Mornington Peninsula pulls out all the corks for March of food and wine

Kick off with the International Cool Climate Wine Show, take in tastings of 30 years of outstanding Pinot Noir, romp through some irresistible Pinot Noir lunches and dinners, rope in almost every food producer on the Mornington Peninsula and finally draw breath with tastings of first cousins Pinots Noir, Gris, Grigio and Meuniere at Pinot Week.

Mornington Peninsula Gourmet and the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association have literally pulled out all the corks for this year’s fortnight of more than 20 food and wine events, running from March 10 to 25.

Mornington Peninsula Tourism has released the following program:

International Cool Climate Wine Show, Red Hill Showgrounds, Wednesday March 7 & Friday March 9. After 700 entries from the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Tasmania and New Zealand have been judged on Wednesday March 7, there’s a public tasting of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, 6:30pm to 8pm, $10. On Friday March 9, there’s a dinner matched to cool climate wines, 7pm, $99 including four courses and all wine. 03 5983 2400

‘Pinot Noir Clones Uncovered’, Eldridge Estate, Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11, March 17 & 18. Winemaker David Lloyd is known as the ‘Clone Ranger’, and was one of only four international guest speakers invited to talk about Pinot clones at last year’s International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon, USA. David will be offering barrel tastings of five pure Pinot Noir clones at his cellar door, weekends from 11am to 5pm, $20 per person. 03 5989 2644

‘Gourmet Group Getaway at Max’s Retreat’, Red Hill South, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18. Max’s Retreat at Red Hill South is a small, stylish and secluded country house that was once the 110 year-old Red Hill Girl Guide Hall. A 1-night stay features accommodation for four couples in four double bedrooms with ensuites, the Red Hill Shuttle to and from Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill Estate for a 3-course lunch matched with Red Hill Estate Pinots, including some rare vintages, at $350.00 per couple.   (03) 5989 3007.

‘Peninsula Producers at Montalto’, Saturday March 10.  If it’s grown, bred, baked or crafted on the Mornington Peninsula, it’s likely to be on show and on sale at this 100 percent Peninsula Producers day, 10am to 2pm. Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove’s Head Chef, Barry Davis, will also create a Peninsula Producers’ lunch, including just-picked produce from the Montalto kitchen gardens (bookings essential.)  (03) 5989 8412

‘Peninsula Piers and Pinots’, Sunday March 11. Taste cool climate maritime Pinots right beside the sea, when more than 20 Mornington Peninsula vignerons showcase wines matched with dishes from local restaurants, backed by live music. Flinders foreshore, noon – 3pm. 03 5989 2377.

‘The Taste Of Summer’, Heronswood and Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Tuesday March 13 – Thursday March 15. A guided tour around Heronswood’s historic gardens and gourmet picnic basket lunch, followed by a heavenly dessert of strawberries, double thick cream and velvety smooth farm-made ice cream at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm. $50.00 per person, bookings essential at least one day in advance. 03 5984 7318.

‘Stay and Play’, Monday March 12 – Wednesday March 14. Luxurious Lindenderry of Red Hill combines gourmet and golf: Devonshire tea on arrival, exquisite 2-course Harvest to Table dinner, overnight accommodation in a vineyard room, full Lindenderry buffet breakfast. A round of golf at one of the Peninsula’s famous golf courses is followed by a sumptuous lunch at award-winning Salix Restaurant. $470 for two people. (03)  5989 2933.

‘Long Lunch’, Willow Creek Vineyard, Friday March 16. This event books out every year, so hit the phone when bookings open on February 7. Around 250 people will take their seats at tables in the Willow Creek gardens, alongside the historic homestead. The theme is ‘Country Charm’, so who better to make the petits fours than the local Country Women’s Association? Award-winning Salix at Willow Creek, Barmah Park, Montalto and Max’s at Red Hill Estate will create the canapés, entrée, main course and dessert. Beer, cider, bubbly and table wines will be chosen from leading Peninsula winemakers and breweries. Noon, $90 per person, including beverages. (03) 5989 7640.

‘Mornington Peninsula Pinot Week’, Friday March 16 – Sunday March 2.  Elegant Pinot Noir, earthy Pinot Meuniere, voluptuous Pinot Gris, racy Pinot Grigio and the Peninsula’s unique terroir will be explored by leading winemakers and commentators. Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association, 03 5989 2377

‘Retrospective Pinot Dinner’, Paringa Estate, Friday March 23. Paringa Estate has been judged James Halliday’s ‘2007 Winery of the Year’, and its winemaker/owner Lindsay McCall has been dubbed a ‘magician’ by Halliday. Paringa Estate also won the Best Brasserie in the 2006 Golden Plate Awards, so this Retrospective Pinot Dinner will be a night of champions. $120 per person, five courses, all matched to about a dozen Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Riesling and Chardonnay produced over the last decade at Paringa Estate. 03 5989 2669.

