Victoria’s best regional winery restaurants, views, accommodation and tours
Country wineries aren’t what they used to be — they’re so much better. From foodie destinations to tours with a twist, here are the best ways to experience Victoria’s new breed of fine wining.
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Victoria’s vineyards have long enticed wine lovers to drive into the country and visit cellar doors for a taste of terroir.
But wineries are evolving into hyper-regional food destinations where chefs cultivate vineyard vegie patches and orchards, and nearby farmers make daily deliveries to the kitchen.
Visitors taste the whole region — not just the wine.
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“When a restaurant has this unique sense of place, it’s worth leaving town for a meal,” award-winning restaurateur Christian McCabe says.
“Victoria’s wine-growing regions are exciting for both wine and food. There’s so much to explore,” says McCabe, co-owner of Embla and Lesa in Melbourne.
We take a tour to find some of the best winery experiences Victoria has to offer.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Of the 21 wine regions in Victoria, the most vineyard dining action is taking place on the Mornington Peninsula, with several world class eat/drink/stay/play destinations a little more than an hour’s drive south of Melbourne.
At the luxury end, Pt. Leo Estate’s $50 million wine/food/art drawcard is home to Laura (3649 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Merricks), a restaurant taking all its cues from the peninsula.
Culinary director Phil Wood (ex-Rockpool and Eleven Bridge) bases his set-menu dishes on local produce, overlaid with classic cooking technique.
The simplicity of dishes such as wood-fired crumpet with chicken and truffle has food critics swooning. And it’s served with one of the best views in Australia.
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Willow Creek Winery also pushes the culinary envelope, courtesy of $40 million art hotel Jackalope (166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North).
Expect surprises at every turn in the fine dining restaurant (Doot Doot Doot), cocktail bar (Flaggerdoot) and casual diner (Rare Hare).
But this heady combination of art, wine and food is not new to the peninsula.
It all began 15 years ago at Montalto (33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South), home to a picture-perfect kitchen garden and hectares of picnic nooks.
GIPPSLAND
Gippsland also has a venue paying homage to the richness and quality of produce on its doorstep.
Chef Trevor Perkins has created a true gem in Hogget Kitchen (6 Farrington Close, Warragul) at the former Wild Dog Winery.
His menu reads like a love letter to Gippsland, winning fans among some of Melbourne’s food and wine leaders.
Acclaimed Melbourne sommelier Banjo Harris Plane describes Hogget’s menu as “serious, honest food” showcasing the region’s best produce.
YARRA VALLEY
For McCabe, Victoria’s best vineyard dining experience is found at Oakridge (864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream) in the Yarra Valley, where Matt Stone and Jo Barrett only cook local ingredients, much of it grown in their garden at the winery.
KING VALLEY
Chef Matt Wilkinson also loves visiting Oakridge, describing Stone and Barrett’s food as “some of the best in Australia”.
For Wilkinson, the best winery dining has an overwhelming feeling of authenticity.
“When I go to a winery, I’m looking for food that suits the wine and the place,” says Wilkinson, owner of popular Pope Joan.
“Wineries who do food really well are using local produce, but they’re also showing their personalities and a bit of their own histories.”
Wilkinson’s favourite Victorian winery is Chrismont (251 Upper King River Rd, Cheshunt), where Jo and Arnie Pizzini deliver the Italian hospitality that has made the King Valley famous.
“There’s a real sense of joyfulness at Chrismont, and the portions are huge,” Wilkinson says. “They’re so generous with everything … their time, their wine tastings.
“And those authentic Italian dishes are so delicious, with a view to die for. If they’re cooking goat, order it. And say hello to Jo and Arnie. They are legends.”
Kirk’s Wine Bar owner and one of Melbourne’s most respected chefs Ian Curley says “you can’t beat the King Valley region” for a true cellar door experience.
“You can speak with the family who makes the wine while experiencing some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia,” Curley says.
“Chrismont and Pizzini (175 King Valley Rd, Whitfield) are fantastic. Because they’re Italian, their food is big and robust and full of flavour.
“It’s also made with love by some of the nicest people you will ever meet.”
WINERY TOURS WITH A DIFFERENCE
If it is wine trails, tours and tastings with a twist you seek, here are a few suggestions to get you started:
BIKE TOURS
Sip and cycle your way around the Mornington Peninsula at a relaxed pace while taking in the natural sights and sounds of the countryside with Vine Tours.
Setting off from Arthurs Seat, stop off for wine, cider, cheese and strawberry tastings en route.
ROAD TRIPS
Let Redgum Roadtrips take care of the driving as you are chauffeured around four of the Bellarine Peninsula’s best wineries, enjoying lunch overlooking the picture-perfect Swan Bay.
