mornington peninsula wine tour

Relaxed, personalised tours to the Mornington Peninsula that includes Tanglewood Estate, Willow Creek, Balnarring Vineyard and Darling Park Wineries. We've selected certain wineries for what we believe they bring to the day's experience, however if you have any particular wineries you'd like to visit, please advise us.

Depart at 9.30am and travel to the south-east. The first winery to be visited would be Tanglewood Estate at Merricks North, a small family owned and operated winery where a warm welcome is always extended. From the first plantings in 1984 the vineyard covers 7 acres. The principal varieties grown are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. Biscuits and cheese would complement the tastings.

A short drive away is the Willow Creek Vineyard at Merricks North. Now successfully established there are consistently good wines being produced here from estate grown grapes. These include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. After the tasting, adjourn to the adjacent Salix Restaurant where a main course lunch would be served in the light filled restaurant that overlooks the vineyard. Tea and coffee would also be included.

After lunch, it's a short ride through to the Balnarring Vineyard at Balnarring. It's quirky and unlike any other winery you'll visit. The owner, Kathleen Quealy was involved in the early plantings of pinot gris on the peninsula and with her husband established T'Gallant. This is a much smaller operation but it's no less interesting with her left of centre approach to winemaking.

The day concludes with a visit to the Darling Park Winery at Red Hill. Situated in a pretty little valley they fight well above their weight in terms of the wines they produce. As well as the familiar chardonnay and pinot noir, there's some unusual styles and varieties - sparkling pinot noir, sparkling rose, viognier, basket pressed shiraz and a pinot gris and viognier blend that ensures most tastes are catered for.

On days they are open, visits can also be included to Mornington Peninsula Chocolates as well as Red Hill Cheese.

Tours are available on a daily basis with a minimum of 2 people. Private tours can be arranged, price on application.

Package- $160 per person (applies from 1/4/2010 to 31/3/2011)

Includes - deluxe transport, tastings at nominated wineries, cheese and biscuits at Tanglewood Estate Winery, main course lunch with glass of wine and coffee at Salix Restaurant, bottled water, guide and gst.

Group Tours - for groups of all sizes, a similar day can be arranged. As a guide, the cost would be $100 per person based on a group of 40 (applies from 1/4/2010 to 31/3/2011). Cost for smaller groups available on application.