Cameron Howe, The Mordialloc Chronicle
November 27, 2017
Our backyard and the Mornington Peninsula are home to some diverse wineries matching culinary experiences with vistas that can be shared with a glass of white or red. The Mordialloc Chronicle has reviewed wineries within a short 30 minute drive of Mordialloc for our readers.
1. Yabby Lake Vineyard
Casual and quintessentially Australian, Yabby Lake Vineyard sits atop a small valley amongst the gum trees. The al fresco setting brings the country inside and the service is exceptional, with staff members only looking to improve the experience.
Yabby Lake are renowned for their Chardonnay that made James Halliday’s Top 100 and trophy award winning Pinot Noir, which is supple and smooth with gentle spices.
Also worth a mention is the sculpture collection that can be viewed from the outside deck, including a piece by prominent sculptor Deborah Halpern.
86-112 Tuerong Rd, Tuerong VIC 3915
2. Craft and Co – Farm
Formally Patterson Lakes Estate over a decade ago, Craft and Co have taken the estate to new heights, which serves honest and hearty dishes from paddock to plate. You can consider this one to be your ‘local’ and is the only working winery in the immediate area, which also has huge grassed areas for the kids to run around in.
Larger bookings are accepted and their Sauvignon Blanc (our recommendation) can be enjoyed from the large bench seating outdoors.
170 Riverend Rd, Bangholme VIC 3175
3. Dromana Estate
The quaint, historical Tuerong Homestead at Dromana Estate has rolling timber floors and an ambient setting. The professional and friendly service can be enjoyed inside or out on the patio overlooking the rolling vineyards.
This stalwart continues to produce well awarded and reviewed, premium quality wines. French barrels are filled with the estate’s Chardonnay which is crisp, fruity and has hints of peach. But perhaps you might prefer their Pinot Noir.
Dromana Estate also has an onsite restaurant called Terre with a wide range of dishes, including duck and gourmet pizzas.
555 Old Moorooduc Rd, Tuerong VIC 3915
4. Stumpy Gully Vineyard
The large solid-timber door at the entrance leads to a naturally lit room and cellar door that is met with friendly service from the second generation owners.
Stumpy Gully produce anything from your classic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to more exotic varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Marsanne, and since 1998 the first Peninsula-grown Sangiovese.
Stumpy Gully’s reasonably priced, hand-crafted wines can be enjoyed indoors or from the patio that looks into a sea of vines.
1247 Stumpy Gully Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933
5. Moorooduc Estate
The round-earthed building is an escape from the summer heat with its concrete floors and rustic setting. The estate offer a range of hand-made wines manufactured from wild yeast, but the highlight is the Pinot Gris, with its rich, textured taste that has pear flavours.
Unfortunately the experience is dulled by the disengaged staff.
501 Derril Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933
Mornington Peninsula’s new addition: Point Leo Estate
Although more than a 30 minute drive, Point Leo Estate is worth a notable mention.
Roll over McCelland Gallery, Point Leo Estate has an ambitious big budget sculpture park that sits on a 134 hectare site, with 30 unique art pieces, and vistas of Western Port Bay and Phillip Island.
The Gandel family’s $50 million dollar project has only just recently opened its doors to the public, but is already proving popular, with its entry lined with European cars, and golf buggys ready to drive you to the front door. Rolling concrete walls make for an impressive entrance. Once inside you can take a seat in the 100 seat restaurant or head outside to enjoy the cellar door and its panoramic views of the bay.
3649 Frankston – Flinders Rd, Merricks VIC 3916
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