Victoria - hidden in Moorooduc
Sara Schwarz
Jill, Richard and Samwise in the courtyard at Moorooduc Estate vineyard and Jill's restaurant [©Moorooduc Estate]
Avoid the crowds at Portsea and Red Hill and discover the hidden delights of the Moorooduc region instead.
Only 65 kilometres from central Melbourne, Moorooduc is home to a host of award-winning wineries, a distinguished luxury country hotel and one of the most interesting restaurant experiences around. We recommend you make a weekend of it - you won’t be disappointed.
Check below for current offers from our partner vineyards and producers to make you tour even more unique.
Day One
Stop 1 - B’darra Estate
B’darra Estate’s owners, Linda and Gavin Perry are slowly turning what was a flat cow paddock into a little piece of paradise. In addition to planting a selection of vines, the Perry’s have planted hundreds of indigenous trees throughout the property and also have put in a sizeable dam and wetland area to which native birds are flocking, especially in these drier times.
The Perry’s have a small range of estate grown and made wines on tasting each weekend that can be enjoyed along with local Blue Bay Cheese and antipasto platters. Sit back and watch the birdlife from the deck in summer or enjoy the warmth of their roaring fire in the cooler months. For the sweet toothed among us, B’Darra’s famous RasPERRY wine is one not to be missed!
View B'darra Estate's Members offer here
Open every weekend from 11am to 5pm
1415 Stumpy Gully Road, Moorooduc 3933
Tel: 03 5978 8447
Stop 2 - Phaedrus Estate
Ewan and Maitena Campbell of Phaedrus Estate deserve our admiration. Their pinot noirs are well crafted and expressive, their vineyards are well tended and Ewan fits in time to make wine for a select number of local vignerons. They also have 4 children under 10! Describing themselves as ‘a modern winery utilizing state-of-the-art, ultra-premium, award-wining locally made gumboots and employing only the most experienced and highly-trained yeasts’, a visit to Phaedrus Estate is sure to be a rewarding experience. Their wines sell out fast each year!
View Phaedrus Estate's Members offer here
Open every weekend from 11am to 5pm
220 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc 3933
Tel: 03 5978 8134
Stop 3 - Jones Road Cellar Door
With views across the vineyards and fields of Moorooduc, the verandah of the Jones Rd Cellar Door is just the place to enjoy a relaxed lunch and to sample some more local wines. Englishman, Rob Frewer and family produce a Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot under two labels – Jones Rd and Jnr Jones. The restaurant serves a range of rustic pizzas from the wood-fired oven along with a small selection of entrees and mains, with a popular roast available each Sunday. There is live music most weekends throughout the warmer months.
View the Jones Road Members offer here
Open every weekend from 11am to 5pm and also Mondays and Fridays throughout Summer.
2 Godings Road, Moorooduc 3933
Tel: 03 5978 8080
Stop 4 - Woodman Estate Luxury Country Hotel and Day Spa
Currently celebrating their 10th year of operation, Woodman Estate Luxury Country Hotel has earned an international reputation for understated opulence and sophistication. This refined country manor is nestled in amongst 50 acres of native bush, rolling hills, extensive formal gardens and a magical private lake.
What better way to spend an afternoon than with a spa treatment or one of Woodman’s tailored revitalization programs. Afterwards enjoy the regionally focused cuisine at the renowned Woodman’s restaurant formal dining room and then relax and reflect on your day as you watch the water birds glide by from your private balcony in one of Woodman’s luxury Lakeside Chalets. The ultimate in luxury, these Chalets feature a mahogany four poster bed, marble ensuite and spa, open fire and an expansive deck overlooking the water.
View Woodman's Estate's Members offers here
136 Graydens Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933
Tel: 03 5978 8455
Day Two
Two of the most established wineries on the Mornington Peninsula are be found only a short drive from Woodman Estate.
Stop 1 - Dromana Estate
Begin your (late) morning with a wine tasting at Dromana Estate, set in amidst the elegant grounds of historic Tuerong Park. With the largest range of wines on the Mornington Peninsula, Dromana’s knowledgeable and friendly cellar door staff will ensure you will find a wine to satisfy even the fussiest of palates. If a little early to begin imbibing, perhaps begin your day with a quality cup of coffee from the café with its views looking out over the gardens.
View Dromana Estate's Members offer here
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm
555 Old Moorooduc Road, Tuerong 3933
Tel: 03 5974 4400
Stop 2 - Moorooduc Estate
Moorooduc Estate was established by Richard and Jill McIntyre over twenty years ago as a weekend hobby, soon however it became the family’s full time obsession. Dr Richard McIntyre was a recent finalist in the 2008 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year Awards and daughter Kate is currently undertaking her Master of Wine exams, while wife Jill has established the wonderful Jill’s restaurant within the winery’s elegant re-inforced earth walls. Ensure you try ‘The Moorooduc’ Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, some of the finest examples of these varietals you will find on the Peninsula.
