HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS
Robert & Sally Molines - Robert comes from the South of France on the French Riviera, a village called Beausoleil (meaning ‘beautiful sun’), adjacent to
Robert was educated at The Catering Institute of Nice and Menton. His stepfather of Italian origin, was chef for The Palace of Monaco.
His mother was appointed at The French Consulate in
Robert worked in
He opened the very popular Eliza’s in
Robert opened his first restaurant in 1972 in Potts Point called Le Sagittaire which is where he met Sally who he later married.
Robert and Sally moved to The Hunter Valley in late 1973, after selling the restaurant in Potts Point to take up management of The Happy Valley Restaurant on
They married in May 1975 and made a home at Apple Porch in Broke.
In 1978 they opened The Pokolbin Cellar Restaurant (part of then Hungerford Hill Wine Village), and while operating the restaurant they took control of all catering at The Rothbury Estate for Mr Len Evans OBE OA, and also opened The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate. The
In 1979 Robert and Sally’s first son Louis was born, followed by a second son Joseph in 1984, making them a complete family.
In 1989 Robert and Sally became involved in The Pepper Tree Project with Mike and Suzie O’Connor (Peppers Hotel Group) and Murray and Linley Robson (Robson Wine Group). The three couples and partners established the unique destination of Pepper Tree with The Convent, Pepper Tree Wines and Robert’s Restaurant which opened officially in October 1991.
Robert and Sally then sold all their other enterprises to concentrate on Robert’s Restaurant, which soon became a success within itself. In 1998 they joined The Tower Estate Group with Mr Len Evans as Chairman, as the restaurant went from strength to strength.
With the passing of Mr Evans, Robert and Sally made an offer to repurchase Robert’s which was ultimately refused, and Robert and Sally decided it was time to undertake new endeavours in the growing area of the Hunter.
Currently they are operating a traditional French Bistro (Bistro Molines) at Margan Cellar Door on
In October, 2008 Bistro Molines moved to a beautiful destination at Mount View on top of the hill at Tallavera Grove. Between the spectacular aspect similar of French Provincial country it offers a serene and amazing unspoilt part of the Hunter Valley; Bistro Molines, with Roberta and Sally at the helm is possibly the best discovery to experience.
Robert and Sally Molines were inducted as Hunter Valley Living Legends in 2018.