Rare Hare

There’s a buzz in the air on 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. The vision of Louis Li's, a 29 year old Chinese national who has been living in Melbourne for ten years, Willow Creek Vineyard is now the site for the world’s first Jackalope Hotel.  Moving here as an 18 year old to study film making, Louis Li is well versed in luxury property development with his parents being involved in a number of luxury hotels and residential properties in Kunming in south western China.  So in a sense his first solo project is following in the tradition of his family business.   Being a film maker Lewis Lee is a great storyteller, and his first foray into hospitality shows his appetite for art and design and food culture, which shines through every element in this property.  His debut Jackalope Hotel in Merricks will be followed by a 40 room hotel in Flinders Lane which is scheduled to open in 2019.

Terracotta Wine at Trofeo Estate

Trofeo Estate is situated on the iconic Harrisons Road precinct of Dromana - in the 1930’s it was a passionfruit plantation - it is one of the Peninsula’s oldest vineyards but newest wineries. From the moment you enter the property, with it’s oak lined driveway, you’re surrounded by vines & beautiful rural views. Its peaceful location is a world away from the hustle & bustle of Dromana’s main strip.

Finesse Catering Group

Brad and Roong Holtz of Finesse Catering Group are a formidable team. Passionate, creative and classically trained, their worlds collided when Brad attended one of Roong’s cooking classes in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where Roong taught tourists and professional chefs the art of traditional Thai cooking. At the time Brad was working as a chef on small private yachts in Alaska and Mexico but they found a way to be together, moving to the Mornington Peninsula in 2007.

Adhoc

Adhoc offers a quality restaurant experience in a relaxed dining environment. The family friendly atmosphere is evident upon arrival. Carefully designed to allow privacy for intimate dinners and with communal tables for larger gatherings, couples sit alongside parents with children in a harmonious and relaxed space. It’s light, bright and welcoming, yet stylish and sophisticated, so you can enjoy a casual coffee and cake, or celebrate a special occasion. The staff are excellent, offering table service with an efficient but warm attention to detail.

Rare Hare Preview Dinners

The first of two preview dinners commences in collaboration with Mornington Peninsula Brewery and Commonfolk Coffee. Highlights include five rounds of brews and chews, with dishes like snapper crudo, wood roasted prawns, and lamb shoulder, all served with select MP hops.

Willow Creek Preview Dinner

A hop from the Peninsula's anticipated luxury hotel, Jackalope, Willow Creek's spiritual home will reopen on 01 March, completely reimagined as Rare Hare Wine & Food Store. With indoor and outdoor tables for 90 tails, Rare Hare is a restaurant, wine bar and produce store - destination dining, with a devil-may-care air.

Luxurious Scandinavian Style

It’s the minimalist yet luxurious Scandinavian style that makes Nord House feel so right. Every single detail is carefully thought through - the textures, the light, the scents – all creating a harmony that inspires the mind and relaxes the soul. Once you arrive at the property which is just off the main strip of Red Hill, you can easily leave the car alone and walk to nearby restaurants and cafes (The Red Hill Cellar & Pantry, The Long table, The Epicurean and Red Hill House are all a comfortable walk away).

5 Stars from James Halliday

What we love about Lindenderry this time of year is its symmetrical gravel walkways with carefully planted short hedges that lead to the many, park-like open lawn spaces that form what we call ‘natural outdoor rooms’. It’s these open spaces that offer respite from the heat, from the hub-bub of city life and provide the opportunity to frolic, play games, or enjoy a picnic. When you finish playing you can cool down around the beautiful pool. Lindenderry has it all; above and beyond everything else it offers a luxurious space, where you can just be, without a worry in the world to care about cause it’s being done for you in a traditional way with service at it’s core. Fuelling this direction is a team with an incredibly impressive food & beverage background and their winery which, recently received another 5 stars from James Halliday.