Your trip’s most difficult decision will be deciding which wineries to visit. You can almost certainly be sure that none in the area will let you down, but if you’re pressed for time, we’ve chosen 10 Mornington Peninsula wineries for you.
You’ve come to the right location if you’re a wine enthusiast. The peninsula, which has Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay on either side, is ideal for producing outstanding cool-climate wines, especially chardonnay and pinot noir.
On the Mornington Peninsula wineries, there are currently more than 200 vineyards, 60 wineries, and at least 50 cellar doors. With pockets at Moorooduc and Tuerong in the north and Balnarring and Merricks in the direction of Western Port Bay, the majority are concentrated around Red Hill, Red Hill South, and Main Ridge.
These vineyards are among of the must-sees if you’re going to visit Mornington Peninsula wineries.
Montalto
There are many reasons to stop and spend the afternoon at Montalto Vineyard, including its fine-dining restaurant, wood-fired pizza oven, and sculpture stroll. Booking its private “picnic experience” is arguably the most distinctive experience (and luxurious way to taste its wines in the summer months).
There are ten private areas on the property that may be reserved for groups of two to eight individuals. These areas have exquisitely arranged tables and a menu that emphasizes local ingredients. For those who are interested in learning more about the procedure, Montalto also offers a fantastic “behind the scenes” wine tour.
Pt Leo Estate
The 135-hectare Pt Leo Estate state, which is close to Merricks, has seen the Gandel family, the property’s owners, invest more than $50 million in recent years, and it shows. The expansive estate now boasts a fantastic sculpture park with views of Western Port Bay, a lovely cellar door area, restaurants, and exquisite lodging.
Make sure you allow plenty of time for the sculpture walk’s self-guided tour. It is stunning.
Merricks General Store
One of the pleasures of a drive from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula is Merricks General Store. You can try and savor local wines from Elgee Park and Baillieu Vineyard as well as a hand-picked selection of wines from friends and neighbors at the rustic store.
Additionally, there is a fantastic supermarket where you can buy delights to bring home with you, as well as a café serving some of the best breakfasts on the peninsula.
Jackalope
The Willow Creek Vineyard, where pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet, pinot gris, and sauvignon blanc are produced, is where Jackalope is located.
If you want to spoil yourself, reserve a few nights at one of the opulent hideaways so you can take advantage of the opulent day spa, the top-notch restaurants (Doot Doot Doot is their fine dining option while Rare Hare Wine & Food Store is a more relaxed experience), and the breathtaking infinity pool with a view of the vines.
Ten Minutes by Tractor
Reserve a table at the restaurant’s name, Ten Minutes by Tractor, which has a view of the vineyards, and sip some of the estate’s celebrated wines. Additionally, you can converse with winemakers who are improving their methods and shifting to fully organic farming (the use of herbicides has already been eliminated).
If you want to taste Ten Minutes by Tractor wines but don’t have time for a lunch, a new cellar door opens in January 2020. The winery suffered damage from a fire a time back, but the revitalized cellar door experience should be outstanding.
Foxeys Hangout
Foxeys Hangout in Red Hill is the ideal place to pass some time because it is located in such a lovely area. The atmosphere is quite laid-back, and winemaker Tony Lee is also a trained chef, so they have a terrific selection of sharing plates to go with their wines.
The braised leeks with goat curd, blood orange, and mint, as well as the mushroom sausage buns with smoked tomato sauce, are perennial favorites. In the summer, take advantage of the views from the deck or enjoy your meal and wine in the cozy dining room.
Paringa Estate
Paringa Estate must be on your schedule just for the restaurant after earning two chefs’ hats in the 2019 and 2020 Good Food Guides. The local wines go nicely with the food, which is a celebration of seasonal ingredients obtained locally.
The restaurant and basement door also have sizable glass windows that provide gorgeous views of the surrounding rolling hills and vines.
Polperro
A high-end, single-vineyard label called Polperro specializes in pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris. It’s a terrific spot to unwind with opulent lodging, a cozy cellar entrance, and an excellent restaurant.
The restaurant, which is surrounded by a vibrant kitchen garden, has a great atmosphere. In the summer, diners may have a leisurely meal on the terrace under the sun before continuing their night with beverages and music.
Many Little
The owners of Even Keel and Polperro Winery run this Red Hill all-day cafe, bar, and cellar door, which isn’t officially a winery but is a terrific place to unwind and sample a wide range of regional food and wine.
Try the owner’s favorite local wines, beers, and ciders while mingling with the locals who have rapidly chosen this hub as their home.
Main Ridge Estate
This winery is a little less well-known but is nonetheless well worth finding. The relatively small two-hectare vineyard at Main Ridge Estate, which was the peninsula’s first officially recognized winery, continues to produce some of the greatest wines in the region.
Limited barrels of wines that reflect the place and season are produced as a result of the decision to solely create wine from grapes cultivated on-site. If you wish to do more than just sample their wines at the cellar door, you can enjoy your wine with a little lunch on the sundeck while admiring the peaceful, bushy valley. You can relax by the fire in the functioning winery during the cooler months.
If you are in West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, and looking for a winery tour to Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, this is the best way to visit us.
Winery Tour Yarra Valley
Unit 201/98 River Esplanade
Docklands, VIC 3008
(03) 7042 3201