Frequently Asked Questions.

For your amusement … answers by Leslye to the most Frequently Asked Questions

Heathcote Accommodation and Heathcote Wine Centre

Q1. Why did you choose Heathcote (for your business)? A1. Fred & I decided to open a restaurant and B&B. With that, we set a long list of criteria, and Heathcote met them all! They included proximity to Melbourne, the airport and the snow. We looked for a town with history, no restaurant and an interesting building in the main street. Why not Heathcote? Q2. Why is emeu spelled with an extra “e”? A2. Emeu is the Portuguese word for ostrich. We have been told that there were Portuguese in the area during the goldrush days. They saw an emu, thinking it was an ostrich, and called it “emeu”. This old pub was called the Emeu Hotel when it opened in 1858. Q3. How did a New Yorker end up in Heathcote?/How did you meet Fred? A3. Fred and I met on a plane flying between Brisbane and Melbourne. The rest is history, as they say, so when we decided to marry we needed to decide where to live. No, Heathcote wasn't our first stop. We decided on Melbourne. Several years later, we decided to start a new business together. See A1. Q4. Are you Canadian or American? A4. See Q3. Q5. Is Fred American too? A5. No, Fred is from Koln, Germany. He moved to Australia in 1962 after completing his chef's training in the Black Forest. He was the first apprentice at the Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne. Q6. Where's Heidi?/What happened to Heidi? A6. Heidi was our Pug. She enjoyed two years with us and eight months in Heathcote. Unfortunately, she lost her life to the road late one night. We miss her. Luckily, however, we have two new dogs – Brandy, a staffy/corgi X, and Max, a Jack Russell/Australian terrier X. They keep us entertained! Q7. Do you serve sandwiches/cappuccino/…? A7. No, but we have lots of light meals and great brewed, plunger coffee! We wanted to do something others in Heathcote weren't. We pride ourselves in offering an interesting & diverse menu and range of services like no other. Q8. How long have you been here?/ When did you open? Q8. Emeu Inn opened in October 1998. We opened with 3 B&B suites and a 26-seater restaurant. Five years later, Emeu Inn boasts 6 luxury B&B suites, a 20-seater restaurant (plus 16 seats al fresco dining) and a Wine Centre with over 40 Heathcote producer's wine! We've come a long way! In addition, Emeu Inn has won several awards for its Restaurant, B&B, Wine List. Q9. Are you glad you moved to Heathcote & opened this business? A9. It was a great move for us. We've enjoyed watching the community grow and making changes to our business based on what we hear customers are wanting. Emeu Inn continues to evolve. Q10. Where do your guests come from? A10. Most guests come from Melbourne, however, we have had guests from throughout Australia and New Zealand as well as from around the world. International visitation is on the increase with the interest in Heathcote wines. If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us or contact us via our online interest form! We'd be only to happy to reply! Best wishes.... Leslye and Fred Thies.