Sample 4 of the Mornington Peninsula’s best wines
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Published on 27th January 2015 in Blog, Mornington Peninsula Activities
With over 50 cellar doors and a huge selection of local varietals, Mornington Peninsula is the ultimate holiday destination in Victoria for wine lovers. High-class dining accompanied by the best wines is a common feature of many visits here.
If you're looking for a way to unwind after an afternoon on the golf course, consider knocking on these cellar doors and sampling four of Mornington Peninsula's best wines.
Pinot Grigio at Quealy and Balnarring Vineyard
This small, family-run vineyard is located in Balnarring, toward the eastern edge of the peninsula, and focuses its wine-making efforts on Italianate varieties and styles. The quality of the wines is matched by the friendly welcome you'll receive from the friendly staff. A tour of the vineyard feels almost like a stroll with a friend.
Quealy is known for its excellent Pinot Noirs, Moscatos and Muscats, but we'd recommend the Pinot Grigio. It's a powerful white wine with a sightly pinkish hue, attributed to errant Pinot Noir vines on site. Aromas of rock pools, honey and grapefruit typify this superb wine.
The cellar door is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pinot Noir at Phaedrus Estate
Phaedrus Estate's 10-acre vineyard is found in Moorooduc and has been producing outstanding wines since 1997. Visit this cellar door on weekends between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., or at other times by appointment.
Half of the vineyard is dedicated to five clones of Pinot Noir, with the other half comprising Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Shiraz. The Pinot Noir has a lively palate, filled with rich fruit sweetness and aromas of cherries and spice.
Crittendon Estate's 'Peninsula'
It would be remiss to visit Mornington Peninsula and not try a wine named after this wonderful area. Crittendon Estate is a family run vineyard in Dromana whose wines have won countless awards over the past 30 years.
The Peninsula range is Crittendon's piece de resistance, comprising a fruity and complex Pinot Noir, a smoky and textured Fume Blanc, and a rich and acidic Chardonnay. A few bottles of each make the perfect souvenir from your visit.
Chardonnay at Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove
Montalto Vineyard in Red Hill is a complete culinary experience. The winery produces a range of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Rose, Tempranillo and Shiraz. The 1,500 on-site olive trees are used to produce olive oils, marinated olives, and olive tapenade. Meanwhile, the Chef's Hat restaurant is regarded as one of the best on the peninsula.
Montalto's pride and joy is its Chardonnay. A perky wine that blends oatmeal creaminess with ginger spicyness and grapefruit acidity, it's won awards at wine shows from Perth to London and everywhere in between.