Fire & Family: Two Global Chefs Creating the Hunter Valley's Hottest New Restaurant | Estancia Osteria
Nestled in the serene Mount View area of the Hunter Valley, Estancia Osteria has quickly become a standout culinary destination.
Opened in April 2024, this family-run restaurant, located within the picturesque Briar Ridge Vineyard, brings a unique blend of South American, Mediterranean, and Northern Italian influences to its menu. Founders Gabriel Rodrigues and James Orlowski have transformed the space into a haven for food enthusiasts, offering a combination of live-fire cooking, locally sourced ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality.
Gabriel Rodrigues and James Orlowski’s journey to creating Estancia Osteria is as compelling as the dishes they serve. James, who grew up on a New Zealand dairy farm, credits his early exposure to farm life and his father’s work as a cheesemonger for instilling a deep appreciation for fresh, quality produce. He began his culinary journey in a hunting lodge, preparing meals that included rabbit, goat and salmon before realising that his true passion lay in hospitality and that he ought to become qualified.
“Hospitality was the ideal career for me,” James shares.
“It’s people-oriented, and I love the discipline and creativity it demands.”
James went on to spend ten years living and working in Peru and developing a passion for Peruvian food and culture.
“It’s the best food in the world,” he says.
“It’s a wonderful fusion of Spanish, Latin, South American and Japanese, and it’s exciting to marry that with Gabriel’s expertise in French cuisine at our own restaurant.”
Originally from Brazil, Gabriel boasts a rich culinary background, having worked with Michelin-starred chefs specialising in French cuisine, studying traditional osterias in Northern Italy and travelling Spain on food research tours. After more than a decade in Australia, he fell in love with the Hunter Valley’s charm and potential.
The two chefs’ paths crossed multiple times over the years, sharing kitchen spaces and ideologies. Frustrated with the hospitality industry's post-pandemic challenges, they decided to venture out on their own.
“We wanted to create a space where we could pass on our knowledge, cook the right food, and foster a genuine sense of hospitality,” James explains.
“It’s a partnership rooted in shared ideals.”
When they found the space at Briar Ridge, it felt like destiny. “I was in Italy studying osterias, and James discovered this venue previously named Osteria,” Gabriel recalls.
Together, they designed and renovated the restaurant, crafting furniture from reclaimed timber and even tackling electrical and plumbing work themselves. The result is a warm, inviting space with a treehouse-like ambience and a garden setting that feels like an extension of their family home.
Estancia Osteria is small yet dynamic, accommodating 50 diners and blending the raw energy of an open kitchen with the intimacy of personalised service.
“It’s a unique environment,” James says.
“Our diners are part of the show, seeing the chefs in action and engaging directly with the team.”
The heart of Estancia Osteria’s menu lies in its commitment to quality and seasonal produce.
“James tells me what he’d like to see on the menu; we discuss our ideas, we cook together, run tests and try the food together, then I run the kitchen. James looks after our customers. Having a chef work the floor makes it easy to manage expectations. It has great benefits for the diners. James knows how the food is prepared, so we can seamlessly accommodate allergies and changes,” says Gabriel.
“We call our suppliers every week. If we can maintain the quality of a dish with what can be supplied, we may keep it on the menu. We will not accept lower quality just to keep a particular dish. We will change it up completely to ensure top-quality produce. Nothing is frozen; everything is locally sourced and made from scratch.”
This dedication is evident in every bite, with the menu evolving every six to ten days, reflecting the seasons and the local market’s offerings. Highlights include the Iron Bark smoked lamb shoulder, smoked brisket ragout pappardelle, and their signature ceviche. Guests can also indulge in weekly themed events.
The Smokey Sunday Parilla is $89 per person and is a sizzling feast that celebrates the art of open-fire cooking. The Smokey Sunday Parilla menu is crafted to showcase the best of smoky, grilled flavours paired with seasonal accompaniments, featuring Pukara Estate Lamb Rump, Grilled Chicken Supreme, Wagyu Skewer, Spanish Chorizo with sides of Chimichurri, House Pickles, Panzanella and Crispy Potato. Complete this delicious smokiness with perfectly paired wines from their curated selection.