Finish your day being ferried back across Port Phillip Bay from Geelong and up the Yarra River to Docklands.
TRAIN + WINE + DINE
Board the historic railmotor train at Daylesford market every Sunday for a 5km trip to Passing Clouds winery in the Macedon Ranges.
A newly expanded cellar door experience awaits, with the Train + Wine + Dine Package including a glass of sparkling on arrival and a four-course set lunch with matching wines.
HORSEBACK WINERY TOURS
Saddle up for a truly unique way of combining wine tasting with breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley.
The highly experienced Clancy, of Chum Creek Horseriding, will be your trail-riding guide with wine-tasting, Toolangi Tavern or De Bortoli Winery expeditions on offer.
BYO + LUNCH
Giving new meaning to BYO, this immersive tour by Oceania Tours allows you to indulge in a two-course Yarra Valley lunch and sparkling wine degustation at Tokar Winery.
But first, an opportunity to “blend your own” in a winemaking masterclass.
POP-UP WINERY STAYS
For those who like to take the road less travelled, a new style of luxury accommodation is popping up in three of Victoria’s premier wine regions.
Wine Down Pop Up will see two exclusive eco-luxury converted shipping containers move across South Gippsland, King Valley and Macedon wine regions until July 7.
Stunning natural beauty provides the backdrop for this one-off experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in an unforgettable short break while indulging in world-class wine and local produce.
The premium suites are available for four weeks at each location, with guests enjoying a bespoke winery experience on-site plus complimentary bottle of wine, with the option of adding other experiences for a personalised short break.
These are the wineries taking part:
WARATAH HILLS VINEYARD, SOUTH GIPPSLAND
Located on the doorstep of Wilsons Promontory and known for its cool climate wines (in particular pinot noir), owners Judy and Neil Travers have a simple philosophy: Do everything possible to produce wine of the highest quality.
Their artisan approach includes small batch hand-picking, which they are happy to espouse on during a visit to their cellar door.
While there, enjoy cheese boards, tapas and weekend seasonal specials over a glass of wine. There is also a retail shop featuring locally produced olive oil and jams.
Waratah Hills Vineyard, 20 Cottmans Rd, Fish Creek, South Gippsland, until April 28
DAL ZOTTO WINES, WHITFIELD
The family-owned vineyard’s Italian heritage is proudly on display from its cellar door to the trattoria featuring a menu of Mediterranean-inspired seasonal and regional produce, including ingredients sourced from the property’s bountiful garden.
Dal Zotto Wines, 4861 Wangaratta-Whitfield Rd, Whitfield, May 6-June 2
MOUNT TOWRONG VINEYARD, MT MACEDON
Situated only 65km from Melbourne, the family-owned winery features a new cellar door and breathtaking views. The cool climate winery uses sustainable farming techniques and is one of Australia’s only producers of vivace, a blend of nebbiolo and chardonnay. It is also home to the Mountain Distilling Company, which uses new growth pine needles and native mountain pepperberry in its gin range.
Mount Towrong Vineyard, 4 Taylors Rd, Mt Macedon, June 7-July 7
WINE-CENTRIC EVENTS
Head out of town for some of the best food and drink, and music, regional Victoria has to offer.
TINAMBA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
East Gippsland’s best wineries join forces with local food producers in one of the region’s most anticipated annual events.
The festival celebrates wine, food and local music, with tastings from Blue Gables, Glenmaggie Wines, Avon Ridge, Tambo Estate, Lightfoot & Sons, Nicholson River and Mount Moornapa.
Tinamba-Seaton Rd, Tinamba, April 28
GRAMPIANS GRAPE ESCAPE
Breathtaking scenery and world-class wineries, artisan beer and cider brewers, distilleries and producers come together in a celebration of all that is good to eat and drink.
Grab a spot on the lawn and tune into live music, bid in the Grampians Winemakers’ barrique auction, watch chefs Colin Fassnidge and Sarah Glover in action, join a masterclass, or let the kids loose in the Little Foodies Marquee. grampiansgrapeescape.com.au
Grampians Grape Escape, cnr Grampians & Mt Victory rds, Halls Gap, May 4-5
RUTHERGLEN WINERY WALKABOUT
Victoria’s original wine festival attracts the young, old and in between. Pick up a Walkabout glass, slap on a wristband and get ready to sample the best the region has to offer.
For those who do not want to drive, the TAC Shuttle bus — a hop on/hop off service, which does the rounds of participating wineries — will pick up passengers from regional areas including Lavington and Wangaratta.
Rutherglen Winery Walkabout, 13-35 Drummond St, Rutherglen, June 8-9
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