Grape 🍇 harvest time has commenced at Mornington Peninsula wineries..

In the first of our series of Wine Regions We Visit, I thought I’d focus on one very close to my heart – our local area, the stunning Mornington Peninsula where the Journeys Rediscovered team is based. It is a region just one hour drive from Melbourne home to beautiful beaches, bushland, a vibrant foodie community, craft breweries & distilleries, & of course the Mornington Peninsula wineries.

Mornington Peninsula Wines are elegant cool climate wines, the region is renowned for world class Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is one of the world’s hardest grape varieties to grow but it loves the cool, maritime climate of Mornington Peninsula, Australia’s only wine region in a true cool, maritime climate. Many would say Pinot Noir’s “spiritual home” is Burgundy, but the higher regions of Mornington Peninsula offer something similar & Pinot Noir “has settled” well on the Mornington Peninsula.

Mornington Peninsula wineries also produce top-quality Pinot Gris/Grigio & Chardonnay; Shiraz & Tempranillo – the Peninsula certainly packs punch despite its size there is an exciting variety of wineries & wine styles. Home to 200 small-scale vineyards & boutique producers many family run – creative, forward-making winemakers & growers. There are more than 50 cellar doors.

Mornington Peninsula has no official subregions – but there is clear distinction between elevations/latitudes – locals refer to the higher altitude in the south as ‘up the hill” and the lower altitudes in the north as ‘down the hill.’ Harvest occurs late Feb to early April. Fruit is generally picked a couple weeks earlier northern, lower altitude areas, with up the hill areas picked later.

History -of the region, whilst some wine making in late 1800s but the region really took off from 1970s with the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Assoc starts in 1982.Peninsula winemakers refined signature varieties of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay in the 1990s and starting experimenting with new varieties – many new vineyards planted.

One of the biggest trends in MP winemaking today is the move from small to larger oak barrels for maturation, this creates more complex yet subtle wines, both new & old oak barrels – often French oak.

Top Varieties 2015 – 2019

Pinot Noir 48% Chardonnay 31% Pinto Gris/Grigio 14% Shiraz 3% Sauvignon Blanc 2% *** Figures from Wine Australia

Prominent wineries on the Mornington Peninsula include: Paringa Estate , Ten Minutes By Tractor, Pt Leo Estate, Willow Creek Vineyard (Jackalope), Foxeys Hangout, Trofeo Estate, Port Phillip Estate, T’Gallant, Yal Yal Estate, Montalto, Polperro Winery, Yabby Lake, Moorooduc Estate, Crittenden Estate, Quealy, Main Ridge Estate, Stonier, Red Hill Estate & Ocean Eight

This list is not extensive there are many other wonderful wineries to be explored on the Mornington Peninsula – Journeys Rediscovered regularly posts visits to these wineries on our social media, so follow us on Facebook or on @journeysrediscovered for our reviews.

The Mornington Peninsula is “the backyard” of Journeys Rediscovered – we can tailor holidays for individuals or small groups; featuring local’s tips, winery visits, restaurant reservations, accommodation, car hire or private transfers & day tours. A sample itinerary can be found on Culinary Journey of Mornington Peninsula

Our favourite place to stay on the Peninsula is Jackalope Hotel

As Journeys Rediscovered is a member of the luxury travel network Virtuoso, our guest receive extra benefits when staying at Jackalope Hotel:-

Virtuoso Amenities

For 2021:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary full breakfast for two guests per bedroom daily 
• $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Complimentary use of hotel car service, within 15 km radius
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Image Credit – Visit Victoria

Contact us at journeysrediscovered@mtatravel.com.au to organise your stay on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.