Food & Drink

One of the pleasures of food and drink is that they are often a shared experience – think about the times you’ve gotten together with friends and exchanged interesting ideas and opinions. In addition to having enjoyed a good meal, you left the table better informed with most senses more than likely fulfilled. Our Food and Drink section is all about the unique, best practice experiences on the Mornington Peninsula. In this section we like to inspire and inform readers with a mix of stories from around the Pen.

Montalto

With fruit coming from six unique vineyards located across the Peninsula, Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove creates interesting and complex wines reflecting the fantastic diversity of the vineyards, according to winemaker Simon Black. There’s more than the multiple award winning wines and the restaurants 11 chef’s hats since 2002 that make a visit to Montalto such a rewarding place to visit.

Trofeo Estate

Trofeo Estate encompasses a vineyard, cellar door, winery, & a thriving cafe. At the core of the estate is a philosophy that embraces the practice of biodynamics, sustainability & old world winemaking techniques & this is expressed through fresh, home grown produce from the kitchen and café, delicious take home condiments and stunning array of wines from the cellar door.

Volpino

With a strong emphasis on fresh and local produce, Volpino offers an array of Mediterranean inspired seasonal dishes to compliment the classic wood fired pizzas that are a mainstay of this vibrant, beachside venue. The deck is super sized and a perfect place to soak up the winters sun, unwind and dine alfresco with friends, family or as a couple. Add a unique, hand selected wine list and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable day or night out. To borrow a famous Australian phrase, it’s all about the vibe and it’s this attitude that inspires us to follow the boys from Volpino.

Stillwater at Crittenden

Stillwater at Crittenden is the restaurant and cellar door arm of the Peninsula dynasty that is Crittenden Estate. It must have basically named itself. All the feelings and images provoked by the word ‘stillwater’ aptly apply – it’s tranquil, it’s relaxing, everything’s fresh. Whether you visit for a tasting, a meal or as part of a weekend stay at the adjoining villas, the focus is on providing a unique experience with the opportunity to relax and indulge.

Red Hill Brewery

Many beer-lovers have, under the romantic influence of a well-crafted boutique beer, indulged in thoughts of trying their hand at brewing.  For Karen and Dave Golding, the influence of countryside pubs and microbreweries they visited while travelling across Germany, Belgium and England in the early 1990s was so strong that they bought a fertile plot of land in Red Hill to grow hops and set up a full-scale brew house.

Merricks General Store

Back in the days before impersonal supermarkets and oversized shopping centres, the humble general store was a community hub, a place that served an important social, as well as supply, service. In 1924, Merricks General Wine Store opened to serve a variety of needs of the local community. Built in a prime location on Hastings-Flinders Road, between Balnarring and Shoreham, it was a central point where locals could stock up on household items as well post mail, make phone calls at the phone booth, do banking and fill the petrol tank – a one-stop shop with friendly, familiar faces.

Green Olive at Red Hill

The olive trees on Sue and Greg O’Donoghue’s farm take three years to bear fruit, but when they do, one tree can provide up to 35 kilograms of olives. Similarly, patience and passion are key ingredients to bringing a big idea to life.