Gallery: Mornington Peninsula Winter Wine Fest

Wine lovers travelled from as far away as Ireland to taste the best Mornington Peninsula drops. See the photos.

Glen Iris couple Nathan Lomas and Ellen Inglese got engaged before arriving at the Winter Wine Fest at Red Hill Showgrounds. Picture: Lucy Callander

Thousands of visitors are expected to sip and savour their way around the Mornington Peninsula during a three-day celebration of wine.

The annual Winter Wine Weekend kicked off with a showcase exhibition and tasting on Saturday from 11am – 4pm in the Pavilions at Red Hill Showgrounds.

Close to 900 wine lovers tasted drops from 40 local wineries and tucked in to dishes from Paringa Estate, Barmah Park and Montalto, Alatonero, Lindenderry and Boatshed Cheese.

Among the crowd was a young couple celebrating their engagement.

Nathan Lomas popped the question that morning to Ellen Inglese.

“He took me to the beach in Mornington, which I thought was a bit odd as it was pretty cold and grey,” Ms Inglese said.

“I had no idea what he was planning. But when he kept insisting that we go to the beach, I thought there was something going on.”

Mr Lomas said he wanted to ask for Ellen’s hand at the place they had spent so much time when they first started dating.

“Keeping it a secret was hard, I’m still amazed I managed it,” he said.

The Glen Iris couple said they always attended the wine fest and it was the perfect place to celebrate their news with friend and family.

Mornington Peninsula Wine chief executive Olivia Barrie said was thrilled with the festival’s success.

“We came very close to selling out ahead of opening,” she said.

Other hallmark events over the weekend included a Meet the Makers dinner at Ten Minutes by Tractor, and Whiskey Wine and Dine at Barmah park on Friday night and the Tucks Pork and Pinot Festival and the Winter Wine Fest Long Table Lunch at Kerri Greens, both on Sunday.

Check out our gallery of the event below:

This crew has been attending the Winter Wine Fest for years with some coming from as far away as Perth to catch up with friends at the event. (left to right) Steve Papadopoulos, Perth, Stacey Carlino, Perth, Maxine and Steve McGovern, Melbourne, Anna Leibel, Blairgowrie, Blase Staszowski, Blairgowrie. Picture: Lucy Callander

A chilly start to the day didn’t dim the smiles of John and Lisa Pryor, who travelled from Torquay to enjoy the Winter Wine fest with Mary and Dan Moore from Hawthorn. Picture: Lucy Callander

Starting the day with some sparkling from Foxey’s Hangout were Tessa Kennelly of Blackburn and Kurt Dwyer-Williams from Abbotsford. Picture: Lucy Callander

The Winter Wine Fest was a popular place to enjoy a girl’s day out (left to right) Kylie Harrison, Somerville, Monique Heitzmann, Brighton, Julie-Anne Stanford, Elwood, Amie Meyer, Mornington, Tash Barnes, Somerville. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mia Di Giambattista of Box Hill, Lily Lynch of Yarraville, Nikki Nespeca from Footscray and Reegan Corish from Richmond. Picture: Lucy Callander

Tasting an Elgee Park pinot noir were Heidi Wagstaff and Lois Tristram both from Melbourne. Picture: Lucy Callander

Introducing some of Victoria’s best wines to Tassie friend Sheridan Deane (middle) were Mornington Peninsula locals Laura Mazurek (left) and Brooke Howarth (right). Picture: Lucy Callander

Taking a break from wine tasting to enjoy some loukoumades and ice cream from Alatonero were (left to right) Michelle Murray, Ringwood, Melanie Miller, Richmond, Romayne Perea, South Yarra and Lisa Flower, South Melbourne. Picture: Lucy Callander

Rose was the order of the day for (left to right) Katherine Wallce-Smith, Melbourne, Sam Speck, Melbourne, Arielle Vocale, Melbourne, and Will Heffernan, Melbourne. Picture: Lucy Callander

Melbourne girls Louise Burke (left) and Samatha O'Shaughnessy (right) showed their Sydney friend Evangeline Browne (middle) the best Mornington Peninsula drops. Picture: Lucy Callander

Gippsland couple Alysha Maher and Kailen Constantine. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mia Lloyd, seen here having a laugh with friend Brylie Dauparas, timed her visit from Ireland to coincide with the Winter Wine Fest. Picture: Lucy Callander

Chris Holloway and Sara Ray enjoying a glass of red at the Winter Wine Fest. Picture: Lucy Callander

A glass or three of wine and winter woollies helped keep these friends warm (left to right) Natalie Ellisdon, Elwood, Amanda Holenstein, Hampton, Sarah Lanzafame, Hampton. Picture: Lucy Callander

Dad and daughter duo Glenn and Sinead Gallaher travelled from Brisbane for the Winter Wine Fest. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mount Martha woman Jennifer Hare was in line for some Lindenderry wine from Lisa McDonald. Picture: Lucy Callander

Heading to the food stands at the Winter Wine Fest were Tim Zoch, Hastings, Fiona Crowley, Gisborne and Deb Carr, Gippsland. Picture: Lucy Callander

Children were welcome at the Winter Wine Fest, (left to right) Rachel and Danielle Cowan, Ferntree Gully with Elwood couple Jack and Milly Ormston and baby Pip, 5 months. Elwood. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mornington mum Louise Inglese celebrating her daughter’s engagement with Sara Gucciardo, Hawthorn, and Irish sisters Susie and Deidre McGuinness. Picture: Lucy Callander

Leanne Volk, Wonga Park, Jo Mitchell, Rowville, and Michelle Nickels, Listerfield were all smiles for the event. Picture: Lucy Callander

The Winter Wine Fest was the perfect spot for a bucks party for mates Joseph Mendel, Anthony Cocco, Edward Healey, Alex Peters, Sandy Bye, Reagan Tan, Edmund Jones and Ant Payne. Picture; Lucy Callander

Mornington women Katie and Ally Macinnis were among those queuing for a cheese plate from Boatshed Cheese. Picture: Lucy Callander

Bridget Moffat, Middle Park with friend Isabella Thwaites, Armadale, Picture: Lucy Callander

Mornington locals Rene Pedersen and Tammie Johnstone. Picture: Lucy Callander

Leia Cheasley, Newport, Will Rillo, Newport, Andrew Garcia, Northcote. Picture: Lucy Callander

The festival was the perfect way to celebrate a boys weekend for Matt Smithson, Abbotsford, Sam Rogers, Adelaide, Joseph Ramsey, Armadale, Joel Mein, Mount Martha, John Roger, Prahran, Tom Phillips, Prahran. Picture: Lucy Callander

Mount Martha mates Clare Christie, Ingrid Harris and Melissa Uhlman were set for a big day of tasting at the Winter Wine Fest. Picture: Lucy Callander

Taking time out from tasting to listen to some live music were Saeed Mafi, Mooroolbark, Yasmin Shalviri, Mooroolbark, Tara Shalviri, North Melbourne. Picture: Lucy Callander