Mornington Peninsula Wineries, Lunch, Chocolate and Cheese
Get picked up from your city hotel or meet at Melbourne Town Hall. Take a moment to meet your friendly guide, a local expert who will give a short introduction to the tour.
Pass through the bayside suburbs of Melbourne, heading inland for your first stop of the day.
Reach your first stop, Yabby Lake Vineyard. It was established in 1998 and, with 120 acres under vine, its focus is very much on pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris.
Take a short drive to Crittenden Estate Vineyard, one of the earlier planted vineyards on the Peninsula. It was established in 1984 by Gary Crittenden and is still run by the family.
Enjoy the cool climate, which is suitable for high-quality chardonnay and pinot noir. Italian and Iberian Peninsula varieties are also pursued here.
Skirt the Western Port Bay side of the Peninsula and arrive at Quealy Vineyard in Balnarring. Quirky and with a nod to Italian winemaking styles, it is a vineyard that leaves an impression.
Proceed for lunch at the charming Merricks General Store. Dating back to the early 1920s, this is one of the region's iconic establishments.
Enjoy a main course a la carte lunch and a glass of wine, followed by tea and coffee.
After lunch, visit Mornington Peninsula Chocolates in Flinders and Red Hill Cheese in Main Ridge.
(On days when either of these properties is closed, visit Stonier or Ten Minutes by Tractor Vineyards.)
Enjoy the ride back to Melbourne, savouring your precious memories, which will last for years to come.
