The Australian Bucket List

Victoria

Red Hill High in the hinterland you'll catch extraordinary bay views, a wide-range of boutique accommodation, wineries, award-winning restaurants, orchards, gorgeous gift stores and even a monthly farmers market.

Tucked into the Mornington Peninsula hinterland, Red Hill and Main Ridge comprise a compact micro-region that sustains sumptuous vineyards, restaurants, food stores, artisan producers and orchards. Criss-crossing through Red Hill's gum tree-lined lanes and gently rolling hillsides laced with vines and olive groves leads to encounters with local winemakers and food producers extolling the virtues of farm-to-table dining. Making a meal from the region's bounty is easy, thanks to locally made cheeses, beer, bread and an abundance of freshly picked vegetables and fruit. Pick your own strawberries from Sunny Ridge Strawberry farm and pluck cherries at roadside farms. The monthly Red Hill Market is famous for its tantalising range of high-quality local produce. Cellar doors are clustered together and winemakers work wonders with their patches of terroir. Travel between cellar doors and compare pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay, the regional specialties. A shuttle service or personalised wine tours are easy ways to tour wineries and their cellar door restaurants that showcase the superb local produce alongside the wines. Several festivals held throughout the year exhibit the culinary richness of the region. The June Winter Wine Weekend keeps the cold at bay, and the International Cool Climate Wine Show in May puts the region on the world stage. The rolling hills and valleys are home to a scattering of small galleries and workshops featuring impressive collections and regular exhibitions. Red Hill is approximately 85 kilometres from Melbourne, or one hour and ten minutes by car along the M1 and Eastlink tollway.

Gallery

Things to do

Dine at Max's Restaurant

The Mornington Peninsula's first winery restaurant. Max's is set in beautiful Red Hill with spectacular views of the vineyard, Westernport Bay and Phillip Island. Their seasonal menu celebrates local produce and modern techniques, while the dining room has a relaxed ambience with professional and friendly service. Glass walls on three sides maximise the vineyard and coastal views. Enjoy light platters on the expansive lawns during summer or cosy up by the fireplace in winter. A destination dining experience, Max's is open every day of the year and is the perfect location for a relaxed lunch, romantic meal or group celebration.

Dine, stay and have a private picnic at Polperro Winery

Polperro Winery is nestled among the vines and shaded by ancient Angophora trees on a stunning 25-acre property in the heart of Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. Established in May 2014, Polperro is a boutique winery that offers an on-site bistro, luxury accommodation and intimate cellar door which showcases the Polperro and Even Keel wine. Polperro Bistro creates a synergy between the vineyard and kitchen, incorporating the seasonal harvests from the Polperro garden. Earthed on a collaborative partnership between winemaker and Chef, the menu is centred on seasonal flavours and share-plates providing food which is fresh, textural and tasty, to best complement the wines. The Polperro cellar door is an intimate space featuring wine made by owner/winemaker Sam Coverdale. With over twenty years' experience in winemaking across several wine regions both within Australia and internationally, the wines are sustainably produced with a clear focus on producing elegant and balanced varietals. Currently, Sam produces wine under two separate labels, Polperro and Even Keel. The Polperro and Even Keel wines have received many accolades over the years and can be found in top restaurants and cellars across the country.

Have lunch and stay at Port Phillip Estate

Port Phillip Estate located on the Mornington Peninsula is an architectural landmark and one of the most exciting food and wine destinations in Australia. The landmark building designed by Wood Marsh Architecture, unfurls across the ridge. Inside, beyond the monumental limestone rammed earth exterior walls of the building, the light-filled Dining Room and Cellar Door open to an expansive outdoor timber deck taking advantage of the sweeping views. The Dining Room at Port Phillip Estate is a refined space offering exceptional food and wine. The contemporary cuisine is infused with a strong European sensibility. The menu changes regularly, highlighting the best of the season. The relationship between food and wine is symbiotic, in both pursuits we strive to highlight terroir and seasonality. The Cellar Door with it's bold architecture, elegant tasting bar and spectacular views make it one of the most exciting cellar doors in Australia. The Cellar Door Kitchen offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with panoramic views over the vineyards and the sea beyond. Port Phillip Estate offers unique luxury accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. The six contemporary designed suites enjoy spectacular vineyard and coastal views, private terraces and interiors that exude the utmost luxury.

Pick up some cheese from Red Hill Cheese

Red Hill Cheese makes artisan cheese for serious cheese-lovers. Their cheese cellar in the forest is a relaxing place to enjoy a tasting plate of cow, goat and sheep cheeses. Their cheeses can be enjoyed alongside local beer, wine and cider. Red Hill Cheese is the ideal place to start or finish your tour of the Mornington Peninsula wine region.

