There’s a buzz in the air in the Mornington Peninsula, and it comes in the form of a contemporary cutting edge designer hotel, formal restaurant, smart bar, casual dining experience and cellar door.  The name is Jackalope – and it’s the new home of Willow Creek Vineyard Wines. So what is a Jackalope?

A Jackalope is a mythical North American folklore character – a rabbit with antlers – and this mythical symbol has been brought to life with a breathtaking sculpture by Emily Floyd, a Melbourne artist who is most famous for The Bird and the Worm on Eastlink.  This seven-metre magnificent Jackalope sculpture proudly sits in the forecourt of the property. Extraordinary, contemporary and bold, the Jackalope property is indeed a unique environment from a design point of view. There is so much more to cover, but the focus of this postcard is Rare Hare – a casual environment, with a food offering that is generous, honest and great value.  The share style menu and share style seating with communal tables complement the beautiful vineyard view.  The way the space is structured and the way the food is delivered creates a casual and relaxed atmosphere, but make no mistake, the food is of tremendous quality and is downright delicious.  Rare Hare staples range in price from $10 to around $30, depending on the size and substantial nature of the meal.  The local market is what Rare Hare is appealing to – pop in for a light meal, a serious feast, a coffee or a fine wine or beer at any time of day from 11am to 5pm.  The wine bar area at Rare Hare (which looks into their amazing cellar hall) allows for casual wine tasting of Willow Creek wines in a social setting, with 75ml and 150ml tastings on offer – all matched to salumi and bite-sized taste sensations.