Mornington Peninsula tempts winter travellers with $3000 wine cellar

Victoriaʼs Mornington Peninsula produces some of Australia ʼs most coveted Pinot Noir, and travellers who visit during winter could head home with a $3000 wine cellar containing around 10 dozen of the Peninsula ʼs finest wines.

Itʼs the tantalising first prize in the Peninsula ʼs ʽWinter Wine Passportʼ event which runs from June 12 to August 31. Twenty leading wineries, boutique accommodation and wine tour operators are taking part, and will stamp visitorsʼ passports each time a purchase is made.

Once a visitor has five stamps theyʼre eligible for the $3000 wine cellar prize. The second prize is a Mornington Peninsula ʽstay and dineʼ weekend package at Maxʼs Retreat at Red Hill, with a bottle of Red Hill Estate Sparkling Wine and a voucher to dine at a nearby restaurant, valued at $500. Third prize is a wine tour package including accommodation for two at luxurious Lindenderry at Red Hill, and a one day winery tour for up to four people, also valued at $500.

The stalwart visitor who produces the most heavily stamped passport will win a bottle of wine from each participating cellar, along with two Luigi Bormioli Bourgogne glasses that lift the bouquet and flavours of Pinot Noir to an entirely new level. Complimentary Luigi Bormioli Bourgogne glasses valued at $20 each will also be given to visitors who buy at least six bottles of wine from a single vineyard.

Accommodation and winery events 

The Peninsula has a vast choice of accommodation, including the boutique hotel Lindenderry at Red Hill and Maxʼs Retreat at Red Hill Estate, which both present a complimentary bottle of premium sparkling wine to passport holders who stay overnight. Lindenderry winter rates are from $290 per room, including breakfast; Maxʼs Retreat rates are $300 per room per night, including bountiful regional breakfast provisions.

Individual events at wineries include the annual Olive Festival on July 14 and 15 at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, and the traditional Burning of the Canes dinner to celebrate the end of the winemaking year at Maxʼs at Red Hill Estate on August 11 and 18.

Sunday lunch has become an institution at Box Stallion winery, where lunches with entertainment are held in the restaurant and cellar door that was once a 14-stall stallion barn. The Hornets, who are all former members of Daddy Cool, play classic Aussie blues on June 24, and the fiery Fiebre Flamenca Dance company and Santos Spanish band entertain on July 1.

For information on the Winter Wine Passport, contact the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre, 1800 804 009 or (03) 5987 3078, or visit  www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org. Passports are available from the Visitor Centre, Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association and all participating operators. Every visitor at the Winter Wine Fest at Red Hill Reserve on June 9 will also receive a passport.

Report by The Mole