Cupitt's Estate — Restaurant in Ulladulla

We dined at Cupitt's Estate around a year ago and had such a wonderful experience that we were excited to return. The customer service back then was exceptional and left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, our visit on April 22nd this year was quite the opposite and left us deeply disappointed from the moment we arrived.

To begin with, we had attempted to book a table online for three people, but the system only allowed reservations for two. Based on our previous visit, we assumed it would be possible to be accommodated upon arrival. However, when we got there, the staff member at the front desk was dismissive and unhelpful. She informed us that they were fully booked but said we could sit on the outdoor deck — which was wet due to the rain — with a tone that felt like, “Take it or leave it.” There was no effort made to reassure us or try to find a workable solution.

Reluctantly, we agreed to sit on the outdoor deck. I had to ask three times before someone came to wipe down the wet table and chairs so my wife, our toddler, our guest, and I could sit. When staff finally came, we appreciated it and proceeded to place our order.

Shortly after the food arrived, the rain picked up again. Our toddler began to get soaked, and we had to quickly move away from the table. Disappointingly, no staff came to help us move our meals or find alternative seating — they focused on assisting other customers who were already indoors and unaffected by the rain. My wife, carrying our 8-month-old baby, our guest, and I had to move everything ourselves while staff simply looked on. It was disheartening to be treated this way, but we stayed calm and tried to make the best of it.

We found an unoccupied table inside and sat down to continue our meal. Within minutes, the same staff member from the front desk came running over, telling us the table was reserved. We explained we were just trying to finish our meal quickly, and she initially walked away. However, ten minutes later, she returned and insisted we leave the table immediately — despite the ongoing rain outside. I asked her where she expected us to go and if she genuinely wanted us to eat our food out in the rain. She gave no response.

At that point, we'd had enough. We left our meal half-eaten and began to pack up. Instead of an apology or any kind of understanding, all she offered were takeaway containers. It was incredibly disappointing — not just the lack of service, but the lack of empathy. Even more frustrating was that after being told the table was urgently needed, it remained unoccupied for at least another 15 minutes, which made the urgency feel completely unfounded.

The only redeeming part of our visit was speaking with the on-site manager, who was genuinely kind and professional. She handled the situation with empathy and offered a sincere apology on behalf of the staff. We truly appreciated her response — thank you, Gayle (apologies if I’ve spelled your name...

Excellent location, lovely views. Table views are just lovely. Outside seating is not great on windy days. Advisable to book. Lots of young staff. It was very hard to get someone to give us advice. Other than Mark, very little was done to direct us what to do. After being seated on the deck and according to the young girl 'out of the wind' we waited to be served. After some time waiting and hair blowing in the unwindy spot, hubby got up to ask if we needed to order at the bar or do they serve the table? The young lady was divided in her attention between answering another staff member and trying to tell us what to do. Hence we gave up our non-windy table to go to the garden bar. The young lady was quite busy but took our order to try the 'flight' paddle. Pointing out that the first wine was the Sauvignon Blanc "so please scan the QR on the paddle to find out what the other wines are"😲 What???? Your is now on a QR code! As for the meal menu, if your looking for a steak or good pasta or even a good fish meal, this is not your place. The menu was more an entree menu and checking the sizes as I sat there watching them come out, definitely not worth the hefty price tag attached. Have your wine taste, if can hold their attention and you don't mind being entertained by a QR code, but I'd do lunch somewhere else, like Rick Stein Banisters in Mollymook. As for the wine selection, in my opinion, definitely a pass. Being almost through the QR guided wine experience, a young girl came over to ask if we had a table reserved, to which we explained that we were going to have lunch on the deck, but realised the lunch was more entrees so opted for the garden bar. She promptly told us that the table we were sitting at was reserved and wanted to know how long we were going to take. We got up immediately to leave and hubby pointed out there was no reserved sign on the table, to which the two girls said they couldn't put a sigh on because of the wind - bluetac works wonders as does the weight of the 6water glasses on the table, no excuse to make a paying guest feel uncomfortable. What has happened to hospitality training? But you be your own judge. Wonderful setting. Accommodation pods available. Beautiful...

Through the 2019–20 bushfires, Simon Marnie on ABC Sydney was with the affected South Coast communities the whole way. A trusted voice and a true champion of the region’s produce, they feel gutted and betrayed by their ABC over his sacking. More than Lunch ($95/each) at Cupitt's Estate in Ulladulla was eye-opening about the role of radio in the regions. Lots of the 80-strong audience mentioned no longer listening to ABC Sydney on the weekend. The hour-long interview by estate founder, Rosie Cupitt, and active Q+A covered everything from Marnie’s most memorable guests (the ones who went on to become friends) and contentious questions, like who grows the best South Coast oysters? Marnie was understandably cautious, but did make a cheeky mention having West Australian Albany rock oysters back in his room…

Jervis Bay mussels, served smoked and pickled with capers and fennel, were the star of the three-course lunch. Alto olives with garlic and garden herbs were another example of exemplary produce being left to speak for itself. Winemaker Wally Cupitt introduced us to the 2023 Cupitt’s Estate ‘The Pointer’ Chardonnay ($38) in the cellar door. In the restaurant it jumps to $89 but the elegant cool climate Tumbarumba Chardonnay drinks beautifully with minerality and creaminess, remarkably similar to our usual house pour, the Collector Wines Tiger Tiger, which is also made using grapes grown in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains.

Seated with members of Shoalhaven Food Network who put on these More Than Lunch events, we were regaled with stories of local businesses and standout function spaces like Willinga Park, over lunch. On long convivial tables we passed around heaving plates of ricotta gnocchi stirred through rich slow-braised duck ragu. Ribbon-like gigli pasta was a little past al dente but was saved by a gentle Alfredo and flash-fried sage. Verrines of tiramisu sent us off into the remaining afternoon with espresso, mascarpone and amaretto dancing on our tongues. The next event will be held at The Growers by...