What to do on the Mornington Peninsula
Framed by two spectacular coastlines and just one hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula offers some of Australia's best food and wine, golf, adventure and leisure activities. Gourmet Traveller calls it an ideal food lovers weekend, but beyond the selection of sumptuous food and wine dished up by over cellar doors and wineries on Jackalope's doorstep, the region's array of surf and sheltered bay beaches, natural hot springs, national parks, and golf courses, contribute to the perfect mix of coastal and country reverie.
Imagine strolling through lush coastal bushland as the sun starts to go down on another great day on the Mornington Peninsula. Hear the stirring of crickets and feel the cool breeze across your shoulders as you approach St Andrews Ocean Beach. Walk onto the warm, golden sand and catch your breath as you watch the beautiful colours descend on the horizon.
In the winery adjacent to Jackalope, Geraldine McFaul, one of Australia’s finest exponents of cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, continues her thoughtful approach to winemaking.
The Heart of the Winemaker Tour offers a personal and beautifully pitched journey into Geraldine’s innovative and influential winemaking style through the eyes of her husband, Arthur O’Bryan. Arthur is founder of Plunge Wine Tours, a private tour company for discerning guests passionate about wine. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of regional produce and wines and offers a bespoke journey that traces his wife’s winemaking career.
Your day begins in the region’s first vineyard, celebrated in Arthur’s book, Elgee Park, the first 40 years. Here, amidst a Santa Gertrudis cattle farm and quarter-horse stud, you taste Geraldine’s vintage sparkling wine from 45-year-old vines while enjoying the Myer family’s sculpture park and Aboriginal art collection, also part of this iconic 1000-acre estate.
A drive to Western Port Bay and Point Leo Estate winery and Sculpture Park feature a building of international stature. Here Geraldine’s early mentor, Tod Dexter has created a range of fruity, lightly-structured wines made from young vines, enjoyed while overlooking the sculpture park and stunning ocean views.
A Drive to Stonier reveals some of the region’s most exceptional vineyard sites. Here, Geraldine’s innovative spirit led to the monopole program distinguished by the powerful KBS Chardonnay and the whole-bunch fermented Windmill Vineyard Pinot Noir. The Stonier single vineyard range continues to be amongst the region’s most sought- after wines. In the winery’s cellar door, you’ll taste these wines alongside current release wines that illustrate the region’s third oldest vineyard and the evolution of style.
The journey continues with an exploration of the Willow Creek vineyards and winery at Jackalope Hotel where you will be guided through the entire range of Rare Hare and Willow Creek Estate wines with a tutored tasting distinguished by either an out-of-barrel tasting with Geraldine or a tasting of recent vintage wines yet to be available to the public. Your late casual lunch will include a seasonal menu featuring a choice of three courses served with your choice of current and back-vintage wines chosen by Chef Guy Stanway as perfectly suited to his stunning cuisine. After lunch, a How Wine is made Masterclass is conducted in the barrel room by Arthur with further input from his wife winemaker, Geraldine McFaul.
Tour available through Jackalope Hotel exclusively. Price $440 per person. Bookings via Jackalope Guest Services on (03) 5931 2500.