Mornington Peninsula Wineries – My Favourites

As a pleasure-seeking wine lover from way back, I’m lucky that I live close to of one of Australia’s many wonderful wine regions – the Mornington Peninsula.  It is one my favourite parts of the world because it has so many things going for it.  Apart from a plethora of wineries, there is also golf courses, bay beaches, ocean beaches, art galleries, mazes, hot springs, gardens, beautiful countryside and walks, wildlife and more!  However, this post is limited to the wineries of the Mornington Peninsula.  Hopefully, you can use this post to help you do some pleasure-seeking of your own!

Over the decades I have spent a not inconsiderable amount of time frequenting various wineries and so it’s only fair that I share my favourites with you.  However, that’s not to say that there aren’t a lot of other wineries that could be on this list, but these are just my favourites – at the moment!  There are about 50 or so cellar doors on the Peninsula and they are approximately 1 – 1.5 hrs from Melbourne.

So what does a winery need to get on my list of favourites? 

• Firstly, obviously, good wine!  But to be honest, pretty much all the wineries on the Peninsula have good wines.  It may be that you prefer one winery’s pinot noir to their chardonnay but you would be hard to please if you couldn’t find a few you liked at each cellar door.  Some wineries have free tastings and some do charge a few dollars each (unless you purchase some wine).  The area is known predominantly for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines as it is a cool climate wine area and known for its warm days, cool nights and ocean breezes.
• Also, I do I like a winery that has some food options.  It might, for instance, just be cheese platters or it might be an upmarket restaurant or something in between.  But somewhere where you can combine good food and good wine.  And I do find that food at these wineries is always very good.
• And then maybe something a little extra e.g. weekend live music, then that helps get them on my list too! 
• Finally, of course, it’s all about the experience as a whole, isn’t it!  In other words – beautiful scenery, good weather (hopefully), great service, good company all contribute to having a memorable experience.

Tip:  As the wineries have all got busier over the years, we try to get to our winery of the day by noon to beat the crowds.  This will give you time to have a tasting and then to get a table to eat.  For those wineries that have a more upmarket restaurant you will need to book ahead, and so no need to rush.  Call if you are not sure.

So in no particular order, here they are:

Montalto, Red Hill South

This seems to be one of our ‘go to’ options if we have overseas or interstate visitors.  Apart from the obligatory cellar door, it has both a café and a very good restaurant, which is great for special occasions (I had a birthday there once on a very hot March day). 

Their award winning wines are made from three different vineyards around the Peninsula.  The tastings at the cellar door are, however, some of the most expensive on the Peninsula at $10 each (redeemable if you buy some wine).  Book ahead if you have a group.  In fact, if you have a group there is an upper wine room with great views that would be ideal.  Or book a picnic by the lake for just yourselves or your group.  There are great views from pretty much everywhere!

Montalto also has extensive grounds where you can walk through encountering various sculptures – it’s really quite an amazing sculpture park.  Each year there is stiff competition for the Montalto Sculpture Prize.  There’s also a pretty cottage/vegetable garden up near the piazza café.  Lots of room on the lawn for the kids to run around too.

Days Open – 7 days a week

Grape varieties – from 5 different vineyards around the Peninsula:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Reisling, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Shiraz (cool climate Shiraz’s aren’t as gutsy as those from warmer climates)

Point Leo Estate, Merricks

The Point Leo Estate winery is quite new and has clearly had a lot of money spent on it.  As you drive up the beautiful tree lined drive you are greeted by a huge round sculpture called the Grand Arch at the entrance.  And when you enter the huge modern building, there are now two top quality restaurants on the right and the huge tasting/cellar door area on the left.  But what really hits you as you walk into this building are the truly spectacular views of Western Port Bay and rolling vineyards.

The two restaurants are the Point Leo Restaurant and the newer Laura restaurant.  The Point Leo Restaurant is a bistro style, one hat venue with beautiful views wherever you sit.  The award winning Laura restaurant is a more upmarket venue with a set menu.  Both are beautiful options.  I’d suggest the Laura restaurant is definitely more of a special occasion venue though.

Out past the cellar door/tasting area is the wine terrace where you can drink some wine and order some bar snacks.  The bar snacks are indeed delicious but somewhat expensive.  On the weekend sometimes there will be some live music out on the terrace.  Therefore, on a nice day it’s really a perfect place to park yourself for a while.  But perhaps don’t go hungry!

Point Leo Estate Sculpture Garden

One of the big features of this winery is the huge adjoining 19 acre sculpture garden.  Stunning pieces by local and overseas artists with such a magnificent backdrop really make this winery worth a visit.  There are some paved walking tracks around the park.  Be aware though that there is a charge for access to the sculpture garden – $10 for adults, children under 12 are free and older children and concession holders can enter for $5.  Those that dine at the Laura restaurant have free access to the Sculpture Park.  Even if you don’t enter through the gate to the sculpture garden, some of it will be visible from within the winery. 

So this winery is definitely a feature winery and a feast for the senses but it’s not really for the budget conscious.

Days Open – 7 days a week

Wine varieties – from 5 different vineyards around the Peninsula:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Shiraz

Tucks Ridge, Red Hill South

Right next door to and now owned by the abovementioned Montalto Winery is this relaxed, friendly winery of Tucks Ridge.  With stunning views over both the Tucks Ridge and Montalto wineries and lots of fun outdoor seating options makes this a great stop on any winery tour.

