A morning with our local makers is an opportunity to taste some of their fine produce available year round at Uniquely Bendigo @ the Bendigo Visitor Centre. Of course the best part is that you will have the opportunity to hear how they create these fantastic products!

Renzo from Bendigo Jam Factory, Rosie from Rosie Bee's Jams & Preserves and Kirsty from Saff & Sassi will be at the Visitor Centre from 9 am to 12 pm to share their passionate stories with you.

As an extra special treat we have invited Bendigo Winegrowers to provide you with a wine tasting too. A unique opportunity to talk to the winemaker, Andrew Simpson from Newbridge Wines and perhaps taste a drop or two of Shiraz.

Some more information about the makers you will meet. 

Meet Rosie of Rosie Bee’s Jams and Preserves
Rosie’s passion for fruit began as a youngster in Melbourne, Victoria where her family grew eleven trees in their suburban backyard. Since those days, Rosie has been a flight purser, catered for the rich and famous and owned her own tea rooms.

Rosie with her husband, Rick have travelled to Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Asia, USA and Europe, and they lived in the Middle East for 12 years. Rosie acquired a taste for flavoursome, aromatic, exotic and most importantly authentic foods.

Rosie and Rick are now growing their own fruit trees in Bendigo. She makes her own range of jams and preserves using seasonal, Australian grown produce. Whenever possible Rosie uses her own or local fruit trees to produce her delicacies. Her range has now been extended to include a mouth watering peanut brittle and traditional quince paste.

Rosie believes it takes time and patience to create a great jam and stirring the pot has always been good fun! She hopes that you and your family and friends enjoy her flavoursome jams, marmalades and confectionery items.

Meet Kirsty of Saff & Sassi
Saff and Sassi began in 2009 by two friends, Kirsty and Justine, after sharing a tragic experience of stillborn babies within two weeks of each other. It was a creative outlet to help both mum's cope with their grief and keep them busy.

Kirsty explains that 'Saff' was born from an amalgamation of Rafferty and Sage's names and will always be a huge part of who she is. Kirsty says their two beautiful angels are a constant inspiration in all of her creations.

Justine has since decided to explore other employment opportunities, but Kirsty continues creating unique jewellery pieces and she loves every minute of it!

Kirsty sources her papers and materials from a broad range of mediums such as magazines, newspapers and very rarely repeats a design. She then uses resin to complete the process, creating stunning earrings, necklaces and rings. Her bangles are moulded, mixed, poured and all sanded by hand. She loves colour and never becomes bored with experimenting.

Meet Renzo of Bendigo Jam Factory

Renzo began the 'Bendigo Jam Factory' in 2009. He was making product for the "OH" sisters in Singapore, who distribute Australian products into the Singapore Restaurant market. This gave Renzo the inspiration to start his own label for his own products. Renzo produces rich jams and glazes, a tasty tomato relish that you won't be able to resist a second taste!

Ingredients are sourced through local suppliers in Bendigo and direct from farms in Shepparton and Heathcote. His Shiraz Glaze is produced using local Heathcote Shiraz grapes and the Lamb Jam is a highly sought after range. The products are created locally at Dalhousie Fine Foods in Heathcote.

Renzo and his wife Julia are passionate about producing fine food with a smile and recently sold their very successful café, the Gallery Café overlooking Rosalind Park. Renzo is looking forward to meeting you at the Visitor Centre and sharing his secrets of success.

Meet Andrew of Newbridge Wines
Andrew & Kay Simpson are the enthusiastic wine makers at Newbridge Wines. They don't offer a cellar door onsite so this will be a unique opportunity to talk to Andrew in person about his passion.

The vineyard, located on the picturesque banks of the Loddon River near Newbridge, is truly a boutique operation. They produce only one wine each year - a straight, unblended Shiraz that is ideally suited to the climate and soil. With its full flavour and soft tannins, this style of wine will appeal to many palates.

With a four star James Halliday rating a taste of Newbridge Wines shiraz is a must do this Saturday!