Travel and Tourism Awards 2025 | 19 Penobscot Restaurant, at the Watervale Hotel Watervale is a charming town in the Clare Valley, known for its picturesque landscapes and exceptional historical landmarks. The area is a prime destination for food and wine enthusiasts and those wanting to enjoy the serene beauty of South Australia’s wine country. Many international tourists visit The Watervale hotel as part of a South Australian adventure holiday to the Flinders Ranges, the cuttlefish breeding in Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula or Renmark on the Murray River. The Watervale Hotel has become ‘the epicurean gateway to the Flinders Ranges and SA adventure holidays.’ The oldest hotel in the region, The Watervale Hotel holds a rich history, serving as the foundation of its community for more than 170 years. Today, The Watervale Hotel is owned by Chef Nicola Palmer and Sommelier Warrick Duthy, partners in love, life, and everything in between. The pair are a dynamic force to be reckoned with, leveraging Nicola’s unparalleled culinary flair in combination with Warrick’s vast liquor industry experience to propel The Watervale Hotel to success. Driven by a shared desire to see the Clare Valley become Australia’s most desirable destination for wine tourism, Nicola and Warrick have established The Watervale Hotel as an epicurean business and a cornerstone of the local community. The premier experience is a Penobscot Farm Tour followed by a degustation dining experience at Penobscot Restaurant located at the Chefs Table within the Watervale Hotel kitchen. Here, guests are invited to observe the innerworkings of the kitchen and engage with the chefs whilst they are presented with an exceptional fine dining experience culminating in ten individually plated courses. Guests can choose a wine match turning dinner into a Clare Valley wine masterclass, or alternatively match dishes to Clare Valley Gin cocktails, or mocktails using Penobscot Farm botanicals. Guests can also stay at Penobscot Cottage and enjoy a gourmet breakfast at the Watervale General Store as part of the tariff. The produce served in this extraordinary kitchen is sourced directly from Penobscot Farm, Nicola and Warrick’s bio-dynamic and organic farm located just one kilometre from the hotel. Lead by permaculture expert Jared Murray, the farm grows a wide range of seasonal fruits, nuts, leaves, and vegetables to be used in the couple’s various business ventures. Penobscot Farm’s fresh produce is sold only to The Watervale Hotel’s restaurant, where Chef Nicola enhances and enriches the ingredients. This ensures that only the very best nutrient rich and flavoursome produce is being served to guests and enables Nicola and Warrick to provide a holistic experience to tourists and locals alike. Their intertwined businesses – The Watervale Hotel, Penobscot Farm, and Watervale General Store – have stepped beyond sustainability and into regeneration, providing an effective cycle of produce that embodies the very definition of farm-to-fork dining. This cycle is a shining display of Nicola and Warrick’s dedication to environmental conservation and is the very essence of their integrated brand. Since moving to Watervale, Nicola Palmer and Warrick Duthy have been steadfast in their commitment to putting their town on the map as the prime location for wine lovers, environmental conservationists, and those seeking out a new and unique adventure. The couple have established an exceptional system through their farm-to-fork dining experience and have not only contributed to the development of Watervale’s tourist industry but also its community and environment. For such contributions, revolutionising sustainability and regeneration in hospitality, The Watervale Hotel has been awarded the title of Best Epicurean Experience Hotel and Restaurant 2025 – South Australia. Contact: Nicola Palmer Company: The Watervale Hotel Web Address: https://watervalehotel.com.au/ Best Epicurean Experience Hotel & Restaurant 2025 – South Australia
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