This is not a notion to which I subscribe, despite the fact that lunch has never been on my priority list. In fact, most days I skip it. Not good for me I know, but it is difficult to break the habit of a workaday lifetime.

That said, over the years I have enjoyed some truly wonderful lunches that linger fondly in the culinary data bank.

Of course, the food on offer is a vital element of the experience, but it is the time, the place, the reason and, above all, the company that turns any such occasion, whether grand or modest, formal or informal, into a memorable event.

All these ingredients fell into place a few weeks ago when I revelled in one such marvellous repast.

Time: plenty of it - on holiday, relaxed, no pressure, no worries (as the Aussies say).

Place: fabulous - an escarpment in the Yarra Valley northeast of Melbourne with stunning views over one of Australia's major wine-producing areas.

Reason: my 60th birthday (60 is the new 40, by the way, or so I'm told – whatever that means).

Company: none better - close family and friends.

And the lunch itself? Definitely not for wimps. Excellent contemporary Australian fare, it was bold, brash and bountiful. Fulsome yet subtle flavours combined powerfully with attractive presentation and it was all served with relaxed aplomb on the veranda at the RiverStone Estate winery's restaurant.

The kangaroo steak – the first I have had – was delicious, succulent and full of flavour. Also popular among our party as a main course was the prawns in a delicate chilli sauce – real beasts these, big and juicy, not the minnows we tend to call prawns in the UK.

Cooked on the open gourmet grill in the restaurant, all mains were served with wonderful chunky style potatoes and onions and a choice from a range of home-made salads.

We washed it down with a few bottles of RiverStone's excellent Sparkling NV Brut Reserve, Cabernet Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.

It was difficult to pull ourselves away but needs must. We had to complete our tour and had one winery left to sample in the company of Bill, our engaging and informative guide who runs Wildlife Tours based at Werribee to the southwest of Melbourne and speaks about his country and its history with eloquent passion.

Bill had done us equally proud a few days earlier with an excursion to enjoy the Australia Day celebrations and a picnic at the Hanging Rock racetrack.

Gordon Gekko should give lunch a try sometime.