And there’s more…

‘Harvest to Table Dinner’, Linden Tree Restaurant, Friday March 9 & Friday March 16.  Linden Tree Executive Chef Stefan Kluefer’s ‘Harvest to Table’ menu reflects his passion for the Mornington Peninsula’s produce, and highlights the unique flavours of the region. Four courses, matched to Estate Wines, $65 per person. Bookings essential. (03) 5989 2933

‘Cape in a Basket’, Cape Schanck Lightstation, Saturday March 10 – Sunday March 18.  A succulent gourmet hamper packed with local temptations…cheese, berries, kitchen garden produce, freshly baked hazelnut torte and more. Choose your private picnic spot around the Lightstation, with towering cliffs behind you and the wild ocean in front. $35 per person, including a tour of the historic 1800s lighthouse. 10am to 4pm. Bookings essential. (03) 5988 618.

‘Luxurious Lavender’, Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18. Lavender is one of history’s most powerful and enticing flowers, and this lavender experience invites you to immerse yourself in its scents, tastes and folklore at the Ashcombe Lavender Labyrinth. Your morning or afternoon tea basket includes lavender tea, lavender scones, lavender biscuits, lavender condiments, delicious lavender ice-cream and a lavender booklet with recipes. Lavender basket, $15 per person. Admission to the gardens, $13 per adult, $8 per child. (03) 5989 8387.

‘Mazekeepers Platter’, Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens Café, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18.  Pruning a vast maze is demanding work, and this is the Mazekeepers’ favourite lunchtime platter. Local meats and cheeses with olives, baked capsicum, locally made Cazans chutneys, crusty bread and wine by the glass. $15 for one person, $22 for two. Or pop in for a Rosie Devonshire Tea of freshly baked rose petal scones with homemade local jams, double thick cream and tea or coffee. Available all day.  $9 per person. Admission to the gardens, $13 per adult, $8 per child. (03) 5989 8387

‘Dip, Doze And Dine’, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18. Doze through a delicious one hour massage at Endota Retreat Spa at Lindenderry Country House, then dine on two equally delicious courses and a glass of Red Hill Estate Pinot at Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill Estate. $125 per person. (03) 5977 1522

‘Pinots and Picnics’, Mantons Creek Cellar Door Lawn, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18. Mantons Creek is a quiet vineyard with a big lawn that’s perfect for picnics. Match your picnic fare to any of a dozen wines available for tasting, including Gerwurtz Traminer, Pinot Meuniere and Tempranillo.  Soft drinks, Red Hill Beer and wine available for purchase (no BYO beverages).  (03) 5989 6264.

‘Coffee, tea and chocolates’, Merricks General Store, Saturday March 10 –  Sunday March 18.  Drop in for the sweetest treat at one of the Peninsula’s most famous stores. Merricks and Mornington Peninsula Chocolates are matching coffee and tea with two superb chocolates for $9 per person, including new Chai Tea and Earl Grey Tea chocolates. Open 7 days. 03 5989 8088.

‘Mussel In’ at Five Sons Estate, Saturday March 10 –  Monday March 12.  Dishes created from plump, flavoursome Dromana Bay mussels will feature, along with the estate’s popular mezze menu.  It’s all perfect with a cool glass of wine, with live music in the background. 11am – 5pm. (03) 5987 3137.

‘Degustation Lunch’, Box Stallion Winery, Monday March 12. Graze your way through Head Chef Manni Hutton’s beautifully crafted autumn menu, with small portions of dishes all priced at $18 (desserts $12 each) including a matched Box Stallion wine.  (03) 5989 7444.

‘Berry Master Class’, Salix Restaurant, Wednesday March 14. Discover the fascinating spectrum of aromas and flavours hidden in the depths of Pinot Noir, through sampling freshly crushed grapes and juices from a number of Pinot Noir clones, and tasting other fruit flavours typically associated with Pinot Noir. Presenter/wine educator Jenny Polack was the first Australian to graduate from the prestigious OIV Masters of Science in Wine Management in France. 6pm-8pm, $30 per person.  (03) 5989 7448.

‘Olive and Gourmet Food Celebration’, Green Olive Sorrento, Saturday March 17. A day to entice your senses , with olive oil tastings, olive tree care and pruning advice, olive tree sales, tempting olive recipes, tips on pickling techniques and tastings of Green Olive gourmet produce, 7am – 7pm.  0407 108 550.  

‘Harvest Picnic’, Hickinbotham Winery, Sunday March 18. Bring the kids – there’s grape squashing, petanque, the perennially popular Rain, Hayne and Shine animal farm and live music. Mornington Peninsula gourmet hampers for grown-ups, $50 for two, including a bottle of picnic-perfect Rosé.  Kids have their own healthy hampers, $15 each including entry to the animal farm.  11am – 5pm. A 3-course lunch is also available in the winery restaurant for $50 per person. (03) 5981 0355.

For information on Harvest to Table and Mornington Peninsula Pinot Week, contact the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre, 1800 804 009 or (03) 5987 3078, or visit  www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Report by The Mole