Have a wine on the lawn, overlooking the bay, at Red Hill Estate

Red Hill Estate is a boutique Australian, multi-award-winning wine producer situated on a stunning property, a little more than an hour from Melbourne. The winery resides in an internationally recognised cool climate region on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula and was established in 1989. Currently, the estate encompasses 46 acres with 23 acres under vine and boasts one of the best views from any winery in the world. As such, Red Hill Estate is a much loved and much-visited destination; renowned not only for it for its fine wines but also its superb panoramic views of Western Port Bay and beyond. The predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines produce consistently premium wines within the Cellar Door Release, Merricks Grove, Single Vineyard, Regional Release and The Bench at Red Hill Estate labels. To date, these wines have yielded over 300 medals at Australian and International wine shows. Adjoining the cellar door, Max's Restaurant offers an award-winning modern Australian menu, showcasing the best regional produce. Dishes are designed to perfectly complement the fabulous range of Red Hill Estate wines.

Go on a truffle hunt!

Red Hill Truffles was established in 2005. They planted an initial 350 oaks and hazelnuts. They began harvesting truffles in 2010 and continued to plant additional trees until 2017. There are now 2700 truffle producing trees planted on the property. Perigord (Black) Truffle is a winter product. The season runs from the beginning of June until the end of August. Red Hill Truffles supplies truffle to restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula and some select restaurants in Melbourne; sells truffle and truffle products direct to the public through an on-site farm gate; supplies truffle and truffle products to a range of small boutique retail outlets on the Peninsula and in partnership MP Experience offer Truffle Hunts and Tastings throughout the season. The truffle products are made by Max from Red Hill Estate and include Truffle Butter; Truffle and Mushroom Paste; Truffle Aioli; Truffle honey; Truffle Mustard and Truffle Salt.

Grab a paddle of beers at Red Hill Brewery

Located amidst our own hop garden on top of Red Hill, is the Mornington Peninsula’s original craft brewery, Red Hill Brewery. Relax and taste all the beers, enjoy a bite, drink a pint, view the hops, or even stay the night. Enjoy their award-winning, handcrafted beers in the relaxed, rustic bush setting amongst the hop vines. Red Hill Brewery brew all of their beers in the barn, using Red Hill rain, malt, yeast and hops. They craft brews that are both enjoyable and sessionable, yet are notorious for their range of seasonal beers that are challenging in style, but also designed around what tastes great and suits the seasonal changes. Imperial Stouts in the dead of winter, Harvest beers in Autumn and the famed celebratory Abbey Ale for Christmas. Red Hill Brewery never stop experimenting, using local produce such as cherries, honey and truffles, or techniques such as dry hopping, cask conditioning or aging in oak barrels with other liquors, bringing some of the most interesting and flavour packed brews to the taps to enjoy. There is always something new to try and something to excite the craft beer lovers.

Try the cider at Mock Orchards

In 1895 the Mock Family planted their first orchard just outside Melbourne. Five generations later, they continue to grow apples in the picturesque hinterland of Red Hill at Mock Red Hill. Today they invite you to visit the orchard to sample a delicious range of certified bio-dynamic products, including apple cider, juices and freeze-dried fruits. The most recent addition to Mock Red Hill is their Cider Lounge, a unique cellar door space offering sensory tasting experiences within an original wooden cool store, built on the orchard in 1945. After enjoying a tasting, kick back and relax with a cold cider and cheese plate, made from locally grown produce, cheeses and of course their very own dried fruit range. Organic tea, coffee, hot chocolate and apple treats available from the cafe. Before you head off, purchase a selection of your preferred goodies and take the experience home with you. Licensed Cider lounge and cafe open daily from 10:00 am for tastings and sales.

Wander the Montalto Sculpture Trail

Sculpture is an integral part of life at Montalto and a highlight of any visit to the estate. The Montalto Vineyard Sculpture Trail winds its way through the property and the beautiful natural gallery provides diverse settings for the pieces. You might find monumental works sited in open spaces through to more intimate pieces amongst the wetlands and vines. The Sculpture Trail takes in the permanent collection of over 30 pieces, joined from February through to end of August by the annual Montalto Sculpture Prize Exhibition of Finalists. The Montalto Sculpture Prize is open to artists working in any medium. Finalists are invited to install their work towards the end of January, at which time the judges will determine a winner, announced at the opening in February. The winning sculpture wins its creator $40,000 and Montalto acquires the work. The Mitchell Family Award, a $1,000 non-acquisitive award, is also announced at the opening. Visitors can vote for their favourite work. The artist whose sculpture receives the most votes receives $1,000. Announced at the close of the exhibition. All of the finalists’ works, with the exception of the winning piece, are available for purchase.

