This June long weekend saw the debut of our pop-up rustic Italian dining experience, Pochi ma Buoni (‘Small but Great’), at Cargo Road Wines Cellar Door. The intimate event for 30 people was aimed at celebrating the coming together of good people, good food and good wine for good times – and sold out within two days!

Positioned as a ‘wild-style degustation dinner’, the menu featured three courses of authentic Italian home-cooking based on providing warming and hearty winter fare. Each course was paired by a wine from the Cargo Road Wines portfolio, with wine-maker James Sweetapple presenting the story behind each of the wines during each course.

“This was all about showcasing wines in an informal and fun setting, so you get the real flavour of the wines being complemented with a hearty, home-cooked meal,” explained James. “Our focus for the evening was on creating an experience of good food and good wine in good company, very much like a private dinner party but with the added bonus of being in a wine cellar.”

On the menu for the evening was a welcome glass with cheese platter; handmade pumpkin gnocchi with gorgonzola; lamb shanks in Cargo Road Wines Zinfandel with polenta; finishing with a homemade Tiramisu and dessert wine.

These are all traditional Italian family recipes, handed down from his grandmother to Paolo Picarazzi (Chief Navigator of Silver Compass Tours). The menu featured dishes that are meant to be shared in the darkest depths of winter, accompanied by excellent red wine and cheerful company.

Pochi ma Buoni – pronounced: pokey-ma-bwonee – is a fun phrase used by youthful Italians to refer to an event that is small and select, but which attracts like-minded, gregarious people. Directly translated it means “only for the few, but very good”, however we like to explain it more simply as “small but great”.