About an hour drive south of Melbourne brings you to the Mornington Peninsula which because of its maritime climate is home to some of the wealthy wine enthusiasts, beach walks and great local dining. Since the first plantation of grapes in the 19thCentury, the Peninsula is enriched with over 50 cellar doors.
Within a day’s driving in and out of Melbourne, lot of wine lovers go for private day tours of the Mornington Peninsula and often look for list of places not to be missed and here we take a look at few of them.
Top Mornington Peninsula Wineries
Eldridge Estate
Winemaker and owner David Lloyd has achieved perfection in making Pink Noir with his hard work and precision. He is dedicated to the level that he ferments the Burgundian varieties of grapes naturally without using yeast and age them in French Oak.
Without a doubt Eldridge Estate caters for one of the very best Pinot Noir of the Mornington Peninsula and David also offers a Chardonnay.
After his partner passed away in 2014, he dedicates his Chardonnay to her and name it the Wendy Chardonnay. His wines combine very well with food and Eldridge Estate is not a place to be missed.
Website: www.eldridge-estate.com.au
Ph: 0414758960
Address: 120 Arthurs Seat Rd Red Hill,
Opening Time: 1200-1600 hrs Mon-Fri, 1100-1700 Sat-Sun
Montalto
Onwed by the Mitchell family, Montalto is a must visit winery which caters the best Chardonnay which has been described as ‘power and grace personified’ by James Halliday.
Montalto is mixture of great wine, world-class food and the massive 1500 trees olive Grove. You can enjoy wine tasting as well as olive oil tastings in the same cellar door. Montalto also has a beautiful wetland walk and paths through the vineyard.
This place is perfect fit in your private day tour of the Mornington Peninsula wine region.
Website: www.montalto.com.au
ph: 0359898412
Address: 33 Shoreham Rd Red Hill South,
Opening Time: 1100-1700 hrs Mon-Sun
Stonier
Stonier is one of the first vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula and winemaker Geraldine McFaul after joining in 2003 has taken the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to another level.
The charismatic airy cellar door designed by Daryl Jackson sits perfectly in the vineyard. Being on the east cost of the Peninsula, Stonier has cooler weather conditions which help produce a good Chardonnay.
Website: www.stonier.com.au
Ph: 0359898300
Address: 2 Thompsons Lane Merricks
Opening Time: 1100-1700 hrs Mon-Sun
Willow Creek Vineyard
Willow Creek Vineyard is home of the Rare Bare and Jackalope Hotel and a perfect location for wine tasting, good food and the massive hotel providing 5 star accommodation. The cellar door sitting on top of the slight hill overlooks the beautiful vineyard and is home to wines from Rare Hare and Willow Creek Vineyard.
They offer three different types of tastings Classic, Premium and Wine Immersion. Depending upon the tasting you choose matching food can be purchased from the restaurant.
Mixture of traditional cellar door and a funky modern eatery makes this a must visit place on your private tour of the Mornington Peninsula wine region.
Website: www.rarehare.com.au
Ph: 0359312502
Address: 166 Balnarring Road, Merricks North
Opening Time: 1100-1700 hrs Mon-Sun
Ten Minutes By Tractor
There are three vineyards from where the wine is produced and they are ten minutes from each other by tractor hence the name.
This place is very modern and a hit with the ladies. Owner Martin Spedding has built a beautiful deck overlooking the valley where the cellar door and restaurant are located.
They focus on making the wines that complement the fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavours and not dominate them. Another one of my personal favourites and highly recommend wineries.
Website: www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au
Ph: 0359896080
Address: 1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd Main Ridge
Opening Time: 1000-1700 hrs Mon-Sun
Green Olive at Red Hill
Not far and nearly opposite the Ten Minutes By Tractor is this beautiful venue offering tapas, in a farm shop restaurant with a patio and scenic views of the vineyard.
This place is perfect for lunch and if travelling with kids they have a outdoor play area which will keep them occupied while you share a private moment with your better half. Service is fantastic and the chefs do justice with the simple yet satisfying menu.
As the name suggests they offer different olive oil and olive tastings with their farm baked bread. Being very popular among locals and tourists we recommend you pre booked your table to avoid long waits especially if travelling on the weekend.
Website: www.greenolive.com.au
Ph: 0359892992,
Address: 1180 Mornington-Flinders Rd Main Ridge
Opening Time: 0900-1700 hrs Mon-Fri
Port Phillip Estate
Located in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula, mesmerising and breathtaking panoramic views of the vineyards to the Bay and a big award winning restaurant makes the Port Phillip Estate one of the favourite wedding venues in the area.
Often booked for weddings it’s advised to check for availability before heading there. Impressive building and dining space, massive cellar doors, amazing meals and first class service are few things to mention.
Another personal favourite and must visit place on your private tour of the Mornington Peninsula.
Website: www.portphillipestate.com.au
Ph: 0359894444
Address: 63 Red Hill Rd, Red Hill South
Opening Time: 1100-1700 hrs Sun-Thu 1100-2100 hrs Fri-Sat
Contact us
A chauffeur driven private wine tour of the Mornington Peninsula with Chauffeur Link Melbourne offers you the freedom to customise your day and visit vineyards of your own choice with no time lines to follow.
We cater for couples and small to medium groups with an extensive range of Premium European Sedans, SUVs and Mercedes Benz V Class People Movers. All our drivers are experienced and full of local knowledge of the Mornington Peninsula wine region.
