Melbourne pizza institution 400 Gradi opens restaurant at Rochford Winery

A MELBOURNE pizza institution will have its day on the green when it opens at a popular Yarra Valley winery later this month. Here’s how you can share a slice of the action.

MELBOURNE pizza giant 400 Gradi will open a new store in the Yarra Valley next weekend.

The pizzeria behind the world’s best margherita will open its fifth restaurant at Rochford Winery on Saturday October 27.

Founder Johnny Di Francesco’s Yarra Valley venture will join the Melbourne pizza empire’s Lygon St, Crown Casino, Essendon and Eastland locations.

HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS TO LOVE COOKING

THE INCREDIBLE TRUE COST OF MIGRAINES REVEALED

HOW COLES LOST MILLIONS OVER FUEL PRICE WAR

400 Gradi will share a site at Rochford Winery.

“Bringing the traditional food of Naples to the Yarra Valley is part of a continued plan to share my love for Italian cuisine with as many as possible,” Di Francesco said.

Rochford Winery will house the 400 Gradi restaurant on the green and will be separate to the winery’s existing Isabella’s modern Australian restaurant and cellar door.

Rochford sommeliers have paired the pizza creations with some of the estate’s favourite wines, including the 2017 Single Vineyard Isabella’s Chardonnay and the 2018 ‘Estate’ Rosé.

400 Gradi will be open Friday to Monday, serving a selection of pizzas, antipasto, pasta, sides and desserts.

Rochford Winery will pair wines with a selection of 400 Gradi pizzas.

Rochford owner Helmut Konecsny said: “It’s a thrill to welcome Johnny and his team at 400 Gradi to our Rochford Winery family. We have no doubt that people will embrace this unique and new experience of 400 Gradi Yarra Valley, and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

400 Gradi will be serving pizzas at Rochford Winery’s annual Burning of the Vines festival on Saturday 27 October.

Free margherita pizzas will be given away at the Yarra Valley store the following weekend on Friday November 2 to Monday 5 November.

@Kara_Irving