The winery is also staffed by a number of intelligent wine dogs and a rogue peacock.
The cellar door is open for tastings and wine sales Thursday to Monday, 11am to 4pm. The restaurant onsite - Jills @ Moorooduc - is open Saturdays for dinner and for lunch Saturday and Sunday.
View Moorooduc Estate's members offers here
501 Derril Road, Moorooduc 3933
Tel: 03 5971 8506
Stop 3 - Barak Estate
This is truly one of the Mornington Peninsula’s hidden gems. Turning off Bentons Road onto unmade side road for a kilometre or so, you will find yourself in front of a large recycled timber edifice being warmly greeted by Amanda Graham and her team at Wine Foods Restaurant. Inside the sizeable front door, take in the unique atmosphere Amanda has created, with chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceilings, antique chairs strewn around and long tables laden with jugs of home-made ginger ale & lemonade, vases filled marinated mushrooms and bottles of estate grown wine.
For a set fee, an afternoon of indulgence and possible button popping is ahead of you with dish after dish of terrines, meats, salads, quiches and tarts delivered to the table. In between courses, you are invited to wander the grounds, play a game of petanque or simply sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Barak Estate's Wine Foods Restaurant opens only for group bookings (minimum 8-10), ensuring Amanda and her staff can give you their complete attention, so you will need to arrange for a few friends to meet you there – what better way to end a Moorooduc weekend.
Open for groups only (minimum 8 – 10)
Barak Road, Moorooduc 3933
Tel: 0400 151 757 or 03 5976 4004
View Barak Estate's Members offer here
Regions
- Melbourne Surrounds (VIC)
- Mornington Peninsula (VIC)
Our Recommendations
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MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com members can enjoy informative and fun meet the winemaker luncheons at B'darra Estate
MEMBER BENEFIT: Dromana Estate, situated at the historic Tuerong Park property offer VisitVineyards.com members access to exclusive dinners and museum wine stock »
Take advantage of an exclusive VisitVineyards.com members' discount of 15% on wine purchases.
Attend an exclusive open day at Moorooduc Estate and enjoy access to new release wines.
Jills at Moorooduc Estate invite VisitVineyards.com members to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with their meal.
MEMBER BENEFIT: Enjoy the wines, the views and take advantage of the dining discount for VisitVineyards.com members »
MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com Members stay and enjoy a complimentary upgrade with any mid week stay.
MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com members receive a complimentary glass of wine when dining at Woodman Estate.
MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com Members enjoy a tasty treat with their luxury spa treatment
MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com members can take advantage of an exclusive discount at B'Darra Estate.
MEMBER BENEFIT: VisitVineyards.com members are invited to experience a gourmet feast with a difference at Barak Estate in Moorooduc.
It started with a simple plan to produce wine and continue to work full-time as a surgeon, but Moorooduc Estate winemaker Richard McIntyre and his wife Jill were ... had no idea it would become three intertwined wine and food businesses.
The Dromana Estate Cellar Door and Cafe, one of the stars of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, is located within the historic Tuerong homestead, just off the Mornington ... read more
At Moorooduc Estate on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, the land was found and purchased in 1982 after an extensive search for a promising vineyard site. read more
Phaedrus Estate, located at Moorooduc on the Mornington Peninsula, is a modern winery utilising state-of-theart, ultra-premium award-wining, locally made gumboots ... read more
Barak Estate is located at Moorooduc at Northern Mornington Peninsula. Barak Estate has been making wines for well over 15 years & produces a rather distinguished ... read more
B'darra Estate is nestled in the warm flats of Moorooduc on the Mornington Peninsula. A 10 minute drive from Frankston and Mornington and an hour south of Melbourne. read more
Established in 1982, Moorooduc Estate on the Mornington Peninsula, offers the finest hand crafted wines - specialising in 'wild yeast' fermented Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. read more
Barak Estate is located at Moorooduc at Northern Mornington Peninsula. Barak Estate has been making wines for well over 15 years & produces a rather distinguished ... read more
B'darra Estate is nestled in the warm flats of Moorooduc on the Mornington Peninsula. A 10 minute drive from Frankston and Mornington and an hour south of Melbourne. read more
Woodman Estate Spa Retreat
A beautiful spa sanctuary in the heart of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, the Woodman Estate Spa is nestled in 50 acres of fragrant bushland and overlooks a magnificent ... read more
The Frewer family establised Jones Road in Moorooduc on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, taking over Ermes Estate. It is in a picturesque location overlooking fields. read more
In the heart of the Mornington Peninsula is a magnificent lakeside estate, and only 60 minutes from downtown Melbourne. Woodman Estate is your complete destination ... read more
In the heart of the Mornington Peninsula is a magnificent lakeside estate, and only 60 minutes from downtown Melbourne. Woodman Estate is your complete destination ... read more
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