An insider's choice - Peninsula - TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19)

Tours depart every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from both Melbourne CBD and the Mornington Peninsula.

Ideal for anyone wanting an insider’s view on some of the best cellar doors the Peninsula has to offer. Not only do the wineries we visit produce quality wines but they also give their guests a great experience, something that is too often overlooked.

Each of the wineries we have selected are designed to complement each other, iconic and authentic, boutique but fresh and new, picturesque and charming, small and family run, rustic and relaxed, friendly and fun, you get it all on this tour. We like to steer clear of some of the bigger guys because you tend to become a number rather than a guest.

It is a perfect place to start if your touring the region for the first time, or perhaps you are looking to visit a few places that you just might not have heard about. 

This tour offers: 

- a relaxed and fun day out

- a good mix of both red & white wine to try

- amazing cider 

- boutique smaller producers

- a casual shared lunch in a picturesque setting 

TOUR ITINERARY

The region is renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but there are also other gems to be found. 

On a typical day out you would visit: 

11.00am Quealy Winemakers – wine tasting 

Visit Kathleen Quealy the ‘Queen of Gris’ on your first stop of the morning. Kathleen is one of the most well-known winemakers on the Peninsula and was the first person to plant Pinot Gris/Grigio in Australia. Here you can expect the unexpected as every visit is a unique experience.

Tastings take place in the middle of their working winery. It’s rustic, authentic and a truly laid back experience. 

On display are a large selection of whites, reds (including some of the best Pinot Noir you will taste) and sweet wine, with a tilt to Italian varieties. Their wines are not only incredible but also great value, so don’t expect to walk away empty handed. 

Check out a review of the winery here

12.00pm Merricks Creek Vineyard – wine tasting, lunch & vineyard tour (Sat & Sun)

After a short 10 minute drive you will arrive at your second stop, Merricks Creek where you can expect to settle in for a tasting and lunch. This place is a true gem and possibly the Peninsula’s best kept secret. Here you will sit down to enjoy a casual sharing meal with your newest friends while taking in the beautiful vista.

Before lunch begins you will be taken through a wine tasting at your table and a look around the winery. Expect to see the regions regulars with Estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Choose a glass of your favourite drop to enjoy with your lunch.

Lunch is a selection of share plates including antipasto, charcuterie, cheese and warm dishes. Think braised lamb shoulder, pork and fennel meatballs and roasted vegetable lasagna. You will come away feeling happy and satisfied and ready to take on the afternoon.

*If you have a sweet tooth you can upgrade lunch to include dessert for an additional fee.

Check out a review of the winery here

*Note: Merricks Creek is only open on weekends so tours departing on Friday's will visit Tucks Ridge instead. (See below)

2.00pm Rahona Valley – wine tasting

Enjoy a picturesque 10 minute drive to the next stop, where you will arrive at Rahona Valley which is another true hidden gem of the Peninsula. The vineyard is set in a secluded valley on a steep north-facing slope which is honestly magnificent and unlike any other vineyard in the region. As you descend on the cellar door you will feel like you are amongst the tree tops.

The wines here are unexpectedly brilliant. You will be taken through a comprehensive list which often includes some bubbles. The cellar door has a fabulous outdoor (and indoor pending weather) setting on the newly built deck with an open fire pit during the cooler months and umbrellas for shade for the warmer weather, a perfect place to spend the afternoon.

The place is a little bit magical and so are the wines. 

Check out a review of the winery here

3.15pm Old Apple Shed @ Tallarida Estate – wine & cider tasting

Expect to end the day on a high as you arrive to a warm and friendly welcome from Old Apple Shed. This stop is often a crowd favourite due to its simple charm and down to earth vibe. 

With their epic wine list the tasting can be tailored to you as they have a big range of sparkling, red, white and sweet wines. This precedes the grand finale, a show stopping selection of ciders that will blow your mind they are that good. Try apple, pear, strawberry, passionfruit and ginger beer. 

They have a great outdoor area so tastings can be taken outside if the weather's nice. If not you can keep warm inside the winery shed amongst the barrels.

*Upgrade your tasting to include a cheese board for an additional fee.

Check out a review of the winery here

*Tucks Ridge – wine tasting & lunch (Fri)

Recently taken over by the team from Montalto the winery and restaurant have taken on a new lease of life. Here you will sit down to enjoy a casual sharing meal with your newest friends while taking in one of the Peninsula most photographed views. 

Before lunch begins you will be taken through a wine tasting at the cellar door. Expect to see the regions regulars with Estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and Rosè among others. Choose a glass of your favourite drop to enjoy with your lunch.

Lunch is a selection of tapas style share plates followed by a selections of charcoal meats including sides Think charcoal roast chicken, marinated pork, lamb or salmon, grain salad and potatoes. Absolutely delicious. You will come away feeling happy and already talking about when you will return. 

*If you have a sweet tooth you can upgrade lunch to include dessert for an additional fee.

Check out a review of the winery here

*Venues subject to availability 

Every now and then availability at some of the wineries outlined above is limited so we have a number of great alternatives that we often include on some of our private tours. A couple of our favourites below but feel free to check out our website for a list of others here. We will try and let you know when the itineraries are shuffled wherever possible.

Kerrie Greens Winery - wine tasting

Kerri Greens would have to be considered the newest and coolest kid on the block. As you wind your way around this uniquely shaped cellar door you instantly know you are in for something a little bit special and a little bit left of centre.

These guys are experimenting with some unfamiliar varieties such as Gewurztraminer and Pinot Meunier and bringing something fresh and vibrant to the more traditional styles of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose. 

You will certainly feel the passion for winemaking with these next generation winemakers and you will leave wanting to tell your friends all about them. 

Check out a review of the winery here

Bass & Flinders Distillery - gin, vodka & limoncello tasting

We all know that gin is totally the 'in thing' at the moment and taking the country by storm with so many producers bursting into the market. Bass & Flinders Distillery have been in the game a little while now been one of the first boutique producers in Victoria. 

What's different about these gins is that they are 'grape based' and triple distilled rather than made with traditional grain. In addition to gin they have also added vodka, grappa and limoncello to their range and more recently Ochre an aged brandy. There is certainly something for everyone at this stop. 


A visit to the distillery is a unique experience, as it provides a rare insight into the engine room of Bass & Flinders. The refurbished cellar door combines modern architectural style with a notable barrel room. 

Check out a review of the distillery here

INCLUSIONS

All tours include a great host, fully air-conditioned and comfortable transport, bottled water, all tasting fees, lunch at a winery which includes a glass of wine.

PICK UPS & DROP OFFS

Tours leaving from Melbourne start in the CBD with further pick-ups available on-route to the peninsula by request. 

Tours leaving from the Peninsula start in Portsea with further pick-ups available from 5 convenient locations on-route. 

Additional pick-ups may also be arranged by request from your accommodation on both Melbourne CBD or Peninsula pick-up tours.

SMALL GROUPS & BUSES

The buses used for these tours carry up to 11 passengers however we limit any one group booking to a maximum of 5 people. Larger groups of 6 or more please check out our Private tour options here. 

We are confident that a small group environment gives our guests an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed day out, something that is often lost on bigger bus tours.

REMEMBER YOUR DAY

Leave with a souvenir of your day out with Wine Compass and pick-up your very own Drop Stop - every wine lovers best friend. Roll, insert, pour and rinse over and over and over again. A great way to remember the tour.