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There's more to Moss Vale than meets the eye

6/4/2016

15 Comments

 
Vintage bandstand in Leighton Gardens, Moss Vale, NSW - photo Liz Posmyk Good Things
The 116 year old bandstand in Leighton Park, Moss Vale in the NSW Southern Highlands
Moss Vale in the New South Wales Southern Highlands was once a market town and is said to have been named after a herdsman, and former convict, named Jemmy (Jeremy) Moss, who lived in a bark hut near the present railway station. His employer, Dr Charles Throsby, pioneered the district in the early 1800s. Settlers in the region established farms, raising sheep and cattle, growing fruit, potatoes and cabbages, among other things. The rural ethic continues to this day, with more than 150 artisan food and wine producers stretching across nine distinct communities in the Highlands.

The farmers, winemakers and food producers have banded together to form the Southern Highlands Food & Wine Clusters, which have been designed to entice visitors direct to the region’s farm gates.

I am hoping that this Good Things article will encourage you to discover that there is more to Moss Vale than meets the eye. Indeed, as you will see from the map below, Moss Vale offers a delicious destination for food and wine enthusiasts. 
The Moss Vale food & wine cluster
The Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster

The Moss Vale Cluster was launched recently at Peppers Manor House, in conjunction with the relaunch of that beautifully refurbished property. 

Driving the initiative is NSW Regional Business Leader of the Year, Brigid Kennedy, along with my friend, Food Path pioneer Jill Dyson. The project has been made possible with the backing of the Moss Vale Chamber of Commerce, and Destination Southern Highlands.

"By working together as a food and wine community, we have made it easy for people to get hands on with their food source, and buy direct from the farmer. Visitors can also stay on the farms, where they can enjoy an authentic taste of Highlands country living," Brigid explained.

The farm gate experience adds to the English village charm of Moss Vale, with its historic heart, grand heritage residences, and winding highland roads lined with European trees. Food lovers are spoiled for choice when selecting a base for exploring the cluster. From cosy country cabin stays on a working Angus farm at Pines Pastoral, or the living canvas of local lifestyle designs to be experienced when staying at The House by Them, to the decadent new Garden suites at Peppers Manor House. 

Foraging for fresh local produce is just the beginning with Paddock-to-Plate cooking classes offered at Fox Hill Farm, Italian Food Experiences at Tre Porcellini, or unwinding with a glass of wine or cup of specialty tea on the wide verandahs of the Farm Club Tea House. 

There is also a variety of Moss Vale eateries to visit, many of which offer local farm produce, great tasting food, and exciting experiences. Add Bernie's Diner, Katers Restaurant at Peppers Manor House, The Porterhouse Bistro, Il Pranzo Cafe, The Post Cafe and Bar, and Tooses Wine Bar to your list of places to visit.

Producers within the Moss Vale Cluster include Highland Organics, Maugers Meats, Park Hill Garlic, Mt Ashby Wines, and Southern Highlands Wines. There's also the Railway Street Farmer's Market.

If the food and wine showcased at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster is anything to go by, then Moss Vale should be at the top of your next food and wine destination.

Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster launch - postcards and morsels...

Farm fresh produce from Fox Hill Farm in the NSW Southern Highlands
Farm fresh produce from Fox Hill Farm
Lynne Derwin from Fox Hill Farm
Lynne Derwin from Fox Hill Farm
Executive Chef, John Shelly, serves tender roasted beef to guests
Katers Restaurant Executive Chef, John Shelly, serves tender beef to guests
Farm Club produce at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Farm Club produce
Sally Beresford of Mt Ashby with her range of wines
Sally Beresford of Mt Ashby with her range of wines
Sally Beresford preseves
Sally Beresford preseves
Cheers! Guests at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Cheers! Guests at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Fox Hill Farm organic passata, for sale at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Fox Hill Farm organic passata, for sale at the launch
A tasting platter of local produce at the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster launch
A tasting platter of local produce
Produce and wine from the Railway Street Farmer's Market at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Produce and wine from the Railway Street Farmer's Market
The owner of the Post Cafe in Moss Vale NSW
Chris Alleyn of the Post Cafe with his stall at the launch
Post Cafe condiments
Condiments produced by the Post Cafe
Phil and Ioannis (right) from Bernie's Diner with their Reuben sandwich
Phil and Ioannis (right) from Bernie's Diner in Moss Vale with their Reuben sandwich
Delicious little arancini bites served at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Delicious little arancini bites served at the launch
Jesse Kornoff, General Manager of Peppers Manor House, with a guest at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Jesse Kornoff, General Manager of Peppers Manor House, with a guest at the launch
Enjoying the comfort and setting of the event at Peppers Manor House
Guests enjoy the launch in the comfort of the all weather space at Peppers Manor House
Food writer, Stephanie Clifford Smith (left) with Tina Irving from Solitaire Australia
Food writer, Stephanie Clifford Smith (left) with Tina Irving from Solitaire Australia
Comfort and a beautiful setting
Comfort and a beautiful setting at Peppers Manor House
Phil from Bernie's Diner at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Phil from Bernie's Diner at the launch (that's moi in the background, taking a snapshot of the fireplace)
The fireplace and lounges in the all weather event space at Peppers Manor House
The fireplace and lounges in the all weather event space at Peppers Manor House
Jesse Kornoff, Peppers Manor House GM welcomes the guests
Jesse Kornoff, Peppers Manor House GM welcomes the guests
Mayor Larry Whipper speaks at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
Mayor Larry Whipper speaks at the launch of the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster
The Mayor shares a laugh with Brigid Kennedy of The Loch - Brigid was the driving force behind The Food & Wine Clusters
The Mayor shares a laugh with Brigid Kennedy of The Loch - Brigid was the driving force behind The Clusters
The Good Things team enjoyed the launch of the Moss Vale Food and Wine Cluster, and an overnight stay, degustation and breakfast as guests of Peppers Manor House and the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster. We made our own way to Sutton Forest by private vehicle.