Perhaps a Spanish-influenced seafood Paella might be more to your taste? If so, head over to Estancia on Fridays from 5pm for the Paella Share Banquet—a new tradition bringing the vibrant flavours of Spain right to your table. Enjoy rich, aromatic Paella, made to order with premium seafood and bold spices, alongside a selection of shared tapas made with local ingredients for an authentic, communal dining experience that’s completed with handpicked Spanish wines and sangria to complete your night.
Thursdays is the popular Pasta Night that offers 3-courses for just $39 per person. Enjoy fresh, seasonal pasta dishes paired with Briar Ridge wines in the perfect setting. Pasta dishes may include Potato Gnocchi with Pistachio and Basil Cream, Lemon Whipped Ricotta, Pistachio Crumb or Mascarpone and Spinach Tortellini with Caccio E Pepe, Grana Padano, Toasted Black Pepper followed by dessert that may well be their sensational Tiramisu.
Their passion for live-fire cooking shines in dishes like smoked vegetables, lamb shoulder cooked over a charcoal fire, and smoked garlic-infused recipes. Each dish is a celebration of flavour, showcasing the chefs’ expertise and the region’s best ingredients.
Since its opening, Estancia Osteria has become a cornerstone of the Mount View community.
“The support from locals has been incredible. It’s humbling to see how much people appreciate what we’re doing,” James shares.
Indeed, a quick look at their reviews shows enthusiastic diners eager to share their experiences, giving the team five stars, calling out the exceptional service, and the fact that the staff are so accommodating and raving about the sensational food and flavours.
The restaurant’s family-run nature adds a personal touch. James’ wife handles the coffee, and his son contributes to the menu, emphasising the homegrown ethos that defines Estancia Osteria. Their commitment extends beyond the kitchen. They grow their own herbs, honey is produced on the Briar Ridge estate, and there are plans to incorporate expanded vegetable gardens in 2025 so that they can grow their own.
Estancia Osteria also collaborates with other local businesses to enhance the Mount View experience.
“There’s also significant landscaping going on to attract wildlife into the area,” said James.
“And we’re in good company with Bistro Molines just up the hill. Mount View Estate has built new villas accommodating up to about 40 people and a new restaurant just across the road where they’ll be doing large weddings. We already cater for pre-wedding lunches, Hens with tastings and lunch and Bucks with BBQ & Beers, that sort of thing. The local boutique wineries are starting to work together to attract more people to the Mount View area, and we’re all hoping to establish it further as a must-visit destination slightly different from central Pokolbin.”
Guests of all ages and preferences will find something to love at Estancia Osteria. The restaurant accommodates dietary needs and allergies, creating bespoke menus when necessary. Families can enjoy a relaxed day with lawn games, birdlife, and pet-friendly amenities while budding foodies savour meticulously crafted dishes paired with Briar Ridge’s award-winning wines.
The ambience is calm and welcoming, reflecting Gabriel and James’ commitment to old-school hospitality.
“We cook silently, with minimal talk,” Gabriel says.
“It creates a peaceful environment that diners truly appreciate.”
With their first summer underway, Estancia Osteria is poised for growth. The team is expanding the wine list to include more local producers and continuing renovations to enhance the dining experience with better climate control, fans and more windows. Plans for 2025 include launching farm-to-plate events, where diners can enjoy beef sourced directly from local cattle farmers within just two weeks of processing.
James and Gabriel’s vision for Estancia Osteria is clear: a place where culinary excellence meets heartfelt hospitality, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Mount View area of the Hunter Valley. As James puts it, “We’ve cracked it at Briar Ridge. The future is bright, and we’re excited to keep growing with our community.”
Estancia Osteria is open Wednesday to Sunday, offering dinner from Thursday to Saturday. Whether you’re seeking a casual brunch, a themed dinner, or a memorable family outing, Estancia Osteria promises an experience that’s as delicious as it is welcoming.
For reservations, visit bookings@estanciaosteria.com.au or phone 0409 631 147. Discover the flavours and warmth that have made Estancia Osteria a Hunter Valley treasure and a special place for ‘those in the know’.