Have a private picnic and dine at Montalto

Montalto is a place where you can celebrate life and enjoy a moment out of the ordinary. Montalto is a family-owned and run estate where produce is grown, shared and celebrated. The home estate of 30 acres under vine is the primary source for their wine range, and the productive kitchen garden and orchards, and 1500 olive trees supply the kitchens. Montalto produce premium cool climate wine on the Mornington Peninsula, a beautiful region with rolling hills, orchards, olive groves, historic mansions, and over 200 vineyards specialising in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Have lunch at The Epicurean

The Epicurean Red Hill is a landmark property offering something for everyone visiting the Mornington Peninsula, even if it's just to step your toes in for a taste of Red Hill agricultural history. However, for those requiring a good dose of warm hospitality mixed with some perfectly prepared Italian dishes and wine, sourced from premium local produce, then The Epicurean experience will not disappoint. The Shed is the principle dining space and ‘cucina’ style restaurant that showcases an Italian-inspired menu, which focuses on honest, regional produce complemented by wine from over 50 Vignerons from the Mornington Peninsula. If privacy is your requirement, four uniquely styled event spaces are offered to suit all types of gathering. The kitchen offers shared style menu concepts that capture a relaxed, Mediterranean style of dining perfect for any celebration with friends and family. If you only need a quick snack or coffee, Johnny Ripe is located at the front of the building offering delicious baked goods, continental cafe fare, homewares and local produce to take home and enjoy. Locally roasted coffee beans from Little Rebel Coffee are used and paired perfectly with pastries and honest sweet treats from Johnny Ripe.

Go to the Red Hill Market

Since 1975 the iconic Red Hill Community Market is the place to be on the first Saturday of the month from September to May. Stallholders are masters of their trade, all products offered being expertly made and professionally presented with an essence of the maker’s humility evident. A whole range of exciting foods and beverages are represented, all fresh and tempting. Expect seasonal injections of local fruits and benches full of homegrown vegetables. A huge selection of unique culinary delights makes a mouth-watering taste feast. Consider original design pieces for the garden made from materials such as wrought iron and bronze feature. There is a good range of plants and colourful fresh flowers. Parking is simple, straight forward and close by. Stallholders are renowned for their hospitality, so leaving full shopping bags for last-minute pickup is usually no problem. Over the years these markets have become a meeting place for people from all walks of life as there is a marvellous variety of food to sample in a cheerful atmosphere and an extraordinarily wide selection of high-quality crafts to buy.

Visit during cherry season!

Pick your own sweet and morello cherries at Red Hill Cherry Farm. With 50 years of pick your own cherries, Red Hill Cherry Farm is the oldest in the state and are considered an essential visit when on the Mornington Peninsula. You can visit the cherry farm from mid to late November to early to mid-January each year. Situated in a secluded valley in the centre of Red Hill, the cherry farm is the oldest in the state and has been continually been operated by the Holmes family since 1969. There are twenty-five varieties of cherries on 4,500 trees. The farm also offers a boutique range of cherry products for you to enjoy cherries all year round including cherry ice cream, cherry cordial, cherry beer, cherry cider and cherry port. There is something for everyone at Red Hill Cherry Farm.

Go wine tasting at Main Ridge Estate

Welcome to the Mornington Peninsula's first licensed winery, established in 1975 by pioneering vignerons Nat and Rosalie White. Main Ridge Estate's enviable reputation was built on a 44 year heritage of making benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, only from estate-grown fruit, carefully crafted to express the season and the site. Since the White's retired in 2015, the Sexton family has successfully carried on those winemaking traditions. Drawing on the Sexton's history in the hospitality industry, cellar doors visitors are looked after by winemaker James Sexton and his family. Visitors enjoy Main Ridge Estate's renowned wine in a beautiful and tranquil setting, with good casual dining, and warm hospitality.

Visit Gordon Studio Glassblowers

Established in 1990 by Eileen Gordon and Grant Donaldson, Gordon Studio Glassblowers is a hot glass studio and gallery based in Red Hill. Representing the Gordon Family, the Gallery encompasses art glass ranging from exquisite traditional cameo and contemporary carved and engraved glass to colourful hand-blown vases, bowls, platters, bottles and animals. Magnificent indoor and outdoor art glass sculptures and commissioned work are also displayed. From the Gallery, there is a viewing mezzanine where you can watch the glassblowers when working. This ancient form of art is created from a molten glass made from sand in the furnace, heated up to 1300 degrees Celsius, making it one of the most expensive forms of art to produce and the hardest to learn.

Visit Paringa Estate

Paringa Estate winery was established by owner and winemaker Lindsay McCall in 1985. Situated on the Mornington Peninsula in beautiful Red Hill amongst ten acres of vines. Most famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they also produce one of the countries top cool-climate Shiraz. The property hosts a Cellar Door which is open every day from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm where they showcase their iconic line-up of wines. If you arrive on the weekend you will get the opportunity to taste their single vineyard wines which are included in the famous Langtons Classification. The restaurant attached to the vineyard is a multi award-winning, modern European restaurant, with its most recent awards being Best Restaurant in a Winery at the National Restaurant and Caterers Awards for Excellence as well as retaining their Hat in The Age Good Food Guide. With magnificent valley views from every table, the restaurant provides an intimate dining atmosphere for either a relaxed lunch or sophisticated dinner. Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Friday and Saturday night. Paringa Estate is closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. For any further information please view their website.

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