rest.” Along with a carefully curated selection of local wines and craft beers, celebrate over paella, tortilla, Jamon and tapas for your final night in Denmark.

DAY 4

Before preparing for the journey home, either enjoy a breakfast fryup at your accommodation or head to the Denmark Bakery, famed for its pastries and pies, including kangaroo pies. Take the South Coast Highway for approximately 45 minutes west to one of the most unforgettable experiences in the region, if not the State. Despite my fear of heights, especially while on a bridge suspended 40 metres above the forest floor, even I recommend the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The birds-eye view of the tree canopy of the ancient tingle forest distracted me long enough to make it 600 metres to the end, albeit on shaky legs.

Return to terra firma and end your holiday on a high note, although not as high as the Valley of the Giants, of course. After tasting the delicate sparklings or bold merlots at Hidden River Estate in Pemberton, settle in for an epic lunch. The modern European menu, infused with eastern flavours, tempts with outstanding local produce such as black truffles, finger limes, trout and marron.

Apparently, all good things must come to an end. Unless you delve into even more of the Great Southern’s treasures in Walpole, Pemberton, Manjimup, Mt Barker, Kojonup, Frankland River, Katanning and Albany.

By Carmen Jenner

Denmark Good Food Factory

Mrs Jones Café

Time your visit to Denmark with the Taste Great Southern 2023 food and wine festival from 4 - 14 May 2023. You could indulge on Akoya Oysters, heirloom vegetables, premium cuts of meat, world-class wines or spy giant orcas in Bremer Bay. This culinary event is well-timed with the region’s grape harvest, with 30 events over the 11-day festival showcasing the Great Southern and sub-regions Albany, Denmark, Mt Barker, Kojonup, Katanning, Bremer Bay and Poronogurup.