The wine tasting is a unique experience where you are given blind tastings, you write your thoughts of the wine on a small whiteboard and then they reveal what you are actually drinking.  Good fun!  As with most of the Mornington Peninsula wineries, the wines are very good and they specialise in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties but also have a few others. 

The food here I really love and is not going to cost you a fortune. It’s a combination of indoor and outdoor seating.  Perfect place on a nice day.  This restaurant is more geared towards share plates and platters.  But if you don’t like sharing there’s options for you too!

Days Open – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Grape varieties – made from wines exclusively in the Tucks Ridge Vineyards:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Savagnin , Shiraz.

Yabby Lake, Tuerong

Yabby Lake is the closest to where we live (30 mins away) and, therefore, closest to Melbourne in general.  It is forever linked in my mind to the sight of a mob of kangaroos bounding through the vines in the afternoon.  It’s also another winery with a gorgeous tree lined drive up to the winery.

With beautiful views, including a lake of course, this winery is a perfect place to sit outside and enjoy a local pinor noir or perhaps a more gutsy shiraz from their Heathcote vineyard.  Or book yourself in for a long lunch surrounded by indoor and outdoor artworks.  Also, in the winter, a nice option is a glass of wine and a cheese platter on the leather lounges in front of the fire.  Perfect!

There are actually two options for eating here.  Eat inside with the restaurant menu or out on the lawn or deck with a lighter menu. 

Days Open – 7 days a week

Grape varieties – made from the peninsula vineyard and also Heathcote vineyard (Heathcote vineyards are known for their full bodied shirazes):  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz.

Foxey’s Hangout, Red Hill

I’ve been to Foxeys’ Hangout many times.  It’s quite casual and good for delicious light lunches and shared plates made from local produce.  Owned by two brothers that have run it for two decades who, therefore, certainly know what they are doing.  Good wine and simple but delicious food.  It has beautiful views, as they all do.  However, not a lot of money spent on fancy furniture and no special extras like a sculpture park or live music but I really love the feel and atmosphere of the place.  A lovely, friendly winery.  It’s especially good sitting outside on a sunny day.

Days Open – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

Grape varieties – Made from vineyards on the winery and elsewhere on the Peninsula:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Shiraz.

Rare Hare at Willows Creek Vineyard, Merricks North                                                     

Rare Hare at Willow Creek vineyard is a fabulous place and another winery with a beautiful tree lined drive up to the car park.  Even before you’ve entered the main building you know you are in for a treat here.  A massive sculpture of a hare greets you as you get out of your car.  In the main building is the barrel room cellar door and the wonderful Rare Hare restaurant.  Have a tasting first and then head into the restaurant.  You can either book ahead for a sit-down meal with bucolic views of the vineyards or arrive early for a stool at the comfortable benches close to the bar (some might say the best spot).  The Rare Hare has fabulous share plates.  However they are not large serves, although it is excellent flavoursome food. 

And just a few steps away adjoining the Rare Hare is the 5 star luxury Jackalope Hotel which also has it’s own restaurant and cocktail bar.  The cocktail bar is a favourite with me because firstly, it’s unique looking and beautiful and secondly, it has the only pool table that I’ve ever beaten John on!

If your pockets are very deep you could have a weekend staying at the Jackalope Hotel and not have to drive anywhere.  Take a morning swim in the pool, followed by coffee outside on the lounge chairs, a wine tasting and then a long lunch at the Rare Hare, afterwards head back to the Jackalope’s cocktail bar for a game of pool and a cocktail.  By this stage, you may need an afternoon nap, or perhaps a spa treatment, and then up in time for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant called Doot Doot Doot.

Days Open – 7 days a week

Grape varieties – from their vineyards:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Shiraz/Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc

Polperro, Red Hill

Love this place!  One of the reasons is that the setting here at Polperro is simply beautiful.  Firstly, you walk through some gorgeous cottage gardens and then out to a lawn area where you can relax with a cheese platter and wine whilst looking through the most magnificent gum trees down the slope over the vineyards to a small lake (which you can later wander down to with a glass of wine, sit on a bench by the lake and contemplate the meaning of life).  Alternatively, take a left as you enter this lawned area and enter the beautiful restaurant and its very intimate cellar door.

I have very fond memories of being here on Australia Day listening to the Triple J’s Top 100, sitting out on the lawn with magnificent views, only moving to grab a cheese and cracker or to raise a wine glass to my lips.  It was a perfect weather day and one of those times where life does not get any better!

And this winery also has some beautiful luxury accommodation on site too.

Days Open – 7 days a week

Grape varieties – from their vineyards:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris.

Panton’s Vineyard, Shoreham

Panton’s is just sneaking in to my list of favourites because I have only just discovered this place recently and so have only been once.  It has a beautiful old homestead, big old trees and well cared for gardens.  The outdoor eating tables are placed in a really picturesque setting. 

It’s has been family owned and run for about 20 years, however, the cellar door has only been open for a couple of years, I believe.  Service and wine was lovely here but the clincher for me was the best cheese platter I have ever eaten.  Therefore, we need to go back, if for nothing else, for the cheese platter!!

Days Open – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Grape varieties – from their vineyards:  Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

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Hope you’ve enjoyed this Travel Inspiration from an Empty Nester!

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Mornington Peninsula Wineries

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