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Victoria – Melbourne – Get out of town for a vineyard lunch

Great country dining within an hour from the city

By Robyn Lewis

Vines of Red Hill, licensed restaurant and vineyard, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria [©Vines of Red Hill]

There are some great country lunching places not far from Melbourne to enjoy on a day off or a lazy weekend – and they're good for showcasing Victoria to visiting out-of-towners.

Mornington Peninsula:

• Voted Australia’s best vineyard restaurant, it's always good – any wine and food lover would enjoy Montalto and its surrounding garden, sculpture walk and views, and there's an outdoor bistro area for more casual occasions.
• Also right up there in quality and with great service is Salix at Willow Creek. The food is as delicious as ever.
• Looking for somewhere new? Try the spectacular Port Phillip Estate, especially if you enjoy modern surrounds and fabulous views.
• Red Hill Cellars Order your gourmet picnic basket in advance – full of local produce and a few gourmet favourites from interstate and overseas, then find a spot overlooking one of the Peninsula's wild back beaches. Enjoy the view, devour the basket!
• Stillwater at Crittenden (Dromana) For a family friendly lunch – first treat yourself to a wine tasting in the Crittenden cellar door and sample estate-made produce, before settling in for a magnificent three course luncheon in the dining room. Stroll around the lake and finish with a coffee on the terrace – the perfect family lunch!
• Something smaller, quieter and a bit different – Bittern Cottage, just south of Hastings on the eastern side, when you can experience European-style lunches, sharing tables and enjoying Noel and Jenny Burrows' own menu du jour;
• La Petanque – for a delightful and relaxing touch of France on Red Hill. Right up there in quality.
• Pier 10   – fancy a lively lunch with a bit of jazz on the side, perhaps? Then check our Pier 10.
• Vines of Red Hill, for a classical lunch in vineyard surrounds.

Yarra Valley:

• Mandala is one of the Valley's best wine and food destinations. Very special. 
• De Bortoli – always a favourite, especially for Italian food lovers.
• Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander – if you enjoy a casual, upbeat atmosphere, this is it. Wood-fired pizzas, bakery, cafe and beer on tap as well as wines.
• Yering Station offers you both formal and informal dining, with views across the Valley to the Dandenong Ranges.
• Domaine Chandon – warm up with a wine tasting (don't miss their sparkling wine) then stay for lunch. Another great place to take your visiting guests from overseas.
• Tarrawarra Estate – enjoy some art, then match wine with your lunch in the Wine Bar Cafe.

Geelong/Melbourne West:

• Shadowfax – lunches here are bit more edgy and informal.
• Pettavel – award-winning food, for modern food-lovers, great wines too.
• Sunnybrae with George Biron – one of our all time favourites, in the village of Birregurra. Allow the entire afternoon!
• Spray Farm on the Bellarine Peninsula; lovely views especially.

Macedon Ranges:

Head to the township of Kyneton – there are way too many good places to eat for one small town and it's only an hour from Melbourne.

• Annie Smithers Bistrot for French-inspired use of local produce and award-winning style.
• Royal George Hotel – serious food, serious wine, serious fun. There are many more to choose from in this foodie town!

Or perhaps you might like to spoil yourself and make a weekend of it. Stay at

• Kyneton Ridge Estate, just 8km from the centre of Kyneton. Bed and Breakfast accommodation, fantastic views, friendly cafe onsite, good wines and a roaring fireplace in winter.

Also overnight –

Mornington Peninsula:

• Woodman Estate – Luxury boutique accommodation, restaurant and day spa in Merricks on the east of the Mornington Peninsula. Treat yourself to a divine high tea and perhaps a massage at the day spa as well.

Yarra Valley:

• Ainsworth Estate, family-owned and operated boutique winery, restaurant and luxury accommodation. Wine tastings and meals in a relaxed friendly environment with spectacular views across the valley, or for a total indulgence stay overnight in one of the three luxurious self-contained one bedroom apartments.

Can’t get out of town? Maybe treat yourself to a great book about wine or beer or a wonderful cookbook. Check out our Top 12 for 2011.

• VisitVineyards.com's Top 12 Cookbooks of 2011 – What’s made the VisitVineyards.com Top Dozen food books this year? Which inspired us, made us want to rush into our kitchens, and filled us with dreams? 
• VisitVineyards.com's Top 12 Wine and Beer Books of 2011 – Our annual Top 12 Wine and Beer Books of 2011 provides some great inspiration for the festive season. This year, there’s a bit more quirk and international wine flavour in our top dozen, as well as the reliably good wine guides.

Regions

• Melbourne Surrounds (VIC)

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Jancis Robinson

This summer, the Mornington Peninsula will once again be filled with the sounds of world-class music at the annual Peninsula Summer Music Festival »