Mornington Peninsula recommendations

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I'm looking to spend Wednesday and Thursday 9-10 November on the Mornington. Can you recommend some 'must visit' wineries, including some good spots for lunch?

Many thanks
Allan

[Red Smurf]

Enjoyed my time at Crittenden. Rollo is a great bloke. They have a nice little spot and a good tasting facility.
A must visit for me as he is doing some interesting things in the cellar, especially with his Savagnin.
Tasted his ox savagnin out of barrel and it's amazing. Three and a halve years under voile so far from memory. He has got the texture and acidity perception very close to the real thing. Lots of effort and some heart ache has gone into it. For me it will be the best ox wine so far in Australia when its released.

Also enjoyed Two Buoys on the bay. Great view to sit and chill, lovely tapas food and interesting wines

[Ozzie W]

Some good cellar door recommendations here: http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15204&p=1350933

[Ozzie W]

There's some great restaurants attached to some of the wineries. Take a look at Ten Minutes by Tractor, Paringa Estate and Port Phillip Estate.

[Rory]

Allan,

10 Minutes of you need to spend heaps, otherwise it's sister restaurant Petit Tractor is more accessible. Many other winery places aren't open Wednesday & Thursday, so call ahead.

Drop in and have a coffee with me, Cellar & Pantry, cnr Red Hill Rd & Point Leo Rd ..... bets coffee in town

Rory

[paulf]

Are you chasing certain types of wine Allan, or are you taking a more general approach?

The list in the link above still stands, although you can rule out Hurley as they won't be open one weekend in the month.
I'd also add Willow Creek, and Eldridge Estate to the list (the Eldridge Gamay and the Gamay/Pinot blend have just been released so worth a look for something a little different.

It is probably the same question for the food - Montalto, Paringa, Port Phillip and Ten Minutes by tractor are the 'hatted' restaurants. There will be a bunch of other options as well such as Merricks general store, Yabby Lake, Polperro, Stillwater at Crittenden, The Long Table and a bunch of others.

[michel]

I respect Eldridge & Main Ridge

[Dragzworthy]

Thanks to Michel for starting this thread and contributors for ideas. No intention to hijack but I am also visiting mornington peninsula in my annual return home to Melbourne in December from Singapore (home for the last 9 years).

Looking to do a Chardonnay tour - recommended wineries I've been told are Yabby Lake and Moorooduc Estate.. any thoughts or additions etc?

[Diddy]

2nd votes for Moorooduc Estate and Main Ridge. I'd also throw in Myrtaceae.

Montalto is also a good food choice - both formal and informal, plus they have a decent range of wines on tasting too.

[paulf]

Thanks to Michel for starting this thread and contributors for ideas. No intention to hijack but I am also visiting mornington peninsula in my annual return home to Melbourne in December from Singapore (home for the last 9 years).

Looking to do a Chardonnay tour - recommended wineries I've been told are Yabby Lake and Moorooduc Estate.. any thoughts or additions etc?

I am not a big Chardonnay fan, but I have enjoyed Chardonnay from 10 minutes by tractor and Kooyong in recent years. I tend to favor racier leaner chardonnay so take those recommendations as you will.

[simon1980]

if I had a day, I would visit Eldridge, MRE, 10 mins, Montalto and Moorooduc. They are all close together (except moorooduc, which is easily accessible just off the highway on the way down). Other options are Kooyong, Paringa, Ocean 8 and Scorpo.

Most cellar doors are on their 2014's currently...but MRE and Montalto are on to their excellent 15's. MRE is down to single bottle purchase of the half acre.

For those visiting this weekend, Ocean 8 are doing barrel tastings of the 16's, which may be of interest.

[Rossco]

another vote for Merricks General Store

Montalto 2015 Chardonnays are spectacular

Portsea Estate Pinto Gris was cracking last time I tried it too.

Here is a great little site as well

http://mpva.com.au/wineries

[via collins]

Allan, if you're willing to take a punt an put yourselves entirely in the hands of a local, The Mornington Plunge is pretty amazing. I was gifted a day this year by my wife, and it was unforgettably good - shall fill you in when I see you. I need to add that the host is a friend of mine, I wasn't aware that he was until I was "plunged" in, but it was a gold-plated ripper: http://www.mpplunge.com.au/

Cheers,

[Waiters Friend]

Thank you for all the recommendations. I managed to visit 8 wineries in the two days, and spent way too much money. As you would expect, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris dominated the purchases, with a smattering of other varieties. The Peninsula seems to be giving Shiraz a go as well.

Wineries visited, in no particular order: Eldridge Estate, Main Ridge Estate, Paringa Estate, Tucks Ridge Estate, Port Phillip Estate / Kooyong, Pier 10, Moorooduc Estate and Montalto. Purchases made at all. It's been a good couple of days.

Cheers
Allan

[Dragzworthy]

Just about to leave tomorrow and it's been a great trip. Unfortunately I was only able to visit a few wineries as Mrs Dragz and baby Dragz were in tow. I really enjoyed Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay (the basic Chardonnay was my pick despite being half price of the top stuff) and lunch at Paringa Estate was fantastic. I'm not much of a fan of Pinot Noir but 'The Paringa' was outstanding - very tart, cherry like Flavours, reminded me of a more refined and lighter Sangiovese. Contrary to recommendations, I didn't think as much of Yabby Lake as what I'd hoped sadly.