Six Stellar Small Cellar Doors To Try - Visit Mornington Peninsula
Mostly clear 13.1°C

Six Stellar Small Cellar Doors To Try

With more than 50 Mornington Peninsula wineries featuring cellar doors, this is one of the hottest spots in Australia to sip a little, learn a lot and discover some gems for your own cellar. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the stellar wines, but superb Shiraz, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are stealing an increasing amount of the limelight.

If you are looking for something a little different – and occasionally off the beaten track - here are six cellar doors that you may not yet have discovered, and that should be on your list.

Starting around Mornington and Tuerong…

Stumpy Gully

Just around the corner only 1km away lies Stumpy Gully Vineyard. This family-owned and operated winery makes their wine using 100% estate grown fruit. Frank and Wendy Zantvoort relocated from Holland to the Mornington Peninsula in 1989 planning to grow citrus trees before deciding on grapes. Wendy quickly went about gaining all the education needed in viticulture and Stumpy Gully was born. Today the vineyard is onto its second generation of Zantvoort family producing from four distinct blocks, 11 varieties of wine including the classic Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and more exotic varieties such as Viognier.

Yabby Lake

Home of the first Pinot Noir ever to win the Jimmy Watson trophy, Yabby Lake is renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of exceptional quality and character. The cellar door offers an exceptional range of wines for tasting - from the rare Single Block Releases, to the popular Red Claw label and everything in between.

Further south to Balnarring and Merricks…

Elan Vineyard

A stop by to Elan Vineyard in Banarring, where most of the production occurs lovingly by hand and will leave you with a sincere appreciation of what goes into producing a great drop. Here you can sip their Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Gamay in a rotunda overlooking the vineyard and children can enjoy themselves in the playground. The BBQ and picnic facilities make for a great way to bring along your own treats to accompany the wine. Be sure to plan your visit, as Elan Vineyard only opens the first weekend of each month or by appointment.

Stonier

From its humble beginnings as a hobby farm, Stonier’s story begins with Brian Stonier who was one of the first vignerons in the Mornington Peninsula. He planted Chardonnay at Merricks in 1978, while his kids were surfing at the local beach. Stonier's ongoing dedication to crafting premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine has never been stronger. The architect-designed celalr door is a revelation, as are the wines that distincly reflect the vineyards from which they come, and express true varietal characteristics and Mornington Peninsula terroir. 

Up the hill to Main Ridge and down the hill to Dromana…

Main Ridge Estate

In a picturesque valley 230m above sea level perched between Arthurs Seat and Red Hill you will find Main Ridge Estate. This vineyard is rich in history - the vines date back 40 years and the estate was recently rated 5 Star in the 2018 James Halliday Wine Companion. At the cellar door there is a vast wine offering, and you can enjoy ‘create your own’ grazing platters and cheese boards that are perfect for a light lunch. The Sexton family live and work on site so you will see them around the property as you unwind on the sundeck overlooking the vineyard and bush surrounds.

Trofeo Estate

This story is all about wines fermented and aged in handsome terracotta amphora imported from Tuscany. In the 1930's this Estate in Dromana was originally a passionfruit plantation, but today is one of the Peninsula's oldest vineyards - yet one of the youngest wineries. From the moment you enter the property you are surrounded by vineyards and rural views. The beautiful array of wines are all organic & vegan friendly. At the core of the estate is a philosophy that embraces bio-dynamics and sustainability which is expressed through the wines as well as the fresh, local, paddock to plate produce from the restaurant.

 

Theme picker

STAY IN THE KNOW

Subscribe to Newsletter

Sign up for your free digital copy of FOUND and get year round inspiration from Mornington Peninsula direct to your inbox.

OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
EastLink Logo
MPNG Logo
RBK Advisory Logo
RBK Legal Logo
Samsonite Logo
Searoad Ferries Logo
VISIT MORNINGTON PENINSULA acknowledge's the Bunurong / BoonWurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters. We pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present and emerging.