People from the Central Coast and beyond are rediscovering skills of the past at the Artisan Estate at Somersby.
Husband and wife team Madeline and Chris Stratford offer regular classes in blacksmithing and recently held their first Fire and Spirit event with great success.
About three years ago the Stratfords took over the pecan farm which has been in Madeline’s family for three generations, transferring their music school to online and deciding to concentrate on establishing the Artisan Estate.
“We offer farm experiences and a farmstay Airbnb and we also offer blacksmithing classes and workshops every weekend,” Madeline said.
“We run everything from beginners’ classes to advanced classes, sessions for home schooled children and private bookings.
“In the wake of COVID, we found a lot of people were getting back into old crafts – wanting to use their hands more.
“They wanted to do something physical and get their hands dirty and Chris has been blacksmithing for years, so we thought that was a good way to go.
“People don’t need to have any experience – we start them from scratch for beginners and the classes are very popular.”
The idea for the Fire and Spirit event was born when the two, both whisky lovers, contacted the Amber Lane Distillery at Yarramalong.
“Our businesses were similar in that we both craft things, so we decided to establish an event,” Madeline said.
Blending the fiery art of blacksmithing with the refined taste of whisky, the recent event saw VIPs take part in an exclusive blacksmithing workshop and created their own souvenirs, learning techniques and experiencing the heat first-hand.
Guests were then treated to a blacksmithing demonstration by Chris, followed by an Amber Lane whisky tasting.
A master distiller guided guests through a selection of different whiskies, highlighting the distinct flavours and characteristics of each.
Guests learned about the whisky-making process, the importance of ageing, and the influence of different cask types on the final product.
“As we sipped and savoured the different whiskies, the conversation flowed freely,” Madeline said.
“The earlier demonstration of blacksmithing sparked discussions about craftsmanship, tradition and the transformation of raw materials.
“The afternoon offered a delightful union, showcasing ancient artisanal crafts and the power of creativity.”
The event was such a success that another is already being planned for next year.
Fantastic