The Mornington Peninsula wine region Spotlight

The Mornington Peninsula is the first wine region in Australia I really fell head over heels for. There have been many since, and I’m sure there will be many more to come as I continue to explore, but you never forget your first love. When I moved to Melbourne for a year, I went and visited the Mornington Peninsula wine region many times. I still remember the first time I drove there around this time in April 2016 with my partner. It was a birthday trip and we stayed in a cozy little cottage with a fireplace. Each winery we visited made me fall more in love. This year I am heading back to share this amazing wine region with my sister, and cannot wait.

The Mornington Peninsula may not be as big as the Yarra Valley, but the boutique wineries and incredible food make it my wine region of choice. The wines are delicious, the cellar doors are welcoming and beautiful, and the restaurants are filled with local produce. Add sweeping views of the coastline, natural hot springs and nearby beaches and you’ve got an incredible weekend getaway!

The Mornington Peninsula wine region is one of Victoria’s well-kept secrets. While tours often go to the Yarra Valley, this wine region is famous amongst Melbourne locals but doesn’t get as much exposure across Australia or internationally. So this week in the lead up to my trip I thought I should do a Mornington Peninsula wine region spotlight to inspire your next trip!

Where is the Mornington Peninsula?

The Mornington Peninsula wine region is only around an hour away from Melbourne to the south. It is surrounded by the Bass Strait, Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay. It’s actually a beautiful drive and one that will take you to Melbourne’s popular weekend getaway spots such as Portsea. But if you drive inland from the coast, you’ll end up in the hills of the Mornington Peninsula and amongst incredible wineries.

The Mornington Peninsula wine region has around 200 small vineyards and over 50 cellar doors to visit. In amongst this are also exceptional cafes and restaurants offering delicious meals that are made with local fresh produce. You’ll also find so many activities there, whether its horse riding, relaxing in the natural hot springs or getting lost in a maze. There really is so much to do, however, if you’re like me you’ll be there for one thing: the wine.

Wine production in the Mornington Peninsula wine region dates back to 1886, where a Mornington Peninsula wine won an honourable mention in the Intercontinental Exhibition in London. However, in the 1920s many of the vineyards were abandoned or uprooted. It wasn’t until 1972 where the modern revival of the region began. A small group of vignerons realised the potential of the peninsula for producing high-quality wines. Since then the Mornington Peninsula wine region has built a global reputation for its wines and as a popular seaside destination.

What makes the Mornington Peninsula wine region special?

There are many reasons why the Mornington Peninsula is so special. Firstly, the climate and growing conditions for the grapes are perfectly sheltered by valleys with a maritime cool climate. The maritime influence provides relatively high humidity in summer and plenty of rainfall. This allows late ripening so the grapes have strong fruit flavours, high natural acidity and fine tannins.  This allows winemakers to make elegant wines with true personality.

But all wine speak aside, the best thing about the Mornington Peninsula wine region is the wine experience. The wineries are small and boutique, so each cellar door offers friendly and exceptional service. The cellar doors are also some of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen, each with something incredible to offer visitors. Some have sculpture gardens, others have sweeping views of the ocean. Then the people taking you through the wines are very friendly and open to discussing their wines in great length. You feel so welcomed by everyone in this wine region like an old friend visiting to sip on some great wine.

Oh and the wines. The wines are so delicious, and each cellar door offers something different. There are so many different wineries, each with different soils, different grapes and different styles. There truly is something for everyone’s taste here! That, and all the incredible food on offer! You’ll end up rolling down the hill with a full belly and a happy heart.

What to expect when you visit

For a small winery region, the wineries are actually quite spread out across the hill and valley. Some are within walking distance of one another, but for most, you’ll need a car or a tour to get around. In order to truly explore the region, you’ll need at least a couple of days, and make sure you stay the night!

There are plenty of accommodation options including hotels, cottages and houses on Air BnB. You can even stay at some of the wineries if you want to be as close to the wine action as possible. There are even some amazing luxury hotels which I myself could only dream of staying at. Maybe one day! For now, give me a cozy little cottage with a fireplace and I’m a very happy lady.

