Merlot Restaurant Bar

A few words from Merlot Restaurant Bar

Milawa, VIC – May 9th, 2025 –
Lancemore Milawa is proud to announce the appointment of acclaimed chef Joel Grudnoff as Executive Chef at Merlot, the hotel's signature restaurant nestled in the heart of Victoria's King Valley — a region fast becoming one of Australia's most sought-after food and wine destinations.
Grudnoff joins Merlot following a celebrated tenure at The Louise in South Australia's Barossa Valley, where he led both Appellation and Contour restaurants. With over two decades of experience at the helm of some of Australia's most renowned kitchens, Grudnoff is widely regarded as a culinary heavyweight. His intuitive, produce-led approach and commitment to evolving menus have earned him a reputation for pushing boundaries while honouring regional ingredients and traditions.
His arrival comes on the heels of Lancemore Milawa's stunning transformation by award-winning design studio The Stella Collective, which has reimagined the boutique property into one of Victoria's most captivating destination hotels. The complete reinvention — led by renowned designer Hana Hakim — draws on Mediterranean inspiration, layering tactile materials like polished concrete, custom teak joinery, mosaic tiling and signature soft curves to create a sense of relaxed, elevated luxury that feels both worldly and rooted in place.
Under Joel's direction, Merlot will deliver a seasonal, terroir-driven dining experience that aligns seamlessly with the hotel's internationally awarded interiors. "The Stella Collective's redesign creates a space that feels elevated, yet deeply rooted in the terrain and the textures of the King Valley," says Grudnoff. "Their multi-sensory and textural approach translates perfectly from interior to plate, and I look forward to exploring that story with everyone we welcome through our doors."
Grudnoff brings a bold, instinctive energy to the kitchen, shaped by a childhood spent on a Northern NSW farm and a career spanning coastlines, vineyards, and Australia's leading regional kitchens.
At Merlot, Joel will continue his mission to showcase the richness of local produce, now through the lens of Milawa and the King Valley's abundant food and wine culture. "This region has everything a chef could dream of," says Joel. "There's a spirit of craftsmanship here — among the cheesemakers, vintners, bakers, and farmers — that mirrors how I like to cook. It's raw, authentic, and constantly evolving."
The new menu, launched in May 2025, reflects his spontaneous, produce-led approach — where inspiration may come from a wheel of Milawa blue, a freshly harvested truffle, or a morning chat with a grower at the farm gate.
General Manager Serena Sykes adds: "We're setting a new standard for regional luxury and making Lancemore Milawa an unmissable stop on the gourmet travel map. Joel brings an inspiring new chapter to Merlot — one that honours the local landscape and celebrates the magic of true hospitality."
Located at the gateway to the King Valley — a region long known as a little piece of Italy in Victoria's High Country — Merlot offers guests an intimate, ever-changing dining experience with vineyard views and curated wine pairings from neighbouring Italian varietal winemakers. The new menu celebrates the rhythms of the season, regional stories, and the bold flavours that have become Grudnoff's signature.
From interiors to the plate, Lancemore Milawa and Merlot offer a fully immersive journey — one that reflects the rich culinary heritage, creative energy, and breathtaking landscape of this remarkable corner of regional Victoria.