Day Trip To Red Hill in Victoria, Australia
Visit Mornington Peninsula's Wineries, Olive Grove And Galleries
May 13, 2009 Alison Stieven-Taylor
Red Hill is nestled in the hinterland hills of Mornington Peninsula a comfortable drive from Melbourne - 73km’s south of the city. Home to some of the state’s best winemakers, dairy producers and artists, it is surprising how many activities can be packed into a day trip.
Montalto Vineyard And Olive Grove
Run by the Mitchell family Montalto is much more than a winery. The grounds feature a unique combination of vineyards, olive trees, vegetable and herb gardens, fruit and nut orchards and natural wetlands. Plus there are wine and olive oil tastings and a restaurant.
From the piazza dining area visitors can look out over the vineyards and also admire the large sculptures that dot the lawns.
Montalto Olive oil is fresh and light. There are specialty varieties including lemon infused and basil infused oils. And the Montalto Verjuice is highly sought after.
Under the brands Montalto and Pennon Hill are a range of varietals including riesling, pinot noir and pinot grigio.
The restaurant has won a number of awards including a chef’s hat from the Age Good Food Guide that proclaimed "everything good about eating and drinking on the Mornington Peninsula comes together here…Montalto understands the Peninsula's strengths and truly shines".
Red Hill Cheese
Trevor and Jan Brandon have been making cheese at Red Hill since 2000, although Jan will tell you that Trevor’s love of cheesemaking had turned their laundry into a makeshift cheesery long before they established the current production facility.
Portsea Picnic was the first cheese produced by Red Hill Cheese. This semi-hard savory goat’s cheese has been a favourite since its inception and as many times as Trevor has attempted to remove it from his range his customers have demanded it stay.
Today Red Hill Cheese produces a variety of superior, handcrafted cheeses including specialties such as sheep’s blue which is produced as a limited edition, and the award-winning goat’s milk cheese. Often visitors will discover a new addition to the range as Trevor enjoys experimenting with different styles.
T’Gallant Winery
Winemaker Kevin McCarthy of T’Gallant was the first to plant pinot gris and pinot grigio grapes on the Peninsula. These grapes favour a cooler climate and have thrived in the region with pinot gris one of the most successful wines on the Mornington Peninsula.
T’Gallant offers a rustic experience to the visitor with its al fresco areas framed by fig vines adding to the Italian theming of its eateries. The winery features two dining experiences. La Baracca Trattoria with its seasonal menu and locally sourced produce is a wonderful choice if you want to while away a lazy afternoon lunching or choose a venue for a special evening out.
The more casual Spuntino Bar is geared towards families and is very child friendly. Its menu features a selection of wood-fired pizza including classic Italian recipes such as Pomodoro and Basilica (fresh tomato and basil). Bar meals can be enjoyed with a variety of wines by the glass.
Ceramic Artists And Glassblowers
Red Hill is home to numerous artists including ceramicist Marion Rosetzky whose gallery is filled with ceramic beads, plates, bowls and her signature hand painted tiles. These tiles are individually crafted and feature Persian style designs in bright colours. Marion produces single tiles, but also will create special orders.
The Gordon Studio Glassblowers Gallery features an exquisite range of glass works from small pieces to major installations. The Gallery currently has two artists in residence – Eileen Gordon and Grant Donaldson. The Studio runs regular events and workshops where visitors can experience the wonders of glassblowing.
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Montalto Sculpture
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