The Mornington Peninsula wineries are only an hour or so from Melbourne's CBD, and specialise in pinot noir and chardonnay, with pinot gris also winning acclaim.
Many local vignerons have recently opened restaurants and cafe next to the vines and stage events such as Peninsula Pinot Week, an important part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in early March.
The possibilities of this region were recognised more than 30 years ago because of its similarities with the cool-climate regions of France. The passion and commitment of Baillieu Myer and Nat and Rosalie White laid the foundation for a thriving and exciting industry at the forefront of Australian cool-climate wine production.
Today there are 150 vineyards throughout the Peninsula, 50 with cellar doors. Many offer views across Port Phillip and Western Port bays, while others nestle in intimate hinterland valleys.
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Darling Park is a boutique, family owned Vineyard and Winery, producing handcrafted, sophisticated wines of the highest quality. These Limited Release wines are made from grapes sourced from the finest vineyards in Australia. Determined to cultivate an International reputation for world class, distinctly different wines by using traditional winemaking methods, with attention to detail, pride and passion.
Darling Park holds a special place in the hearts of all who visit, our unique Cellar Door in Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The vineyard and grounds are a perfect place to spend an afternoon sipping the wine from our extensive collection, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Tarte Flambée and Regional Platters are served in the cellar door or on the veranda, with picnic groups welcome by prior arrangement.
Open from 11am to 5.30 pm Weekends and Public holidays
Darling Park Winery
232 Red Hill Road
Red Hill Vic 3937
www.darlingparkwinery.com
This picturesque property of vineyards, olive groves, wetlands and streams has started life rather auspiciously, winning four medals at the inaugural Cool Climate Wine Show, including gold for a very sophisticated Chardonnay. This wine is redolent of oatmeal and fine, subtle French oak, with a complex yet lean palate that finishes dry with some crisp, citrus acidity. There's also an easy drinking Riesling, and two Pinot Noirs: a light second label called Pennon, and a more complex, rich wine made hand-harvested, from low-cropped vines." Ralph Kyte-Powell
Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove
33 Red Hill Shoreham Rd
Red Hill Vic 3937
www.montalto.com.au
"Red Hill could have the best view from a winery in Australia, or the world for that matter. Combine that with a great restaurant, delicious wines including a couple of great sparkling wines, and the graciousness of owner Sir Peter Derham and you have an almost faultless package. Red Hill is a hard place to leave." Stuart Gregor
Red Hill Estate
53 Shoreham Rd
Red Hill South Vic 3937
www.redhillestate.com.au
"T'Gallant is the funkiest winery on the Peninsula. The cellar door always offers something new and unusual, the wines are always different but beautifully made, the labels are quite crazy and the restaurant La Baracca always seems to have something exciting going on. This is an innovative and often brilliant place and you must try their Tribute Pinot Gris - the 2000 vintage pays homage to French winemaker Jean Meyer." Stuart Gregor
T'Gallant
1385 Mornington Flinders Rd
Main Ridge Vic 3928