​Apart from the lead image of the Moss Vale bandstand and the photo of the roaring fireplace, all of the images used in this article were kindly provided courtesy of Peppers Manor House and the Moss Vale Food & Wine Cluster. (To my huge disappointment, my little travel camera was not playing nicely).

​For more information about the Southern Highlands Food & Wine Clusters, visit the web site. For more information or to book a stay at the award winning Peppers Manor House, visit the web site.

Tell me dear readers, have you ever been to Moss Vale in the New South Wales Southern Highlands? Have you stopped in to explore all that the area offers? And you like the idea of the food and wine clusters as much as I do?
15 Comments
Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
6/4/2016 12:05:33 am

What a great initiative and the produce looks amazing 😀

Reply
@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) link
6/4/2016 12:30:03 am

Love the Southern Highlands! Blessed with so many talented food and wine producers, not to mention lots of other attractions.

Reply
Mandy link
6/4/2016 10:02:13 am

How lovely! What's not to love about a food and wine community.
Have a super day Lizzy.
:-) Mandy xo

Reply
Simone Mason
6/4/2016 11:17:57 am

Wow, what a fantastic initiative. Love it, Liz. Must get myself and the man to Moss Vale soon.

Reply
John / Kitchen Riffs link
6/4/2016 01:36:28 pm

Sounds like a wonderful place. Certainly you had a fun experience. And we did too, of course, because you took us along. :-) Thanks so much.

Reply
Hotly Spiced link
6/4/2016 04:54:43 pm

I love the highlands and just love how they have four distinct seasons. So good for growing produce. And it's such a easy trip from Sydney. Gorgeous photos xx

Reply
Francesca link
6/4/2016 05:39:16 pm

So much happening there, great to see.

Reply
Amanda link
6/4/2016 05:58:37 pm

Another place to add to my list - it all looks lovely!
Bummer about your camera - it's such a pain when the technology lets us down.

Reply
Melissa @ All Around Oz link
6/4/2016 06:09:41 pm

I grew up in Bowral and Moss Vale was always the 'daggy cousin' Doesn't look like it is now. Think I'm over-due for a visit.

Reply
Eha
6/4/2016 08:23:44 pm

Driving in from the north one does hit Bowral and Mittagong first and somehow, just somehow spend all time available there - your post very succinctly tells me to start further south . . . had no idea there was quite as much available there :) !

Reply
Fiona Ryan link
7/4/2016 04:27:09 am

I know nothing of Moss Vale or the general Southern Highlands region in general (except that the real estate is pricey!) so I found this very interesting. This is the sort of story I save and refer back to when I'm planning a holiday. Thanks for sharing your visit. The bandstand is so cute!

Reply
Sherry m link
7/4/2016 06:34:48 am

All that wonderful produce. It looks marvellous. I love regional products.

Reply
Jem @ Lost in Utensils link
8/4/2016 09:21:44 pm

What a wonderful food region! I have heard of this area before although I have not visited yet. Absolutely on my list. Thanks for the info Liz.

Reply
David link
16/4/2016 09:22:56 am

Really, what's not to like about a food and wine community! Moss Vale it's a little far from Tucson, but I hope to get there one day.

Reply
Jeni from Northern Rivers Dreaming
14/11/2016 05:42:24 pm

How did I miss this post?!

I lived in Moss Vale for a while as a child (memories include winter weekend rides at Throsby Park and Easter stays at the Briars as caretakers - back then it was owned by SCEGGS Moss Vale where my mother worked) and had close friends in Mittagong, so often visited during our thirty years in Canberra.

I still love it there and always try to detour off the freeway when we visit Canberra. It's really great to see foodie initiatives like this happen, I wish them huge success :)

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
Excerpts may be used provided that full and clear credit is given. Thank you.


Photos used under Creative Commons from alantankenghoe, riptheskull, David Jackmanson, Amani Hasan, SuntanMidori, oropeza, Annie Mole, Vegan Feast Catering, avlxyz, jeffreyw, mockstar, jenly, Syeefa Jay, pizzodisevo (therapy - terapia - Therapie), ginnerobot, cliff1066™, Jim, the Photographer
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