Trentham is a small town, but locals Gabrielle Jordan and Mitchell Reed Rogers are dreaming big. The hands-on pair own local venues Trentham General and Mr Peacock, and last month added Adeline to the mix.

In many other Victorian towns where the population doesn’t quite reach 1400 people, this could be described as “overkill”. In Trentham, however, which was recently named Top Tiny Tourism Town in the Victorian and Australian Tourism Awards, it’s serving a pressing community need.

“Even on weekdays, we were turning away people, so we saw the need for another space where the locals could swing by and it’s not hectic and crazy,” says Gabrielle.

Their mini-Trentham empire began almost by accident. Mitchell was working a few shifts at brunch spot Trentham General when the owner asked if he’d like to buy the business. Mr Peacock, a wine and cocktail bar with a snacking menu of charcuterie and pizza directly across the road, came about in a similar fashion a few years later. (It’s also where the duo met: in a Central Victorian meet-cute, Gabrielle was a customer.)

The young couple are currently renovating an old miner’s cottage in Newbury, just down the road. So why add to their burden with Adeline?

“Because we’re silly and can’t say no to a project,” laughs Gabrielle.

The truth lies more in the critical mass of tourists descending on the town to compete with the locals in the search for a good coffee, a glass of wine and a grazing plate. A short walk around the corner from its two big siblings, Adeline occupies a history-filled former butcher’s shop (the duo’s office is the repurposed coolroom) with an open fire inside and seating on the front veranda that catches the afternoon sun.

Head chef Michael Furness, formerly of Vue de Monde, brings his pedigree to all three venues. At Adeline that means four or five snacking plates and cheeseboards loaded with Meredith goats’ curd, St David’s brie and bocconcini with smoked olive oil and cracked black pepper. There’s also a lemon tart that begs to be noticed.

“If you want coffee or a glass of wine and a pastry or a cheeseboard, come to Adeline, and if you want scrambled eggs and bacon, go to the General, because the whole point was to spread the load a bit.”

Gabrielle's background in wine – she was previous at Domain Chandon in the Yarra Valley before moving to local high flyers Passing Clouds and Lyons Will Estate – means there’s a strong collection of bottles to drink in-house or to take home.

“We have a big focus on local wine, especially because the Macedon Ranges is such a big region and there aren’t too many wineries close to Trentham,” she says. “Especially for tourists, if they’re not able to go to any wineries, they'll be able to pick something up from the region.”

GABRIELLE JORDAN & MITCHELL REED ROGERS
ADELINE TRENTHAM

STORY BY LARISSA DUBECKI
PHOTOS BY KAIYA RAE

Adeline
18 Market St Trentham
Thursday – Sunday 9.30am – 5.30pm
@adeline.trentham