A short drive from Victoria’s spa country the Blackwood Hotel, situated in Blackwood, a historic gold mining town 89 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, has new owners and a new look.
The Blackwood Hotel has been stylishly refurbished by new owners Jerry Dimas and John Scardamaglia, with the venue pouring first drinks over the Australia Day weekend, but officially launching just before Easter.
Established in 1868, The Blackwood Hotel is Victoria’s oldest continuously licensed weatherboard hotel, which now blends modern comfort with the charm of its rich history.
This is the first-time the new proprietors, Dimas and Scardamaglia, have managed a pub, but between them they have more than 50 years of hospitality experience, managing popular food destinations across Melbourne including Berth, Cargo and Down The Rabbit Hole.
Located in the Wombat State Forest, an hour north-west of Melbourne, the Balckwood Hotel serves a pit-stop on the way to Victoria’s Spa Country.
“The Blackwood Hotel is the historic jewel of Blackwood’s main street and it’s our intention to respect its heritage for many future generations to enjoy,” said Dimas, who moved to Blackwood eight years ago with his family.
“Our aim to is to create an inviting and comfortable venue for locals and visitors and serve the best possible meals and beverages.”
The menu pairs global influences with a modern Australian style alongside pub favourites.
“Our head chef Andrew Papagiannis has created a delicious country-style menu in consultation with John and I, which celebrates local producers and growers,” said Dimas.
“Some of our signature dishes include our Parma, Pork Belly and Sher Wagyu Rump. Andrew has also added a Greek-style lamb shoulder dish in honour of his Greek heritage and grandmother who inspired him to be a chef.
“We are also serving local beers on tap and award-winning wine from around the region.”
The Blackwood Hotel revamp caters for an array of occasions, from casual dining to milestone celebrations. Its private dining room can host corporate gatherings or intimate dinner parties for around 25 people.
“Another unique offering is our viewing deck, which is a great spot to enjoy a meal or drink whilst overlooking the scenic Wombat State Forrest,” said Dimas.
Giving back to the local community is also top of the agenda for the owners.
“The Blackwood community have been so welcoming,” said Scardamaglia, a qualified chef who oversees the kitchen operations.
“Therefore, we would like to give back to the community in which we operate through supporting local businesses and causes like the Country Fire Authority [CFA] and providing job opportunities and career pathways into the hospitality industry for locals.”
Scardamaglia outlined the hotel’s other priorities.
“A main part of my role is training and mentoring staff, which I really enjoy, and I feel I have a lot of knowledge I can share to help people thrive in this sector.
“Jerry and I also want to put Blackwood and The Blackwood Hotel on the map as a tourist destination,” he said.
“The township of Blackwood is stunning and only a short one-hour drive from Melbourne, so it’s the perfect place to visit for a day trip or a weekend escape.”