Penang visits Western Australia

Early on Saturday, April 28, 2012, a group of five excited IWFS members from Penang,  headed by President Laura Tang and Founding President  Dick Yong, touched down to a cool and cloudy Perth morning. They were met by Vice President Lloyd Yeoh and Committee Member Mike Tamburri, their hosts for this trip, who whisked them away swiftly to start their trip to Margaret River which, on the new highway, was a very relaxing drive. Past halfway, it was time for breakfast which was beautifully served at the Mojo Restaurant.

Margaret River was reached shortly thereafter, and the group made their way to one of the original wineries, Leeuwin Estate, where a number of WA members, including Founding President Ulrich Kunzmann, were waiting for them. Also waiting for them was a little helicopter which, as a big welcome surprise, and kindly sponsored by Mike, took everybody for an amazing sightseeing flight around the area, a most impressive introduction to this beautiful corner of Western Australia (except possibly the rather rough landing of the last group....).

A private tour of the winery and a tasting familiarized the group with some of the award winning wines, and this was followed by a delightful luncheon featuring the native, sweet, fresh water lobster called “Marron”.

The afternoon was spent visiting some other wineries and settling down at their exclusive home at the Cullen Wine Yard, before everybody met again at the Kunzmann home where Ulrich and Vince Garreffa, ably assisted by their dear wives, hosted  a sumptuous BBQ  which was highlighted by some vocal presentations by a number of, more or less, musically gifted members.

The next day saw visits to “Cape Mentelle” and  lunch at “Voyager” as well as a drive to and through the impressive karri forests of Boranup, where the group also browsed through and  admired the creativity and skill of many local artists at the well know Boranup gallery.

Back at the Cullen homestead, Vania Cullen, daughter of one of the wine making icons of Margaret river, and a celebrated wine maker in her own right, was then kind enough to host a delicious dinner.

On Monday the group visited some more landmarks and then made their way back to Perth where they spent another  couple of  very interesting and enjoyable days. One of the highlights was when celebrated Chef Herb Faust created a  delicious dinner for them at the private wine cellar of Mike Tamburri’s “La Vigna” wine merchants establishment.