Victoria – Bellarine Peninsula – wine, mussels and surf
Head west for a great day or weekend out of Melbourne
Louise Johnson
Scotchman's Hill Estate on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria [©Visions of Victoria]
A great day trip from Melbourne, the Bellarine Peninsula offers a great escape with calm Port Phillip bay on one side and the surf beaches of the Bass Straight on the other.
This day long itinerary is quite short, partly because the stops suggested are worth lingering at, and partly because it’s well worth taking the time between tastings to drive around the area and take in the magnificent views back towards Geelong and Melbourne.
Stop 1 – wine tasting
The property, Coatsworth Farm, was first developed in 1997 when partners David Smith and Robert Bennett & Kerry Jones purchased the 32 hectares (80 acre) undeveloped grazing property. But wine isn’t all they do, South Devon beef cattle and Perendale ewes crossed with White Suffolk rams to produce prime lambs, graze in the paddocks beyond the vines.
Ecologically sustainable farming principles are important here, with indigenous plantings and water storage areas where many varieties of wading, migratory and water birds are to be found.
Open: by appointment only, so make sure you call ahead and let them know you’re coming
145 Coatsworth Road
Portarlington VIC 3223
Tel: 0409 429 608
VisitVineyards.com links:
Stop 2 – wine tasting
A family owned vineyard and winery Scotchmans Hill is famous for its complex, elegant and consistent wines. Vines were first planted at Scotchmans Hill by David and Vivienne Browne in 1982 and it was the second vineyard in the region. The original plantings consisted of two acres each of Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay.
You must taste:
- 2006 Swan Bay Pinot – like fresh picked, shiny cherries that you can’t get inot your mouth fast enough, says Taste 2009 and we agree!
Open: 10.30 – 4.30 daily
190 Scotchmans Road
Drysdale VIC 3222
Tel: 03 5251 3176
VisitVineyards.com links:
Stop 3 – beer, wine, produce and lunch
A great cellar door with wine tasting as well as some of the best local produce available for purchase. Ask for wine and food matching tips, especially if you are planning a menu and want some help. The Bellarine Brewing Company also operates from this venue and produces the only micro brewed beer on the Bellarine Peninsula. Established in 2007, the brewery produces exceptional quality lagers, ales, pilsners and stouts.
Lunch at Julian’s Restaurant and led head chef Simon Fawcett temp you with the tastes of the Bellarine. Local produce is highlighted and matched with estate wines and Bellarine Brewing Company range of beers. The dining room overlooks the vineyard and with views to Corio Bay.
Open 11.00am - 4.00pm Mon-Fri, 10.30am-4.30pm weekends
2270 Portarlington Road
Bellarine VIC 3223
Tel: 03 5259 3310
VisitVineyards.com links:
Stop 4 – wine tasting
A charming spot with amazing views toward Melbourne, and just a short walk up from the Portarlington’s black mussel farms, which can be seen from the vineyard down in the bay.
The only winery on the Bellarine Peninsula producing methode traditionale style wines, they have been commended for consistency in quality given the large portfolio of wines.
Open daily 10.30 am – 5pm
Restaurant open Friday and Saturdays for evening meals
85 McAdams Lane
Bellarine VIC 3223
Tel: 03 5251 2223
VisitVineyards.com links:
Stop 5 – don't go home without fresh mussels
Before you head home head up to Portarlington and get some mussels fresh from the sea. Aussie Blue Mussels have a retail outlet selling the local speciality, along with excellent oysters, calamari, snapper, flounder, trout, atlantic salmon, gummy shark, flathead and more.
42 Geelong Road
Portarlington VIC 3223
Tel: 03 5259 3088
VisitVineyards.com link:
Regions
- Bellarine Peninsula (VIC)
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