Food glorious food

There are plenty of local produce stores where you can get supplies to fill your cottage with cheeses, meats and delicious homemade pizzas and pasta. It makes for a perfect option after a day of drinking wine.

Or if you are like me and love eating out, there are so many options you won’t know where to start! There is so much choice between casual cafes, hearty brewery lunches, fine dining and bistros. There really is something to please everyone here, and so much incredible food to try! I love that you can go to a hatted restaurant but also have a casual winery lunch, all within the one place.

What about the wine?

For wine tastings, expect friendly service and a great selection of wines. Each winery has its own distinct personality and so you truly see something different at each one you go to. There’s also a range of breweries and distilleries to break up the wine tastings if you feel like it.

If you feel like doing some activities as well, there are so many options. My personal favourite is the peninsula hot springs which leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. But there are also plenty of walks and other experiences to try!

Wines of the Mornington Peninsula

The wine that the Mornington Peninsula wine region is best known for is Pinot Noir. It comprises half of the total plantings in the region, and the Mornington Peninsula is actually the third largest Pinot Noir region in Australia. The cool climate allows Pinot Noir to thrive, producing delicate and alluring wines that are packed with intensity.

Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir have distinct perfume and minerality with savoury tannins and a long lasting taste. Despite regions like Tasmania and the Yarra Valley is popular for Pinot Noir, the Mornington Peninsula is pumping out premium drops with really interesting flavours.

However, the Mornington Peninsula wine region is also well known for its Chardonnay, as well as increasingly Pinot Gris and Shiraz. Chardonnay thrives in the cool maritime climate, so expect to see some great bottles from here with beautiful flavours. A total of 21 different varieties are now planted in the area, making the offering of this region even more diverse. So there really is something for everyone here.

Where to find them

You can find some of the more well-known wineries quite widely in Australia. Mornington Peninsula wines are more likely to be available at boutique bottle stores, but it isn’t uncommon to see them in chain bottle stores too. They are definitely a lot easier to find somewhere like Melbourne!

For the smaller producers, you are best to purchase directly from the winery, either when you are there or online. Many of the wineries also offer wine clubs which dangerously deliver a selection of their wines directly to you!

The Cheeky Vino picks

I haven’t written much about Mornington Peninsula wines, but there were a few wineries that really stuck out to me when I last visited:

• Foxey’s Hangout – this winery has a great cellar door where you can learn to make your own sparkling! I actually really love their sparkling shiraz. Fun fact, the owners of this winery actually used the own the hotel that was turned into the apartments that I lived in! There’s great food options here too (mushroom sausage rolls, do I need to say more?)
• Port Phillip Estate – like something out of a James Bond film, this cellar door has a secret door that opens up to one of the most incredible views and buildings I’ve seen at a winery. Always bustling, there is a restaurant and a great selection of wines to sample
• Ocean Eight – for really special wines, look no further. Set in an old stable, the tasting selection is small, but all the wines are incredible
• Crittenden Estate – this winery is absolutely beautiful and filled with interesting Italian varieties! They also do bespoke tastings, so it is worth the visit
• Polperro – beautiful grounds that promote sitting around all day drinking wine in the sun
• Panton – a small boutique winery with really interesting varieties and a beautiful cellar door
• Red Hill Estate – This cellar door is huge and probably the most commercial one we visited. They do have great deals if you sign up to their wine club (I know I did) and their wines are delicious. Also worth a visit is their restaurant which has incredible views
• Paringa Estate – this winery has an incredible hatted restaurant and beautiful wines. Definitely worth a visit!

The final word on the Mornington Peninsula wine region

The Mornington Peninsula truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a cozy weekend getaway, or want to try some incredible wines, it has got what you need and more. This wine region will always hold a special place in my heart because of how amazing it is. It truly took my breath away with the wines, the food, the views and the whole experience.

Next time you see a Mornington Peninsula wine in the bottle shop, definitely check it out! You won’t be disappointed by the beautiful flavours and truly special wines.