If you love cool-climate King Valley wine, a visit to Chrismont is a must. It's owned by the same family as nearby Pizzini Wines (co-owner Arnie Pizzini is a cousin of the Pizzinis), and this is a family that knows its wine.
As it's in the King Valley, the prosecco here is excellent, but our favourite was the riesling, which is in the happy medium between sweet and dry, pairs beautifully with food, and at $18 is perfect for everyday drinking.
Most of Chrismont's wines are like that – unpretentious, delicious and at a very affordable price point. If you want to get fancy, the Riserva range represents the creme de la creme and is extremely moreish.
Speaking of moreish, make sure you have lunch at Chrismont's excellent restaurant, open from noon. It specialises in local produce and fresh ingredients, and the food is as jaw-dropping as the views. If it's in season, try the winter salad – no, really. A riot of colour – red onion, spinach, carrots, beans, legumes – is shot through with perfectly spicy salami. Surely all that colour and all those vegetables are good for you, but it is the kind of food where you want to shove the next forkful in your mouth before you've even finished the previous one.
Chrismont is fiercely guarded by a chocolate labrador, who would no doubt cuddle a malefactor into submission.
Make sure it's on your King Valley itinerary, winter or summer.
