‘An adventure in every bite’ – Janice Platt, Augusta Margaret River Times

Write up in the local paper outlines the wonderful atmosphere and attention to detail in the Cullen kitchen in the midst of a cold and wet South West winter.

Cullen Wines is a magical escape from the cold and wet in the South West.

Upon entering we are immediately greeted by a warm fire and a smiling staff member.

Sara sits us next to the window with views of Cullen’s vineyard and we immediately feel relaxed.

We are then given a rundown of the menu, consisting of some interesting options and, after careful perusal, we settled for cured cobia for the entrée, snapper and lamb for our mains, and chocolate mousse for our dessert.

Pairing wines to our meal is an easy task, with Cullen’s wine enthusiasts going in-depth into the varieties in the cellar.

We settle on the Cullen Semillon 2014 with its crisp and muted fruit flavours; a good choice for people who prefer their whites less fruit and not too sweet.

As our food starts coming in, we settle into our seats, utterly charmed by the wooden panelling and high ceilings, twinkling with fairy lights.

The cured cobia has a strong flavour, tempered by the almond milk.

The squid ink cracker that accompanies it adds a delightful crackle to the entrée, whilst also making a bold statement to the presentation of the dish.

Next up is the Carnarvon pink snapper, paired with heirloom pumpkin cooked in different ways.

Topped by milk foam, the fish is not only tasty, but curiously creamy and well balanced in both texture and flavour.

The Arkady lamb with mushroom, chestnut and artichoke, is the real stand-out of the meal with its tender and juicy meat and roasted chestnut sauce.

The mushrooms come in tempura and marinated, a delightful pop with each bite.

The chocolate mousse is smooth and sweet, plated with coconut and raspberry sorbet.

Each mouthful is an interesting adventure, tangy with raspberry, and milky and creamy with coconut.

Cullen Wines is a child and dog-friendly venue, so we finish our meal to the sight of wagging tails and happy faces in the outdoor area and families enjoying a cosy winter’s day by the fire.’